By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On August 21, 2023

This rich, creamy, and flavorful gluten-free bechamel sauce is the basis of so many dishes, so let's master it! Get the correct ingredients, learn the techniques, and you are set to have this classic French white sauce available to add to so many of your favorite dishes.

If you love sauces and gravies, you need to try these recipes too. This gluten-free alfredo sauce is amazing. I have this five-minute; you read that right gluten-free gravy. Use this gluten-free bechamel sauce and add it to these recipes gluten-free lasagna and gluten-free mac and cheese.

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Gluten-Free Bechamel Recipe

No one will skip past a creamy and tasty gluten-free bechamel sauce. Especially this one! It is so good, and rightly so forms the basis of so many dishes. I love how versatile it is, and you can literally add in and experiment with different herbs and spices. 

You will be hooked to this sauce thanks to the cream and milk, giving it such a smooth texture, and it is so good. Let's not forget the butter and nutmeg adding to its great taste.

It is also so easy to make you will definitely wonder why you used to buy a store-bought variety. Get your ingredients ready to make this batch of delicious sauce that really delivers more than you can imagine to every dish you add it to.

Why You’re Going to Love This Gluten-Free Bechamel

Customizable - You can use this gluten-free bechamel sauce as a blank canvas and add it to most dishes with a few additions to it.

Delicious tasting - This combination of ingredients forms a rich, creamy GF bechamel sauce that tastes so so good!

Easy to make - This gluten-free bechamel sauce is really easy to make, and my step directions will have you set to make it to perfection.

Ingredients in Gluten-Free Bechamel

Butter - 2 tbsp unsalted butter.

Seasoning - ⅕ tsp nutmeg, ⅕ tsp salt, and ⅕ tsp pepper.

Cream - ¼ cup cream.

Milk - ⅓ cup milk.

Flour - 2 tbsp plain gluten-free flour.

Equipment Needed for This Gluten-Free Bechamel

Saucepan - Use this non-stick saucepan to make your sauce.

Spatula - These silicone spatulas are useful at the beginning of making this sauce.

Whisk - I like to use a stainless-steel whisk.

If you have any questions about making Gluten-Free Bechamel, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Make Gluten-Free Bechamel

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
2. Add gluten-free flour and start mixing with a spatula.
3. At first, a not-too-thick homogeneous mass will form.
4. Pour in half of the milk and cream, and keep stirring. The mass will thicken, and the flour will form lumps.
5. Keep stirring and gradually add milk until you get a thick and smooth homogeneous mass. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
6. If the bechamel sauce seems thick, add a little more milk until it reaches your desired consistency. The bechamel sauce is ready to use in your favorite dishes.

Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Bechamel

Keep stirring - In order for the GF bechamel sauce to come out smooth and lump free, keep on stirring it. 

Use a whisk or wooden spoon - Use a whisk or wooden spoon when making the sauce.

Don't overcook it - As soon as the sauce thickens, remove it from the heat. This is so that you don't overcook it.

Use it once made - It is usually best to use this GF bechamel immediately once done, as it can separate after a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Store Gluten-Free Bechamel?

Store this sauce once cooled in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be stored for 3-4 days. 

Can I Freeze Gluten-Free Bechamel?

Let it cool, and then place it in a freezer-safe container. It is a good idea to label it and then use it within 3 months.

Can You Make This Gluten-Free Bechamel Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can. You can store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or else freeze it for up to 3 months.

It does tend to thicken once it has cooled, so you may need to add milk or cream to thin it out.

What Substitutions / Replacements Can I Make in This Gluten-Free Bechamel?

Dairy-free - You will need to replace the butter, cream, and milk with dairy-free alternatives. I have not tried this as yet.

Vegan - As per the above, you will need to replace the butter, cream, and milk.

Seasoning - You can add other seasonings you prefer. For example, you can replace the nutmeg with ground cinnamon, allspice, or cloves, depending on what you are going to make with this sauce. 

What Can I Use Instead Of Flour In White Sauce?

You can use cornstarch, arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or potato starch. Just bear in mind that these will add different flavors to the sauce.

What Can I Add To White Sauce For Flavor?

With this being a white sauce and a basis for so many dishes, there are so many things you can add, so here are a few options:

• Add garlic.
• Add cheese.
• Add different herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley.
• Add different spices like nutmeg, paprika, cumin, or curry powder.
• Add lemon juice.

Will Gluten-Free Flour Thicken A White Sauce?

Yes, it will, but it also depends on the gluten-free flour you use. We have used plain gluten-free flour to thicken the sauce in this recipe. Some gluten-free flours may require an adjustment in the amount of liquid used.

Can You Substitute Cornstarch For Flour In Bechamel?

Yes, you can. Make a slurry before adding it to the rest of the ingredients, and bear in mind that it thickens sauces quickly. 

What Variations Can I Make To This GF Bechamel Sauce?

• Cheese sauce - Add grated cheese, such as cheddar, Gruyere, or Parmesan, to the sauce for a rich and flavorful cheese sauce.
• Herb sauce - Add chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or basil, to the sauce for a fragrant and flavorful herb sauce.
• Garlic sauce - Add minced garlic to the butter when making the roux for a delicious garlicky flavor.
• Mustard sauce - Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce for a tangy and flavorful touch.
• Mushroom sauce - Sauté sliced mushrooms in the butter before making the roux, and then add them to the sauce for a delicious mushroom sauce.
• Tomato sauce - Add a tablespoon of tomato paste or a cup of chopped tomatoes to the sauce for a flavorful tomato sauce.
• Spicy sauce - Add ground spices, such as cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or chili powder, to the sauce to give it a spicy flavor.
• White wine sauce - Add white wine to the sauce. Tip: We recommend ordering from Total Wine, which has over 8,000 different types of wine that can be delivered right to your door.

What Ways Can I Use GF Bechamel Sauce?

You can use it in the following ways:

• As a pasta sauce - Toss gluten-free pasta with bechamel sauce and your favorite vegetables or protein for a creamy and delicious pasta dish.
• As a topping for vegetables: Pour the gluten-free bechamel sauce over roasted or steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus, for a creamy and flavorful side dish.
• In casseroles - Use bechamel sauce as a base for casseroles, such as lasagna or baked ziti, for a creamy and flavorful dish.
• In gratins - Layer thinly sliced potatoes or other vegetables with bechamel sauce and cheese for a delicious and comforting gratin.
• As a base for soups - Use the sauce as a base for creamy soups, such as cream of mushroom or cream of broccoli.
• As a topping for pizzas - Use it as a base for white pizzas, such as a mushroom and garlic pizza or a chicken Alfredo pizza
• As a dipping sauce - Serve bechamel sauce as a dipping sauce for breaded or fried vegetables, such as zucchini fries or onion rings.

Continue to Content

Yield: 1 cup

Gluten-Free Bechamel

Print

This rich, creamy, and flavorful gluten-free bechamel sauce is the basis of many dishes, so let's master it! Learn the technique, and you are set.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ⅕ tsp nutmeg
• ⅕ tsp salt
• ⅕ tsp pepper
• ¼ cup cream
• ⅓ cup milk
• 2 tbsp plain gluten-free flour

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
2. Add gluten-free flour and start mixing with a spatula.
3. At first, a not-too-thick homogeneous mass will form.
4. Pour in half of the milk and cream, and keep stirring. The mass will thicken, and the flour will form lumps.
5. Keep stirring and gradually add milk until you get a thick, smooth homogeneous mass. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
6. If the bechamel sauce seems thick, add a little more milk until it reaches your desired consistency. The bechamel sauce is ready to use in your favorite dishes.

Notes

• Use a whisk to ensure you get a smooth lump free gluten-free bechamel sauce.

Recommended Products

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  Utopia Kitchen Nonstick Saucepan Set - 1 Quart and 2 Quart Sauce Pan Set with Lid - Multipurpose Pots Set Use for Home Kitchen or Restaurant (Grey-Black)
• 
  ChefAide 4 Pieces Silicone Spatula Set, Food Grade Rubber Spatula, Upgrade Strong Handle with Ergonomic Grip, Heat Resistant Up to 600°F for Nonstick Cookware, Cooking Baking Mixing
• 
  OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 450Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 522mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 5g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands used at the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.