Can I use baking soda for cornstarch? (Also included are 9 substitutes.)

It is a good idea to have cornstarch on hand in the pantry. You’ll probably need to utilize cornstarch as an ingredient from time to time.

Cornstarch is often used in gravy recipes. It’s also a popular component in several casseroles, soups, sauces, and marinades.

But what if you don’t have any cornstarch on hand? Can you use baking soda instead of cornstarch and still get a good result?

Continue reading to find out whether baking soda is a good alternative for cornstarch. You’ll also learn about other cornstarch alternatives you could have in your cupboard.

Don’t Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is not a good alternative for cornstarch. There are other viable choices that you will learn about later.

For the time being, it is critical to understand that using baking soda instead of cornstarch would result in disastrous effects. If you used baking soda instead of cornstarch, your supper would taste awful.

Using baking soda can give the food a weird taste. Whether you’re cooking gravy or needing a replacement ingredient for a dish, baking soda just won’t cut it.

Baking soda is a leavening agent in addition to seasoning what you’re making. This might have disastrous consequences.

The same may be stated for baking powder. Baking powder differs somewhat from baking soda, but the reasons for not using it as a replacement for cornstarch are the same.

What Will Work as a Substitute?

So, if you can’t use baking soda or baking powder, what should you use? What may be used in place of cornstarch?

You’ll learn about numerous possibilities that you’re likely to have at home in the sections below. It won’t be difficult to locate an excellent cornstarch alternative after you’ve determined what works and what doesn’t.

1 – Flour and Water

Using flour and water together is often regarded as one of the greatest cornstarch alternative methods. You can do all of your tasks using flour and water.

Cornstarch is often used to thicken sauces, soups, and marinades. The same procedure can be done with flour.

When seeking for a cornstarch substitute, wheat flour is an excellent option. This is a nutritional alternative that is really healthier than cornstarch in various aspects.

Using wheat flour will increase the amount of protein and dietary fiber in the recipe. It also has less carbs and more vitamins and minerals.

The main disadvantage is that you must use slightly more wheat flour than cornstarch. Wheat flour has less starch than white flour, therefore you must use more of it.

When using wheat flour, mix it in warm water before adding it to the recipe for best results. This may assist to keep anything from becoming lumpy.

2 – Arrowroot

Arrowroot is one of the most often substituted substances for cornstarch. This is a starchy flour derived from the roots of tropical plants.

Some individuals prefer arrowroot to cornstarch. It has more fiber, which is beneficial to your health.

As with flour and water, you’ll need to use more arrowroot to get the same outcomes as cornstarch. It is advised that you use twice as much arrowroot as cornstarch.

As long as you do things correctly, it can thicken things just as well as cornstarch. You may also enjoy the fact that arrowroot is gluten-free.

3 – Tapioca Flour

Tapioca may also be used in lieu of cornstarch in recipes. It will do an outstanding job if you have tapioca on hand.

Tapioca flour is available at supermarket shops. If a recipe asks for one tablespoon of cornstarch, replace two teaspoons of tapioca flour.

Of course, tapioca isn’t as ubiquitous in most kitchens. If you don’t currently consume tapioca on a daily basis, this information may not be useful to you.

Regardless, knowing that there is another choice is comforting. If you need some for tonight’s supper, you may be able to borrow some from a buddy.

4 – Potato Starch

Do you have any potato starch you could use? This is a great cornstarch alternative that many people like.

This is a starch powder, similar to cornstarch. You’re going to use it in the same way.

It is, as you would imagine, a potato starch powder. It also has less calories and carbs than cornstarch.

Because potatoes have no taste, this works well as a thickening agent. They are also gluten-free, which is beneficial to people who may be allergic to gluten.

5 – Rice Flour

Rice flour should work well. This is a common component that is maintained in the homes of those who appreciate Asian cuisine.

Often, Asian recipes will expressly ask for rice flour. It’s popular in sweets, soups, and noodle meals.

It also works nicely as a cornstarch alternative. This has a few advantages that may make it more enticing than cornstarch.

Rice flour has higher nutritional fiber and protein than wheat flour while having less carbs. Just be sure you use it with water to prevent the dish becoming lumpy.

6 – Ground Flaxseeds

Ground flaxseeds are another popular cornstarch substitute. It will accomplish the job, but it may not be as excellent as the other solutions mentioned above.

This is due to the fact that ground flaxseeds give the dish a gritty texture. If you use this item, your gravy or soup may come out a little grainy.

Regardless, if done correctly, this may work rather effectively. When seeking for a cornstarch substitution in baked products, this is a fantastic option.

When using this as a cornstarch alternative, you must use a very particular mixture. If a recipe asks for two teaspoons of cornstarch, use one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds and four tablespoons of water instead.

7 – Try Heat Reduction

Have you considered employing heat reduction? If you want to thicken a sauce or soup, reducing the heat will do the work.

The primary principle is to keep heating the dish to enable the steam to dissipate. To achieve this, you’ll need to remove the cover from whichever pan you’re using.

The liquid content of the dish you’re creating will decrease with time. This will thicken items naturally without the need for cornstarch or a cornstarch alternative.

If you simply require cornstarch for thickening, you should attempt heat decrease. Even if you don’t have an appropriate substitute item in your cupboard, it may provide the desired outcomes.

8 – Pureed Veggies

Although it may seem unusual at first, pureed vegetables may be used as a cornstarch alternative. Using pureed vegetables to thicken gravies and soups may give a healthy edge to what you’re creating.

Of course, you should choose vegetables that complement the food you’re preparing. However, this may be done with a variety of veggies.

Squash, zucchini, potatoes, pumpkin, or cauliflower might all be pureed. Boil the vegetables until soft, then purée them in a blender.

It is also feasible to do the task using a basic hand potato mashing. If you choose this way, you may add a lot of vitamins and minerals to your meal.

9 – Xanthan Gum

Some people believe that xanthan gum is an excellent substitute for cornstarch. This is a form of vegetable gum often used in cooking.

A little amount of xanthan gum will assist to thicken foods. It should not be used in excess.

This component may make thickening gravy or soup simpler in various ways. However, you should be aware that xanthan gum might cause digestive difficulties in some individuals if used in excess.

Fortunately, the quantity you’d be employing as a thickening agent wouldn’t be harmful to your digestion. If you have any of this on hand, it will work great as a thickening agent.

Final Thoughts

Never substitute baking soda or baking powder for cornstarch. It just will not do a good job of thickening the dish.

It will also lend a poor taste to the food, which may destroy it. These items are leavening agents and should be used only as specified in a recipe.

There are plenty excellent cornstarch substitutes available. You might use wheat flour, rice flour, potato starch, pureed vegetables, and a variety of additional ingredients.

Many of the alternatives offer benefits over cornstarch. You may be able to increase the nutrients in the meal while decreasing the carbs.

Overall, this shouldn’t be too difficult for you. You’ll be able to complete your meal by utilizing one of the excellent alternative choices listed above.

Make sure to tell your friends about what you learnt today. Learning about the greatest cornstarch alternative choices can benefit everyone.