Best Cornstarch Substitutes

Learn about the 5 best cornstarch substitutes to keep in your kitchen.

Cornstarch in clear glass bowl with full container on wood table.

Growing up, we always had a yellow container of cornstarch in our cabinet (the one with the blue lid). It was used in many dishes and we liked to use it for science experiments.

Sometimes I need a cornstarch substitute. Whether it’s for flavor or accommodating dietary preferences, sometimes we all need a starch alternative.

Here is a list of the best cornstarch substitutes to try:

1. Arrowroot Powder.

My first choice cornstarch substitute is Arrowroot Powder. It has a very neutral taste and it produces a nice, shiny sauce.

It may be substituted in an approximately equal amount to cornstarch, but may need to be cooked a bit longer to get the same effect.

2. Tapioca Starch.

Tapioca is usually my second choice to Arrowroot Powder. I prefer to grind it fresh in my food mill. It’s also less expensive than Arrowroot Powder if budget it a concern.

You can usually substitute 2 teaspoons of Tapioca Starch in place of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

3. Potato Starch.

The first corn starch substitute I tried Potato Starch. It’s usually available in the baking aisle and works well for gravy and many other things.

Just substitute 2 teaspoons for every tablespoon of cornstarch.

4. Rice Starch.

Another alternative you can try if none of the other options work for you is rice starch.

Like tapioca and potato starch, you’ll need to substitute 2 teaspoons of rice starch for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

These are our favorite alternatives to cornstarch. We hope you find a new favorite substitute too.

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