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HELP! I need a starch free replacement for flour to be used as a thickener.

1K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  mike9 
#1 ·
Hello,

I am trying to live a low carb, low sugar lifestyle.  Therefore, I am trying to avoid refined grains which include all flours.  By trying to be low carb I would think that would include trying to cut out starchy foods so I also want to avoid cornstarch, arrow root, etc.  Can I use unflavored gelatin to thicken sauces and soups instead of flour and cornstarch? If so, does anyone know the conversion ratio of flour to gelatin? If gelatin is not advisable what alternatives could I use? Thanks in advance!
 
#4 ·
Your talking apples and oranges here.

     You can't use gelatin as a thickener  for a hot sauce as it will turn into a thin liquid when reheated so will pectin. You best shot is making things that the sauces can be reduced naturally by cooking down.
 
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#5 ·
Normally, I'd suggest using cooked rice (NOT Uncle Ben's perverted) as a flour-free thickener, but then again, rice is considered a starch--so would mashed potatoes.

However, you can use purees of vegetables like squash, peas, carrots, mushrooms, turnips, etc as a sorta/kinda thickener.  It won't "Bind" or "thicken" liquids, but if substituted for part of the overall liquid in the dish, it will be reasonably thick.  This method will work well in soups and stews, but for more delicate applications, not as ideal.

Hope this helps
 
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#6 ·
Thicken your soups with your avatar! Tomato paste, its a good sauce thickener also.

Yoh said food that you are avoiding, but what are you trying to eat more of? Some of them foods may be natural thickeners also.

Its funny, they are both kindof right but FF says use gelatin, Ed says gelatin wont work because its liquid when hot. It still makes does make liquid " thicker".

Pulp might be something youd be interested in. If you juice, the pulp left over in the machine (Im thinking carrot pulp etc) can be used in place of flour in many applications
 
#7 · (Edited)
If you are not adverse to adding a little fat into your diet, most pan sauces are thickened to the consistency of a sauce by reducing the sauce as necessary and then "mounting" the sauce with a pad of butter once you've cut the heat. So you can have nice sauces including herbs, mushrooms, garlic, etc. and some of the jus from whatever protein you're working with.

As for soups, I've only ever seen gelatin used when you are working with store bought stock/broth and you want to recapture that mouth feel of the natural gelatin. Is it thicker, yes. Is it thickened.. no. At least not on the level of say thickening a beef stew into the consistency of a gravy.

Raw spice mixtures that are ground can thicken. Indian curries and even American chili take some of their thickness from the spice mixture. The problem there is you cannot decouple a change in the flavor from a change in the texture. More thickness = more spice..
 
#12 ·
Along with what is already stated, you might wish to try nut flours/butters or egg yolks or cream/sour cream or vegetable gums (guar gum and xanthin gum) as they are used in the paleo world as a low carb.

I use xanthin gum myself for thickening sauces/soups or if I do not want to do a reduction or add dairy. A wee little bit goes a long way! You can buy this at your larger grocer chains.

I use egg yolks for my mayonnaise style products (of course...lol) however I do occasionally use it for thickening my shakes....avocado works too!

I use nut butters for special sauces like a thai peanut sauce or baking (with coconut or nut flours) in general for bars and stuff (yes, believe it or not you can bake low carb stuff!)

I hope you get it all figured out and I wish you well on your health journey!
 
#16 ·
Chia seeds are a grain though, which the OP does not want to use.
Chia seeds are a grain though, which the OP does not want to use.
Along with what is already stated, you might wish to try nut flours/butters or egg yolks or cream/sour cream or vegetable gums (guar gum and xanthin gum) as they are used in the paleo world as a low carb.

I use xanthin gum myself for thickening sauces/soups or if I do not want to do a reduction or add dairy. A wee little bit goes a long way! You can buy this at your larger grocer chains.

I use egg yolks for my mayonnaise style products (of course...lol) however I do occasionally use it for thickening my shakes....avocado works too!

I use nut butters for special sauces like a thai peanut sauce or baking (with coconut or nut flours) in general for bars and stuff (yes, believe it or not you can bake low carb stuff!)

I hope you get it all figured out and I wish you well on your health journey!
I haven't seen too many low carb bake recipes so I will definitely look into this... thanks! I will also have to check into nut flours. :)
 
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