Xanthan gum is a common ingredient used in many items from ice cream to cosmetics. Corn sugar is fermented with a bacterium to produce xanthan gum. Sometimes, you may need a Xanthan Gum Substitute. We have those for you here.
Alternative to Xanthan Gum
It is a commonly used ingredient in home kitchens for baking, thickening soup, thickening gravy, and to help with gluten free and dairy free recipes. But what if you do not have any handy and you need a xanthan gum replacement?
Table of contents
You can look at a few of the Xantham Gum substitutes readily available for xanthan gum. They are Chia seeds with water, psyllium husk, cornstarch, ground flax seeds with water, egg whites, and unflavored gelatin.
Substitutes to use instead of xanthan gum
Chia seeds with water
Chia seeds, when soaked in water, form a gel similar to xanthan gum. They are packed with plenty of fiber and vital nutrients. When used whole, they add nutty, mild, and a little bit crunchy flavor to the recipe.
In case you prefer a smooth texture, grind them. Chia Seeds can replace xanthan gum in the ratio of 1:1. The best way to use them is to make a chia gel. To make the thick gel, mix one part chia seeds with two parts water. Shake or mix vigorously. The mixture should become viscous. If your chia seed gel is being used in a baked good, you may need to bake your food for an extra 10 minutes or so.
Psyllium husk
It is prepared from Plantago ovate seeds husk. For baking purposes, look for it in ground form. It lowers blood sugar, acting similar to xanthan gum as it enters your gut.
Psyllium husk may have quite a few health benefits, including lowering lowering blood sugar levels. The health benefits may make psyllium husk a great xanthan gum alternative for you.
Cornstarch
Its texture is quite similar to xanthan gum and also highly absorbent. Thus, it is a wonderful thickener in gravies and stews. Although gluten-free naturally, some products may still contain gluten. So read the label carefully if gluten is a concern for you.
You don’t need to mix cornstarch with water prior to using it in your recipes. If a recipe calls for xanthan gum, you can use that exact amount of cornstarch.
Ground flax seeds with water
When 1 part ground flax seeds are mixed with 2 parts hot water, a thick paste is formed. This paste can be used as a 1:1 substitute for Xanthan Gum.
Flax meal can also be used. Flax meal is a bit more processed than ground flax seeds and is easier to mix. The ground flax seeds will impart more of a nutty flavor to your dish.
Egg whites
They are both binding and leavening agents. When used, they help the dish to rise as well as firm up. They are ideal for cakes, batter bread, and quick bread. As they produce fluffy, light texture, they are not quite ideal to prepare kneaded bread.
One egg white can be used to replace 4.5 grams (1 tbsp) of xanthan gum.
Unflavored gelatin
Many dishes can be firmed by using gelatin – this jelly-type protein derived from animal collagen offers structure to the connective tissues. Gelatin can replace xanthan gum by using two parts of gelatin for each part of xanthan gum.
While obviously not vegetarian or vegan, a lot of gelatin is derived from pork and is also not Halal or Kosher.
Conclusion
Xanthan gum is used as an emulsifier and thickening agent. As you just found out, there are many alternatives if you don’t have any on hand or simply prefer not to consume xanthan gum. Find the best Xanthan Gum substitutes for you.
