is it better to make gravy with cornstarch or flour

Cornstarch Gravy is quick and a great option when you don’t have drippings or are keeping things gluten-free.

Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You’re basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.
is it better to make gravy with cornstarch or flour

When To Make A Cornstarch Gravy

Since you don’t need drippings, this gravy is great for when you are making something like a deep-fried turkey where you don’t end up with those tasty drippings. Though, if you prefer, I also have a flour gravy with no drippings recipe.

A cornstarch gravy is also a great way to go if you have some guests with different dietary needs. Cornstarch gravy is gluten-free. And, if you skip the butter and use vegetable stock for the liquid, then it’s also dairy-free and vegan. This means that more of your dinner guests will be able to pour gravy onto the other food on their plates. Note that I have a robustly flavored recipe specifically for Vegan Gravy over here.

If you do have drippings and you want to make a cornstarch gravy so that it’s gluten-free, or for any other reason, you can totally do that. You’ll get the drippings from your roast turkey, or whatever roast you have, and separate the fat away (I use a gravy separator for this). Then use the drippings in place of the broth called for in the recipe below. Note that you can use the fat that you skimmed off in place of the butter too, for extra turkey flavor!

This is also super helpful for making ahead of time. You can make this a couple days ahead of time if you’ve got a big dinner to plan and want to get elements done in advance. If you end up with drippings, you can always stir them in before serving.

Cornstarch gravy works great as a quick sauce for a meal. Maybe you’ve made a pork chop or some chicken that would benefit from a sauce.

Video: Cornstarch Gravy Recipe

Very simply, Cornstarch Gravy is a gravy that uses cornstarch instead of flour to thicken it. If you prefer gravy made with flour, check out this classic gravy recipe. The cornstarch gravy is great though because it’s gluten-free and easy to make low-fat. Win-win!

Just the Tip! How to THICKEN your Gravy – Cornstarch vs. Flour

FAQ

Is it better to thicken with flour or cornstarch?

It’s important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What is the best ingredient to thicken gravy?

If your gravy is on the skimpy side, you can thicken it quickly with flour or cornstarch. But don’t add your thickener directly to the gravy, which will create lumps. Instead, try stirring in three or four tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water until you have a smooth paste.

Is corn flour better for gravy?

Cornflour is an ideal thickener if you’re a coeliac or simply intolerant to gluten, because as the name suggests, it is made from corn. Be aware, though, that it produces a slightly more gelatinous texture than flour, so don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with a slightly gloopy sauce.

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