FAQs
Start by using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. More cornstarch slurry can be added, but be sure not to add too much. Only mix in a small amount of slurry at a time to ensure that your soup will thicken properly. Using corn starch is a fast, effective way to thicken soup.
What is the best thickening agent for soup? ›
Add Flour Or Cornstarch
You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.
Is it better to thicken soup 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 way to thin a soup that is too thick? ›
Add more liquid: The simplest solution is to add more liquid, such as water, broth, or milk. Start by adding a small amount and gradually add more until you reach the desired consistency. Use a blender: If you have a blender, you can puree the soup in batches, adding more liquid as needed.
What is the 4 other thickening agents for soup? ›
- Cornstarch. Cornstarch is the most common thickening agent used in the industry. ...
- Pre-gelatinized Starches. Pre-gelatinized starches are mixed with sugar and then added to the water or juice. ...
- Arrowroot. ...
- Agar-Agar. ...
- Algin (Sodium Alginate) ...
- Gelatin. ...
- Gum Arabic or Acacia. ...
- Gum Tragacanth.
Can flour and water make soup thicker? ›
First, you can create a slurry by whisking 2 tablespoons of flour with cold water and adding it gradually to the soup. Another method of using flour to thicken soup is by making a roux on the stovetop. A roux, which is a mixture of fat and flour, is often used as a base for sauces and is an easy way to add starch.
Can you add water to soup if it's too thick? ›
Add extra water as it cooks if the soup seems too thick. 5) Add ingredients that don't need much cooking time such as canned beans, diced cooked meats, shellfish, pasta or cooked rice; about a cup of such addition usually suffices.
How to make soup thicker without flour? ›
Soup Thickening Method: Cornstarch Slurry
I made a classic slurry by whisking cornstarch and hot broth until smooth in a small bowl. I drizzled it into the soup gradually, and brought it to a boil to fully activate, thicken, and cook out the starch flavor before adding more.
What 2 ingredients are used to thicken the soup? ›
The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.
What is the most commonly used thickening agent? ›
Cornstarch is the most common thickening agent used in the industry. It is mixed with water or juice and boiled to make fillings and to give a glossy semi-clear finish to products.
Mash beans, lentils, rice, or bread.
Rice, lentils, and beans release a lot of starch and naturally thicken soups simply from simmering, but you can also mash half the cooked rice/lentils/beans before adding to the soup for a simple way to thicken your dish.
How long does it take for soup to thicken? ›
A handful of uncooked rice. That's all folks, just a handful of white rice. Any kind will do: jasmine, basmati, short grain, long grain. When added to a brothy (or watery, even) soup, and left to simmer for 20-30 minutes, the rice breaks down, releasing its starch and thickening the liquid that it's cooking in.
Will soup thicken as it cools? ›
Remember that some soups will thicken on their own as they sit and cool; the ingredients may continue to absorb liquid, so yours might just need another day to reach perfect consistency.
What is the healthiest way to thicken soup? ›
The absolute healthiest way to thicken soup is by using a traditionally made bone broth powder like the one from Bluebird Provisions.
- Oat Flour, Quinoa Flour or Chickpea Flour.
- Applesauce or Mashed Bananas.
- Eggs.
Does soup thicken covered or uncovered? ›
Cooking a soup, stew, or sauce uncovered allows water to evaporate, so if your goal is to reduce a sauce or thicken a soup, skip the lid. The longer you cook your dish, the more water that will evaporate and the thicker the liquid becomes—that means the flavors become more concentrated, too.
Why does my soup taste thin? ›
Let the Broth Evaporate and Cook Longer
If your broth tastes thin and bland, you may want to cook and let it evaporate for longer. That helps concentrate its flavors and gives you a better-tasting soup broth. Be sure to remove the lid to let the steam escape.
What is the best food thickener for the elderly? ›
You don't need to use commercial thickeners for foods, since soup and other foods can be easily thickened with powdered potatoes (used for instant mashed potatoes), rice cereal, tapioca, or Jell-O, for example.
What is the healthiest thickening agent? ›
Easy-to-access alternatives are wheat flour, arrowroot flour, and rice flour. These are good alternatives to cornstarch because they are more nutritious and contain fewer carbohydrates and calories. Xanthan and guar gum are much stronger thickeners than cornstarch, but they can be harder to obtain and use.
What is a natural food thickener? ›
One popular natural food thickener is agar agar, which is derived from seaweed and commonly used in vegan recipes. It can be used to create a firm gel-like texture and is often used in desserts such as jelly and custards. Another natural thickener is arrowroot, which is made from the root of the arrowroot plant.
How much flour per cup to thicken soup? ›
You can start with 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 cup of liquid as a general rule of thumb. To make a smooth paste, combine the flour with a small amount of cold liquid. Stir the paste gradually into the soup. To allow the flour to thicken the mixture, cook and stir it for a few minutes.
Corn-starch slurry is an easy way to thicken soups and sauces quickly. Mix equal parts corn starch and cold water (1 tablespoon is a good starting point) in a bowl until all the corn starch is dissolved and the resultant liquid is consistent. Then pour slowly in soup while storing continuously.
Can soup be too thick? ›
Chunkier soups, like black bean or lentil, tend to lean thick—and, it must be said, gloopy. To thin them out (and dial down the intense salinity), add more water or low-sodium stock while they're heating. (If you overdo it, don't stress: Continue simmering until the liquid has reduced to your desired consistency.)
What can I use instead of thickening agent in soup? ›
There are a bunch of ways to thicken a soup without using raw flour or roux.
- purée a portion of the soup in a blender then add it back to the pot.
- mix a bit of cornstarch with water. ...
- add chopped up potatoes to the soup. ...
- add puréed beans or mashed potatoes to the soup. ...
- there's also the Italian tradition of ribollita.
Do potatoes thicken soup? ›
Even if you don't purée the soup with a blender, potatoes release starch as they cook — thickening the broth with a satisfying velvety consistency.
Why does thick soup turn watery? ›
Whether you use exact measurements or simply top sautéed veggies, aromatics, or legumes with liquid before boiling them, you might end up with more cooking liquid than you bargained for. When there's a disproportionately high ratio of liquid to solids, blending everything all at once will result in watery soup.
How to thicken black bean soup? ›
In a separate bowl, dissolve a teaspoon or two of cornstarch or all-purpose flour in a small amount of cold water. Add the slurry to the bubbling soup. The soup should thicken up. Add more cornstarch or flour as needed until the soup reaches your desired consistency.