Just because you’ve discovered that you (or a loved one) can’t have gluten, doesn’t mean you have to go buy every gluten-free cookbook you can find! You don’t even have to look for just gluten-free recipes. There are a lot of options for gluten-free cooking and with some simple substitutions you can make almost any recipe! (Note: this is for cooking, not baking – that’s a whole ‘nother beast). (This post is going to contain a lot of affiliate links to Amazon’s website, so you can see the products and easily purchase them, if you’re so inclined. Purchasing through this link does not increase cost to you, however, it does provide a small percentage of profit to me, in order for me to continue providing valuable information.)
If you’ve found that you need to go gluten-free, there is still so much food you can eat: rice, millet, quinoa, potatoes, corn, cornmeal, oats (some very sensitive individuals require gluten-free oats), vegetables, fruit, fish, chicken, pork and beef. So much is still available to you! Things that might be confusing are some grains and condiments. For instance, couscous is a popular “healthy grain” used in many recipes, but it contains gluten. Another one that contains gluten is graham (graham flour, graham crackers). When it comes to grains, a quick internet search will help you figure out if it contains gluten. Condiments, however, could very well be the biggest culprit in your refrigerator. So many sauces, dressings and spreads contain gluten. This would be where I would look first. There’s almost always a gluten-free version of your favorite condiment available on your grocery store shelves, especially if your store has a natural or gluten-free section.
Things you think you can’t have: pasta (I LOVE pasta!), bread (I also love bread), cookies, crackers, cereal, breadcrumbs, pancakes and pretzels. Let’s start with pasta. My favorite pasta is from Trader Joe’s. It’s made from organic brown rice and is available in spaghetti, penne, and spiral varieties. It comes in a huge bag that’s only $1.99 (compared to $4 for smaller boxes of other pastas at the grocery store). If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, I’m sorry! My mother-in-law used to get me dozens of bags of pasta when she’d visit because I didn’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby. (I know, I’m lucky!) There are lots of other gluten-free pastas available too, made out of rice, quinoa and corn.
Bread. There are various gluten-free breads, usually in the freezer section (Udi’s and Rudi’s are my favorites), but once you get into it you may find making your own bread is more cost-efficient. The store bought breads usually have coupons you can find on-line and then wait for them to go on sale in order to make it more affordable.
Crackers and Cookies. Gluten-free crackers and cookies are readily available on many store shelves, though you may find baking your own to be tastier. Pamela’s is one brand that I like, but they’re a little dry. Making your own ensures that you get the ingredients you want and the texture you’re craving! Packaged gluten-free products can be a little lacking in the texture department.
Cereal. Cereal is also available gluten-free. I buy organic corn flakes from Trader Joe’s and these organic frosted flakes from Amazon:
If you’ve found that you need to go gluten-free, there is still so much food you can eat: rice, millet, quinoa, potatoes, corn, cornmeal, oats (some very sensitive individuals require gluten-free oats), vegetables, fruit, fish, chicken, pork and beef. So much is still available to you! Things that might be confusing are some grains and condiments. For instance, couscous is a popular “healthy grain” used in many recipes, but it contains gluten. Another one that contains gluten is graham (graham flour, graham crackers). When it comes to grains, a quick internet search will help you figure out if it contains gluten. Condiments, however, could very well be the biggest culprit in your refrigerator. So many sauces, dressings and spreads contain gluten. This would be where I would look first. There’s almost always a gluten-free version of your favorite condiment available on your grocery store shelves, especially if your store has a natural or gluten-free section.
Things you think you can’t have: pasta (I LOVE pasta!), bread (I also love bread), cookies, crackers, cereal, breadcrumbs, pancakes and pretzels. Let’s start with pasta. My favorite pasta is from Trader Joe’s. It’s made from organic brown rice and is available in spaghetti, penne, and spiral varieties. It comes in a huge bag that’s only $1.99 (compared to $4 for smaller boxes of other pastas at the grocery store). If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, I’m sorry! My mother-in-law used to get me dozens of bags of pasta when she’d visit because I didn’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby. (I know, I’m lucky!) There are lots of other gluten-free pastas available too, made out of rice, quinoa and corn.
Bread. There are various gluten-free breads, usually in the freezer section (Udi’s and Rudi’s are my favorites), but once you get into it you may find making your own bread is more cost-efficient. The store bought breads usually have coupons you can find on-line and then wait for them to go on sale in order to make it more affordable.
Crackers and Cookies. Gluten-free crackers and cookies are readily available on many store shelves, though you may find baking your own to be tastier. Pamela’s is one brand that I like, but they’re a little dry. Making your own ensures that you get the ingredients you want and the texture you’re craving! Packaged gluten-free products can be a little lacking in the texture department.
Cereal. Cereal is also available gluten-free. I buy organic corn flakes from Trader Joe’s and these organic frosted flakes from Amazon:
Yes, I buy a pack of 6 boxes! With Amazon’s Subscribe & Save, it’s only $19.08! I mention “Subscribe & Save” a lot – for many items you’ll notice 2 prices. The lower price is for “Subscribe & Save”, meaning you subscribe to have this item delivered to you regularly and you save more money on it. You can cancel your orders at any time, so you’re not forced to get anything every three to six months, but it is a great way to save on items you know you’ll use. Try some things out from the store, discover what you like and then scour the internet for deals! Bulk is a great way to go!
Breadcrumbs. I used to make my own breadcrumbs from leftover homemade bread, you know, “when I had time”…., which means not often. Oats are a convenient substitute for breadcrumbs for many things, but not for frying fish or sprinkling on top of a casserole! Thankfully, my mother-in-law has found a wonderful gluten-free breadcrumb mix that works great in crab cakes and meatballs! It’s called Aleia’s and I love it. Who would’ve known you can also buy them on Amazon? (By the way, this price is for a 4-pack.)
Breadcrumbs. I used to make my own breadcrumbs from leftover homemade bread, you know, “when I had time”…., which means not often. Oats are a convenient substitute for breadcrumbs for many things, but not for frying fish or sprinkling on top of a casserole! Thankfully, my mother-in-law has found a wonderful gluten-free breadcrumb mix that works great in crab cakes and meatballs! It’s called Aleia’s and I love it. Who would’ve known you can also buy them on Amazon? (By the way, this price is for a 4-pack.)
Pancakes. Aaah, some of my fondest childhood memories include freshly made apple pancakes. I still get to eat them, though. One of my staples is Pamela’s Pancake Mix. I started using Pamela’s Pancake Mix before I ever went gluten-free because it’s just that good. Not only does it make wonderful pancakes and waffles, but quick breads and cookies as well! It’s on my Subscribe & Save list on Amazon, meaning it gets delivered to me every few months so I’m never without it! (It’s $44.09 for 3 large bags with the Subscribe & Save discount.)
Pretzels. You might not think that pretzels are something you’d miss when you go gluten-free, but then one day someone might be eating them and you’ll really crave them. That’s why I suggest purchasing Glutino pretzels, also from Amazon. I get a case of these about twice a year; they last a long time and they taste great. They are not only gluten-free, but casein and egg-free too! They seem pricey, but if you wait for a sale price and incorporate them into Subscribe & Save, they end up being much less than the store prices. (Currently, the Subscribe & Save price is $38.09 for a case of 12.)
Other gluten-free cooking tips: Once you pick a flour brand that you like, most of your cooking needs will be met. You’ll be able to make mac n cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, crab cakes, casseroles, fried chicken, gravy and more! Just look at the recipe and simply replace any gluten item that it calls for with a gluten-free substitute. It helps if your gluten-free flour is an “all purpose flour” containing xantham gum. The flour I use for basic cooking, quick breads, cookies and cakes is called Better Batter:
For baking, which again, is another subject, I use Jules gluten-free flour (purchased directly from her website) because it makes the best bread products I’ve tasted. If you’re looking for more inspiration, feel free to follow my Pinterest boards which include recipes I’ve tried and love as well as recipes I haven’t tried yet, but am thinking about!