Arrowroot is a white powder that is tasteless and odourless and it is mainly used to thicken soup and sauces. It is gluten free so people who are gluten intolerant can consume it. Arrowroot is derived from the tubers of a plant known as Maranta arundinacea which is also known as arrowroot plant. When arrowroot is used as thickener it adds a glossy finish to the sauce. Arrowroot is an excellent thickener because it does not overpower the flavours of the sauce like what other starches do, since it does not have any taste. There are a number of recipes that require the use of arrowroot but if you do not have it then you can find substitutes of arrowroot. This article highlights some of the arrowroot substitutes you can use if you do not have arrowroot in your pantry.
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Tapioca flour
Tapioca flour is derived from the roots of the cassava plant and it is mainly used as an arrowroot substitute this is because arrowroot and tapioca come from the roots of the same plant. It is gluten free just like arrowroot and both of them are tasteless and odourless. Tapioca flour is mainly used as an arrowroot substitute especially when thickening sauces and gravy. Tapioca flour is deemed as the most suitable substitute because of its smooth texture which is similar to arrowroot. When using tapioca flour as a substitute for arrowroot it is important to add just the right amount because if you put in too much the gravy will have a slightly chewy texture.Therefore, if you are using tapioca flour to substitute arrowroot just make sure you use the right proportion for example if the recipe requires you to use 1 teaspoon of arrowroot then you should also use 1 teaspoon of tapioca flour. The advantage of using tapioca flour is that it remains stable even when placed in low temperature and also it gives dish a glossy and clear appearance. So if you are planning on freezing your sauce or soup then you can use tapioca flour.
Corn starch
This is a decent arrowroot substitute especially if you want to thicken your sauce. Corn starch comes from the corn kennel which is very rich and corn starch is gluten free just like arrowroot that is why it works as the perfect substitute.When you use corn starch to thicken soup it produces the same results as when you use arrowroot powder, but corn starch tends to give the sauce a matte look whereas arrowroot gives the sauce a glossy look. When adding corn starch to the sauce just use the same method you would use when adding arrowroot. It is important to know that corn starch thickens faster than arrowroot.
Rice flour
Rice flour comes from rice and it is gluten free therefore it is a good substitute for arrowroot. If you are planning on cooking a sauce that you intend on freezing then rice flour is the perfect ingredient to use since it helps to stop the liquid from separating. Furthermore, rice flour works well with acidic dishes and that is what also makes it a good substitute for arrowroot. Rice flour can be used as breading when frying but it browns more quickly. Although, rice flour can be used as a substitute of arrowroot it is important to note that it gives dishes a dull cloudy appearance because it is a grain starch.
Potato starch
This is a very good arrowroot substitute especially if you are going to bake things like muffins or bread. You can also use potato flakes if your local store does not have potato starch. Potato starch is very light and it absorbs moisture quite well.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is also an arrowroot substitute and it is usually used as a binding agent. Usually when making vegan recipes the egg is substituted using arrowroot but in this case you substitute the egg with xanthan gum.Xanthan gum can also be used to make sauces and it gives a nice creamy texture to sauces. It is 100% gluten free so if you are gluten intolerant you can definitely use it.
Wheat flour
This is also a good substitute of arrowroot and it really works well in acidic dishes and it is an excellent thickener. However, wheat contains gluten so if you are someone who is gluten intolerant then wheat flour is not the perfect arrowroot substitute for you. The disadvantage of using wheat flour as a substitute of arrowroot is that it adds flavour to the dish and leaves the dish with a cloudy like appearance.
Kuzu
This is often referred to as the Japanese arrowroot and it is an excellent thickener. Kuzu gives dishes a sparkling gloss and smooth texture just like arrowroot. It has a neutral flavour so it will not over power the flavours in your dish. It is mainly used when making pie fillings, pudding and sweet treats because it balances out the acidity in sweet dishes. Kuzu has a number of health benefits so using it as a substitute of arrowroot is a bonus.
Conclusion
Arrowroot is an ingredient that is found in many recipes, but sometimes it can be very hard to come around. However, its unavailability should not restrict you from cooking your favourite meals that require arrowroot. This article has highlighted some of the arrowroot substitutes you can use. Tapioca flour is the most widely recommended substitute for arrowroot since it has almost the same characteristics as arrowroot and they are both derived from the roots of the cassava plant. Corn starch can also be used to substitute arrowroot. The other arrowroot substitutes include rice flour, potato starch, xanthan gum and kuzu. It is important to note that the majority of the substitutes noted in this article are gluten free, so you can use them. Wheat flour is the only arrowroot substitute mentioned in the above article that contains gluten. So if you are someone who is gluten intolerant you should not attempt using wheat flour.
