The Cornstarch Alternative That's Perfect For Thickening Simmered Sauces
Arrowroot powder gets a case made for it as a superior gluten-free thickener over cornstarch or flour: it works faster, keeps acidic sauces like marinara or cranberry sauce clear and glossy instead of cloudy, and holds up remarkably well through freezing and thawing, making it especially useful for meal prep and pie fillings. Its one real weakness is dairy-based dishes—mixed with milk or cream it turns slimy, so chowders, alfredo, and milk gravies are better off using flour, cornstarch, potato starch, or pureed white beans instead.