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–+ servings
bowl of gluten free white sauce on gray counter
Joanna

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
Servings: 4
Course: sauce
Cuisine: French
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

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

Method
 

  1. In a medium saucepan, completely melt 2 tablespoons butter over low to medium-low heat.
    melting butter on a cooktop
  2. Stir in 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour to the melted butter
    gluten free flour being added to melted butter
  3. 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
  4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is bubbling and smooth.
    butter and flour cooking till bubbly on cook top
  5. Remove from heat.
  6. 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
  7. 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.)
  8. Boil for 1 minute while stirring, until the mixture is thickened.
    thickened gluten free white sauce done
  9. 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.

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