This pantry staple is famous for thickening sauces and stews without changing the flavor. It's an essential ingredient you should always have on hand. But if or when you don't have any cornstarch (it's bound to happen) refer to this guide for the best cornstarch substitutes to use in a pinch.
What Is Cornstarch and What Is It Used For?
Cornstarch is made from the endosperm found at the center of a corn kernel. The starches inside the endosperm are removed, rinsed, dried, and then milled into a fine powder, leaving us with cornstarch as we know it. It's not to be confused with corn flour, which is made from whole kernels.
This chalky, white powder can be used in many ways, making it an absolute must-have in the kitchen and beyond. Most commonly, however, it's used as a thickener in sauces, stews, and custards. It makes a great thickening agent because it's made up of a long chain of starch molecules that unravel and swell when heated in the presence of moisture.
5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
If cornstarch is well-loved in your kitchen, you're bound to run out from time to time. Here are five of the best cornstarch substitutes for all your thickening needs.
1. All-Purpose Flour
Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. Although it won't produce the same glossy shine as cornstarch, it'll get the job done in a pinch. All-purpose flour contains about half the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to substitute two tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
2. Arrowroot Powder
If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. But one caveat about arrowroot — it doesn't hold or reheat well, so it's best to use this option when you'll be serving your dish immediately. Substitute one tablespoon of arrowroot powder for one tablespoon of cornstarch.
3. Potato Starch
Like arrowroot, this starch is a strong thickener, but it doesn't last long after cooking, so you'll want to eat whatever you're cooking as soon as possible. Potato starch also has the same thickening power as cornstarch, so you don't have to change the measurement. Substitute one tablespoon of potato starch for one tablespoon of cornstarch.
4. Rice Flour
Like all-purpose flour, rice flour has half the thickening power of cornstarch, so you're going to want to use two tablespoons of rice flour for every one tablespoon of cornstarch called for. It's also colorless when added to recipes, making it great for use in clear liquids.
5. Tapioca Starch
Tapioca is a flavorless ingredient that is extracted from cassava, a root vegetable found throughout South America. It doesn't have quite the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to use two tablespoons of tapioca starch. You'll want to avoid boiling tapioca starch as this can cause the thickened liquid to become stringy.
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FAQs
Cornstarch may be a convenient and cost-effective remedy for skin irritation, though little research supports its efficacy for this use. All the same, many people use it to soothe sunburns and reduce skin itchiness. Mix cornstarch and a few drops of water in a bowl until it forms a paste the thickness of peanut butter.
What is cornstarch good for besides cooking? ›
Cornstarch may be a convenient and cost-effective remedy for skin irritation, though little research supports its efficacy for this use. All the same, many people use it to soothe sunburns and reduce skin itchiness. Mix cornstarch and a few drops of water in a bowl until it forms a paste the thickness of peanut butter.
Which starch is best for thickening? ›
To say one starch is better than another is simply not the case. Because of the various features these starches possess, it's not a one-size-fits-all scenario. While cornstarch might work better in certain soups, potato starch works better at thickening dishes like macaroni and cheese.
Is tapioca starch the same as cornstarch? ›
Tapioca Starch
This neutral-flavored ingredient comes from the cassava root. It's less potent than cornstarch, so you'll need about 2 tablespoons tapioca for every 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Unlike cornstarch, which begins to break down when frozen, tapioca stays strong.
What is a healthier option than cornstarch? ›
Easy-to-access alternatives are wheat flour, arrowroot flour, and rice flour. These are good alternatives to cornstarch because they are more nutritious and contain fewer carbohydrates and calories.
What is one downside to cornstarch? ›
Cornstarch is high in calories and carbs but low in essential nutrients. It may also increase blood sugar levels and harm heart health.
Which starch is better for baking? ›
Organic Corn Starch
It is a preferred ingredient for cooking and baking because it thickens at lower temperatures compared to flour, and results in a silky texture without imparting any taste or hue to the dish.
What is the best thickener for cooking? ›
- Cornstarch. Cornstarch is the most common thickening agent used in the industry.
- Pre-gelatinized Starches. Pre-gelatinized starches are mixed with sugar and then added to the water or juice.
- Arrowroot.
- Agar-Agar.
- Algin (Sodium Alginate)
- Gelatin.
- Gum Arabic or Acacia.
- Gum Tragacanth.
5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
- All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
- Arrowroot Powder. If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. ...
- Potato Starch. ...
- Rice Flour. ...
- Tapioca Starch.
All-purpose flour is an easy substitute for cornstarch; in fact you may see recipes for thickening pie fillings or soups with either. You'll need 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a recipe.
Let the protein sit for about 15 minutes before stir-frying. With this method, the protein is not oil- or water-blanched. Note: If you are allergic to cornstarch, tapioca starch or potato flour can be substituted.
What can I use instead of cornstarch for frying? ›
Cornstarch Substitute for Fried Foods
Try rice flour or potato flour instead of cornstarch to coat protein or veggies before frying. In a pinch, you can also use all-purpose flour, but your fried foods won't be as crispy.
Does cornstarch expire? ›
Good news: Cornstarch is one of those baking staples that can last for years and doesn't really expire. If cornstarch does go bad, it's usually because moisture or pests have been able to get to it—and you'll notice it immediately. It may have an off taste or flavor (think sour or "funky"), or an off color.
Is cornstarch necessary in baking? ›
Cornstarch not only acts as a thickening agent, but it can also be used in baked goods like cookies, brownies and cakes. If you're searching for more structure in your favorite dessert recipe, then cornstarch might be just the ingredient you need!
Can I use cream of tartar instead of cornstarch? ›
No. Cornstarch is a starch used for thickening, while cream of tartar is an acid used for leavening, stabilizing, and preventing crystallization. They play totally different roles in baking and are not considered substitutes for one another.
What fun things can you do with cornstarch? ›
15 Ways to Play with Cornstarch (Cornflour)
- DIY Bouncy Balls - Easy Tutorial to Make Super Bouncy Balls! ...
- Rainbow Spaghetti Sensory Activity. ...
- 2 ingredient cloud dough. ...
- Ditch the Chalk! ...
- Aqua Sand Recipe. ...
- How To Make Cornstarch Slime - 5 Easy Recipes To Make Now! ...
- Edible Water Beads.
When the corn starch comes into contact with the hot oil, it forms a barrier that traps moisture within the potato while also developing a crunchy crust. This results in fries that are both tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, mimicking the texture of fries you might find in restaurants.
What does cornstarch do to meat? ›
Cornstarch is the foundation of Chinese cooking and this magical pantry ingredient is commonly used to thicken soups, stews and sauces. It's also the primary ingredient in making a slurry to coat the meat. Chen says cornstarch helps the meat retain moisture while it cooks, thus yielding a silkier texture.
What are the benefits of cornstarch? ›
Cornstarch also contains a small amount of dietary fiber. Americans typically don't get enough dietary fiber, so even the little bit in cornstarch can help. Finally, cornstarch is sometimes used to help people with glycogen storage diseases like severe fasting hypoglycemia.
