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Cornstarch substitutes
Find substitutes for cornstarch, with practical ratios and notes on texture, rise, moisture, flavour and calories.
What cornstarch does in a recipe
Cornstarch thickens by swelling in hot liquid, and it thickens twice as hard as flour with a clearer, glossier result. It is pure starch: no protein, no flavour.
Substitution is about structure, not taste, and no table row overrides an allergy. If the swap is for gluten, egg, dairy or nut allergy, use a recipe written for that diet: allergen-free baking changes the structure of the recipe, not just one ingredient.
Substitutes and ratios
| Use | Ratio | Best for | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat flour | 2 tbsp per 1 tbsp cornstarch | gravies, stews | Thickens half as well and clouds the sauce; cook it a little longer to lose the raw taste. Calories similar. |
| Potato starch | 1 : 1 | sauces, pie fillings | Almost identical behaviour; slightly glossier. Calories equal. |
| Arrowroot | 1 : 1 | fruit sauces, jellies | Thickens at a lower temperature and stays clear; avoid dairy sauces, where it can go slimy. Calories equal. |
| Rice flour | 1½ tbsp per 1 tbsp cornstarch | soups, sauces | Clear and neutral, needs a little more. Calories similar. |
Substitution ratios and techniques: standard kitchen reference tables. Calorie comparisons use USDA FoodData Central figures. Checked 2026-09-06.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my sauce thin out after boiling with cornstarch?
Because cornstarch thickened it once and then broke down again under prolonged boiling or acid. Starches differ here: cornstarch is the least stable of the common thickeners, which is why long-cooked sauces use flour.
Ingredients with a similar job
Wheat flour
Flour is the skeleton: its gluten network traps gas and holds the shape, and its starch absorbs liquid. Every substitute trades some structure away.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs do three jobs: they stretch minced meat, they give a fried crust, and they soak up liquid in gratins and stuffings.
All ingredient substitutes
Browse the complete guide by the job each ingredient performs.
Track the ingredient you really used
TempoLife records the actual swap so the nutrition total reflects your plate, not the recipe you started with.