Pantry Essentials in a Gluten-Free Kitchen

Pantry Essentials for a Gluten-Free Diet

Welcome Back to Gluten Free – With Me!

Today we will be discussing all the important pantry items to keep on hand when eating a gluten-free diet. Most of these suggestions come from personal experience or from recommendations we’ve seen from other’s. We hope you find some of this information useful!

A Guide for Every Kitchen 

Living gluten-free does not have to mean sacrificing flavor, variety, or convenience. In fact, with a little knowledge and the correct ingredients, you can build a pantry extremely versatile. Whether you have recently been diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity or are just experimenting with gluten-free recipes, having the right pantry essentials can make a world of difference.

Here is our guide to gluten-free pantry essentials!

• Gluten-Free Flours 

 Flour is the backbone of most recipes, and fortunately, there are several gluten-free options to choose from. Below are some of the most common and versatile gluten-free flours:

🩶 Almond Flour- made from ground almonds, this is a naturally gluten-free flour and packed full of protein and healthy fats. It’s perfect for baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and muffins. 

🩶 Rice Flour- a more neutral option often used in most gluten-free flour blends and best for recipes like pancakes and bread. 

🩶Sorghum Flour- known to have a mild flavor, is an excellent choice for adding structure to gluten-free baked goods. Often used in most gluten-free flours to improve texture. 

🩶 Tapioca Flour- helps to create chewy textures in baked goods and commonly used for thickening sauces and soups. 

🩶 Coconut Flour- highly absorbent flour, requires more liquid in recipes, but makes them light and adds a mildly sweet flavor. Ideal for making pancakes, cakes, and cookies. 

• Gluten-Free Grains 

While there are several gluten-free grains on the market, it is important to keep a variety on hand. The following grains serve as great bases for meals and provide several additional nutrients, flavors, and textures: 

🩶 Quinoa- a grain that is protein packed and cooks quickly, pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. Perfect in salads, bowls, or as a side. 

🩶 Brown Rice- a pantry stable that is incredibly versatile, affordable, and gluten-free. Brown rice can be used as a filling addition to stir-fries, soups, casserole, and so much more. 

🩶 Oats- an important note that you should buy certified gluten-free oats, cross contamination can occur. Oats are perfect for baking, to make oatmeal, or to add to granola. 

🩶 Millet- a overlooked grain that is highly nutritious and easy to cook. Does have a mild flavor, works well in salads or as a side dish. 

🩶 Cornmeal- a great alternative for gluten-free cornbread or making polenta. Cornmeal can also work in crusts, batters, or a topping for baked goods. 

• Gluten-Free Pasta

Having gluten-free pasta on hand means you will always be ready to mix up a quick meal. From spaghetti to macaroni, gluten-free pasta is now widely available and made from various ingredients, including the following:

🩶 Brown Rice Pasta- one of the most commonly found gluten-free pasta option, offering a similar cooked texture to traditional pasta.

🩶 Corn Pasta- often used for making lighter dishes, corn pasta can be a good alternative to wheat pasta. 

🩶 Chickpea Pasta- made from chickpea flour, this pasta is protein and fiber packed, making it an excellent choice for a nutritious meal. 

• Baking Essentials 

Whether you’re baking cookies, cakes, or anything in between, the following gluten-free essentials will help your baked goods rise and taste amazing: 

🩶 Baking Powder and Baking Soda- these leavening agents are both gluten-free and essential for making your recipes light and airy. 

🩶 Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum- these ingredients act as binding agents, helping give gluten-free baked goods structure and texture. They are often used in flour blends, but can be added individually to recipes as well. 

🩶 Coconut Oil or Butter- essential for making gluten-free treats moist and flavorful. Both coconut oil and utter are essentials in gluten-free baking for their ability to make the correct texture. 

🩶 Chocolate Chips- make sure to check the labels that the chocolate chips you are using are gluten-free. They make every recipe sweeter. 

• Gluten-Free Sauces and Condiments

Many store-bought sauces and condiments might contain gluten, therefore it is incredibly important to check labels and purchase the correct items.  

🩶 Taramari- a soy sauce alternative that is perfect for marinades, dipping, and for stir-fries. 

🩶 Dijon Mustard- a classic condiment that is naturally gluten-free and adds a tangy flavor to sandwiches, dressings, or other sauces. 

🩶 Hot Sauce- most host sauces are naturally gluten-free, making them a great addition to those who want a little additional heat in their dishes. 

🩶 Broth- stocking up on vegetable, chicken, or beef broth for stews, soups, and risottos. Make sure that you are checking the label to ensure these are gluten-free. 

• Canned Goods 

Many canned items are already gluten-free, however it is still important to check the labels to ensure safety. 

🩶 Beans- black beans, kidney beans, chickpea, and pinto beans are very versatile.

🩶 Tomatoes- whether crushed, diced, or whole, are great additions in the pantry for making sauces, soups, and stews. 

🩶 Canned Milk and Soup- coconut milk, and gluten-free cream of chicken, mushroom, celery soup are great pantry staples. 

• Sweeteners

Sweeteners play an important role in gluten-free baking and cooking.

🩶 Honey- a natural sweetener that works well in a variety of baked goods and savory dishes. 

🩶 Maple Syrup- perfect for adding to pancakes or to baked goods and granola recipes.

🩶 Coconut Sugar- a low-glycemic sweetener that is perfect for replacing refined sugars in gluten-free recipes. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our pantry staples blog. We hope some of the information was useful to you. If you have any recommendations, please fill out this form. If you would like to contact us, feel free to fill out one of our “contact us” forms here!