by Corn starch is a starch powder processed from fresh corn kernels, after the removal of the germ and outer bran. It was relegated to the sidelines in kitchens for a long time, but its now-known versatility in recipes has increased its popularity in recent times.
It is a useful ingredient to have at home, as it can act as an alternative to flour in numerous recipes, or as a thickener for soups, stews, and gravies. Corn starch is also gluten-free, which makes it a great choice for those who prefer to avoid gluten.
If you are having trouble locating cornstarch in grocery stores, we would show you the aisles to check. We would also share a list of sure-fire stores that carry the product.
Where is Corn Starch in Grocery Store?
Thankfully, there are quite a few places where corn starch is likely stocked at a grocery store. Your first stop when looking for corn starch should be the baking aisle. It is often found among other baking supplies like flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda. It is usually placed at the top, or on one of the upper shelves.
Peradventure you couldn’t find corn starch in the baking section, do not leave the store in defeat just yet. Some grocery stores prefer to stock their corn starch in the soup aisle. This is because it popularly serves as a thickening agent in soups and stews.
Read Also: Where to Find Cheesecloth in Grocery Store
Where to Buy Corn Starch Near You
If you couldn’t find corn starch after checking the aforementioned aisles at grocery stores, or prefer to order online, you can refer to our list of reliable online and in-store grocers.
1. Amazon
Amazon is a great place to buy bulk quantities of corn starch. You can literally get buckets of corn starch, which would be more cost-effective than buying in smaller units. The prices of bulk quantities of corn starch vary from vendor to vendor, but assuredly, you will get good value for your money.
2. Walmart
There are numerous corn starch brands available at Walmart, such as Great Value Corn Starch. You can use the online store locator on their website to confirm the pricing and availability of the product.
3. Whole Foods
Whole Foods offers plenty of cornstarch brands, such as 365 Everyday Value, Rumford, and Argo.
4. Target
If you are on the lookout for brands like Clabber Girl and Argo, you can get them at Target.
5. Safeway
Safeway also has a variety of corn starch brands available, such as Kingsford’s, Signature Kitchen, and Argo.
6. Vons
At any Vons supermarket, you can get cornstarch products like Argo, Bob’s Red Mill, and Signature Kitchen.
7. Kroger
Kroger stores stock their brand of corn starch, alongside other brands like Argo.
Read Also: Is Kroger More Expensive than Walmart?
8. Publix
At Publix, you will get cornstarch brands like Iberia, Bob’s Red Mill, and Hodgson Mill.
9. Trader Joe’s
You can pick up the Trader Joe’s brand of corn starch at any of their stores.
10. Wegmans
If you shop at Wegmans, you will likely come across their indigenous brand, Wegmans Corn Starch, which you can try out.
Great Ways to Use Corn Starch
Save culinary applications, there are a couple of other areas where corn starch has proven useful. Let’s run you through some of the uses.
1. Use as a Thickening Agent
Whether you are using it for sauces, soups, stews, decadent macaroni, and several other recipes, corn starch is one of the best thickeners you can get around.
It can also experiment with the different herbs and seasonings in vegan cheese. Not only does it blend well with the other ingredients, but it can also be used to make the vegan cheese firm and sliceable. Better Homes & Garden has more information on how to use cornstarch as thickener.
2. Use as a Cleaning Agent
Would it interest you to know, that corn starch is a constituent of commercial laundry starch? It is an effective stain removal, and you can get rid of blotches of oil stains on your clothing.
You can make a homemade laundry starch spray, by adding one or two tablespoons of cornstarch to a few cups of water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you could sprinkle some of the powder directly on the oil blotch, add some drops of water, and emulsify into the fabric until the stain is out.
3. Make a Play-Dough
Rather than buying from a toy store, you and your kids can make your play doughs with corn starch and water. You can also add vegan food dyes to make it colorful. Here is how to make play-dough with cornstarch.
Substitutes for Corn Starch
1. Wheat Flour
Wheat Flour is wheat that has been ground to a fine powder. It contains protein, starch, and fiber. Wheat flour is not as effective a thickening agent, as corn starch. As such, you should use twice as much wheat flour, as you would corn starch.
Unlike corn starch, wheat flour also contains gluten. So do not use it in any gluten-free recipe, or while cooking for someone who avoids gluten.
2. Arrow Root
Arrow root is a fine powder often used as a thickener in Indian and Indonesian recipes. Much like wheat flour, arrowroot is not as thick as cornstarch, so it is recommended to use twice as much. However, arrowroot contains fiber and is gluten-free, which makes it an excellent choice for those in need of a gluten-free substitute for corn starch.
3. Tapioca
Tapioca is a starch product processed from cassava. It comes in different forms such as flour, pearl, and flakes, but the flour form is the best substitute for corn starch. Tapioca is also gluten-free, and it is recommended to use twice as much, to achieve the desired consistency.
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