Cornstarch Substitute for Thickening
For 1 tbsp of cornstarch, use 2 tbsp all-purpose flour. Flour thickens at a simmer and looks cloudier; cook out the raw taste. Below: the swap scaled to the amounts recipes use.
For 1 tbsp of cornstarch
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
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Flour thickens at a simmer and looks cloudier; cook out the raw taste.
Data & method: from Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions). An automated test pins each ratio to its source. How we calculate →
Scaled to what your recipe calls for
All-purpose flour, computed for the amounts recipes actually use:
| Recipe needs | Use instead |
|---|---|
| ½ tbsp of cornstarch | 1 tbsp all-purpose flour |
| 1 tbsp of cornstarch | 2 tbsp all-purpose flour |
| 2 tbsp of cornstarch | 4 tbsp all-purpose flour |
| 3 tbsp of cornstarch | 6 tbsp all-purpose flour |
Need a different amount — or a different ingredient?
The calculator scales every option to your exact amount, for all 17 staples we cover.
Best swap All-purpose flour
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Flour thickens at a simmer and looks cloudier; cook out the raw taste.
Source: Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions)
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Weighing instead? 1 cup of cornstarch in grams: 112 g →
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of cornstarch?
The best swap for 1 tbsp of cornstarch is 2 tbsp all-purpose flour — flour thickens at a simmer and looks cloudier; cook out the raw taste. Source: Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions).
How much substitute do I use for a different amount of cornstarch?
Scale the parts linearly. The table on this page covers the common amounts, and the calculator scales every option to exactly what your recipe calls for — never a vague "adjust to taste".