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bowl of gluten free white sauce on gray counter

Gluten Free White Sauce Béchamel

A simple combination of gluten-free flour, butter, salt, and pepper with milk becomes a gluten-free version of a classic white sauce. With a few substitutions, this gluten-free recipe can easily become vegan-friendly as well.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course sauce
Cuisine French
Servings 4

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Wire Whisk
  • Wooden Spoon
  • liquid measuring cup
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoonsa gluten-free flour blend King Arthur measure for measure
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan, completely melt 2 tablespoons butter over low to medium-low heat.
    melting butter on a cooktop
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour to the melted butter
    gluten free flour being added to melted butter
  • At the same time, also add in 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper into the melted butter.
    salt and pepper being added to the sauce
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is bubbling and smooth.
    butter and flour cooking till bubbly on cook top
  • Remove from heat.
  • Slowly pour in the milk about 1/2 cup at a time, while constantly whisking to help avoid clumps.
    pouring milk into the sauce mixture
  • Return to the heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. (Make sure to scrape the corners and whisk any flour there into the mixture as well.)
  • Boil for 1 minute while stirring, until the mixture is thickened.
    thickened gluten free white sauce done
  • Remove from heat and use promptly.

Notes

Troubleshooting:
  • Make sure to be stirring very often, during each phase of the recipe.
  • Add milk in slowly, 1/2 a cup at a time to avoid clumps.
  • Continue cooking till it is thick enough to coat a spoon.
  • If it is too thick, add some more milk
  • If there are clumps of flour, and whisking doesn't help, you can strain it through a fine mesh colander.
You can easily make this gluten-free white sauce recipe into a dairy-free/ vegan version by swapping the key ingredients (butter and milk) for your favorite dairy-free milk and butter alternatives.
Feel free to try any of your favorite plant-based milk. The idea here is to use alternative ingredients that don't have a strong flavor profile. I wouldn't suggest using coconut oil or coconut milk unless the dish you are creating lends itself to having a coconut flavor.
Keyword gluten free