Is there something I could use as a substitute for corn starch?

Question

I am making kung pao chicken and it needs corn starch to thicken the sauce. I have tried flour before and it worked OK but was a little pasty.

Answer 1

For 1 tablespoon cornstarch, substitute 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour;

OR

1 tablespoon potato flour or rice flour;

OR

4 teaspoons quick-cooking tapioca;

OR

2 teaspoons arrowroot.

Answer 2

Guar gum or Xanthan Gum. The second is the best. Just start sprinkling it in and stir. It is better than any other starch and it has NO carbohydrates or calories. No bad taste.. no clumping. Its great for gravy too. Most health food stores will have it. NOW brand seems to be the cheapest.
Oh.. and buy the stevia too if you are going to sweeten chili or panang curry. No calories and natural!

Answer 3

You can use flour if needed, just make a mixture in a cup with the flour and sauce then add to rest of sauce so that it does not become clumpy. You can also use arrowroot in place of cornstarch if you have that on hand. (most people dont stock that tho.)

Answer 4

Arrowroot is actually the substution you want. It is used instead of corn starch in cold pastry applications because it does not have to be heated to thicken sauces, etc.

Answer 5

Cornstarch is used beacause it doesn't taste "pasty" but you can use flour and water. The best way to make sure it doesn't taste "pasty " is to cook the flour first like in a roux.

Answer 6

Maybe you used too much flour. for every tblsp. of cornstarch you use 2 tblsp. flour! The trick with flour is you have to mix it in a bowl with a little water! Stir it real good before you put it in your pot!

Answer 7

I use whole wheat pastry flour to thicken my veggie gravies and soups. It is healthier than your options.
Just add it when the liquid is cool, and keep stirring it.

Or add it to a small amount of cold water, stir it well. Then add it to your dish. And keep stirring.

Answer 8

You can use flour. Add flour to cold water, mix thoroughly then add to your gravy.

Answer 9

corn starch is so cheap about 90cents
just use that