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    Home / Recipes

    Gluten-Free Bechamel Sauce

    Posted On Feb 21, 2019 · Updated On May 21, 2021

    Gluten-Free Bechamel Sauce

    This creamy, delicious white sauce is anything but basic!

    Dairy FreeRecipes & Techniques by Cooks We LoveSalads & Dressings

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    Gluten Free Bechamel Sauce Recipe G-Free Foodie

    This Gluten-Free Bechamel Sauce recipe can be made with or without dairy, and it always comes out beautifully.

    - Updated May 2021 -

    Bechamel (it's actually Béchamel, but who really uses that?) is one of the five "mother sauces" of French cuisine. When I first went gluten-free, I swear it was in every damn recipe I was trying to convert. It's really just a creamy white sauce that can be used as a base for all kinds of things. It's layered in lasagna, macaroni and cheese, creamy soups - you get the drift.

    I usually use my favorite gluten-free flour blend to make it, along with butter or olive oil and unsweetened coconut milk, because that's what we always have on hand. You'll notice I use a little less olive oil when I make it dairy-free. That's because the consistency is different than butter. I've found that olive oil works better than coconut oil in a dairy-free version of this recipe.

    So, what should you use your gluten-free Bechamel on?

    gluten free béchamel white sauce and cauliflower recipe

    While "everything" probably isn't a reasonable answer, it's pretty close. You can make the Pioneer Woman's Mac & Cheese, using this sauce and some GF elbow noodles (I like Pamela's or Jovial for dried, Manini's for fresh). You can recreate Ina Garten's Cauliflower Gratin or make my gluten-free Cauliflower in Béchamel. And who doesn't want their cauliflower dressed up in Ina's creamy cheese sauce? It's the base for Nigella Lawson's "Big Pasta" with Mushroom, Garlic, Parsley and Thyme, and if there was anything besides the word "Nigella" that makes me want to try a recipe, "Big Pasta" is probably it.

    White Lasagna with Mushrooms, Spinach and Artichokes recipe

    Bechamel is also the key to my White Lasagna. It's loaded with mushrooms, spinach and artichokes, and it is next-level, no I'm not kidding, tell red sauce to take a backseat, all-the-way good.

    The recipe fills an 8x8 baking dish, but you'll wish you made a double batch. So go ahead and double it up. Promise. You might want to make one to freeze for later too.

    Let's go!

    OK, I think you're ready. Give this Gluten-Free Bechamel Sauce recipe a try, and let me know what you think. Martha Stewart's Croque Madame recipe better watch out, because here you come!

    You may also want to check out my post & video on How to Make Gluten-Free Roux. Because that gravy ain't gonna thicken itself, folks.

    Gluten free Bechamel recipe
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    4.41 from 25 votes

    Gluten-Free Bechamel Sauce

    This Gluten-Free Bechamel Sauce recipe can be made with or without dairy, and it's always a winner. 
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: Bechamel, cream sauce recipe, sauce
    Calories: 1191kcal
    Author: K.C. Cornwell

    Ingredients

    • 5 tablespoons butter -OR- 4 ½ tablespoons olive oil
    • 4 tablespoons Gluten-Free Flour blend -OR- 2 tablespoons rice flour + 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
    • 4 cups milk dairy, unflavored coconut or unflavored almond
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted (or warm oil). Add the gluten-free flour and whisk until smooth. Over medium heat, cook until the mixture turns a light, golden sandy color, about 6 to 7 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate pan until just about to boil. Add the hot milk to the flour mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat. Season with salt and nutmeg, and set aside until ready to use.

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    Use this gluten-free Bechamel to make Mornay sauce, cheese sauce, or any other deliciously creamy dishes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1191kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 89g | Saturated Fat: 54g | Cholesterol: 248mg | Sodium: 5570mg | Potassium: 1288mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 3330IU | Calcium: 1139mg | Iron: 1mg

    Use this Bechamel to make delicious casseroles, mac & cheese, and more. I love it for country-style sausage gravies and in lasagna.

    Gluten-Free Baked Macaroni & Cheese, we're ready.

    best gluten free mac and cheese recipe

    Frequently Asked Questions about Gluten-Free Béchamel:

    Is bechamel the same as white sauce?

    Yes! Béchamel is the French name for white sauce. This gluten-free version can be used as in all bechamel or white sauce applications, including as a base for sauces, gravy, or to coat pasta.

    Is white sauce gluten free?

    No, unless you make it that way! Most white sauce at restaurants is made with traditional/conventional flour.

    Can I use cornstarch instead of flour for gluten-free bechamel?

    Yes, but not if you want to use a traditional bechamel recipe or you want the standard consistency for the sauce. The best option is using a GF flour blend with the fat + milk ratios listed here.

    Can you make a gluten free roux?

    Yes! You can make gluten-free roux with a GF flour blend and butter or olive oil, use our Gluten-Free Roux recipe to see how.

    Which flour is best for gluten-free bechamel?

    We use a gluten-free all purpose flour blend in our bechamel. Our favorites are  Pamela’s Gluten-Free Artisan Blend or King Arthur Measure for Measure blend.

    How do you make gluten-free and dairy-free white sauce?

    Our gluten-free recipe offers a version using olive oil for the fat and unsweetened coconut milk. Be sure to adjust the fat measurements when using olive oil in place of butter.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. kf says

      March 10, 2019 at 10:01 pm

      5 stars
      Loved it!- it Turned out amazing- i used less salt but otherwise followed the recipe. how long can it keep for in the fridge?

      Reply
      • K.C. Cornwell says

        March 13, 2019 at 1:50 am

        I would say 3-4 days tightly covered in the fridge! You may have to thin it slightly when you heat it. So glad you love it!

        Reply
    2. John Prowse says

      July 29, 2021 at 7:31 am

      Could you substitute white wine for some of the milk to make a white wine sauce? If so, would you add it before or after the milk, and would you heat it? Could stock be used similarly? Could minced garlic be sautéed in the butter/oil before adding the flour?

      Reply
      • Mary says

        April 27, 2022 at 6:40 pm

        Try those variations and let us know how it turned out ❤😁

        Reply
    3. Gael Telford says

      May 10, 2022 at 5:47 am

      Is this suitable to freeze?

      Reply

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    K.C. is a farm-grown foodie, born and raised in the fertile fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease following years of unexplained illness, she has infused her gluten-free life with flavor, fork in hand. Learn more about K.C.

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