Is gluten-free, dairy-free bread sauce an oxymoron? Probably not. You don’t need to miss out on bread sauce just because you have dietary restrictions. For those new to it, bread sauce is a creamy, warmly spiced accompaniment traditionally served with an English roast. It’s straightforward to make, refreshes vegetables and other sides, and works beautifully with a vegan Christmas lunch.
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Origins
Bread sauce is one of Britain’s classic sauces, with roots that reach back to medieval times. Historically it was a clever way to use stale bread to thicken milk into a sauce. The basic idea has survived largely unchanged and remains a family favourite in many households.
The real magic of bread sauce is the spices and the way the milk is infused before it meets the bread. An onion studded with cloves, bay leaf, peppercorns and a touch of nutmeg give the milk a heady aroma that turns into a smooth, spiced sauce that complements roast dinners perfectly. In the UK it’s considered an essential part of the traditional Christmas meal.
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Bread Sauce?
This sauce is very nostalgic for me. I loved bread sauce as a child and, truthfully, preferred the instant packet version for a while before I came to appreciate the homemade version. When I went gluten-free, I assumed bread sauce was off the menu, but gluten-free bread works surprisingly well as a thickener. Likewise, plant milks such as oat or mild nut milks thicken similarly to dairy milk, so a gluten-free, dairy-free (or vegan) bread sauce is perfectly achievable and very tasty.
Ingredients
- Onion – a standard brown onion works best.
- Spices – cloves, bay leaf, grated nutmeg and peppercorns are the classic combination; adjust to taste.
- Oat milk – I prefer oat milk for its neutral flavour; unsweetened nut milks such as cashew or macadamia are good alternatives. If using oat milk, choose one made from gluten-free oats.
- White gluten-free bread – stale is traditional, but fresh bread can be used for a slightly glossier texture. Save bread ends in the freezer to use for sauces or croutons.
- Rapeseed (canola) or olive oil – traditionally butter would be used; for a dairy-free version use rapeseed or light olive oil, or vegan butter if you prefer a buttery flavour.
How do you make vegan GF bread sauce?
Bread sauce is simple and comforting. The method is minimal but the flavours are developed by infusing the milk with spices.
- Stud the onion with cloves and put it in a pan with the plant milk, bay leaf, peppercorns, nutmeg and a pinch of salt. Ensure the spices and onion are submerged.
- Bring to the boil, then remove from the heat and leave to infuse for 30 minutes so the milk absorbs the flavours.
- Strain the infused milk back into a clean pan. Add the gluten-free bread cubes and gently reheat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the bread breaks down and the sauce thickens (about 5 minutes). Do not let it boil.
- Whisk in a little rapeseed or light olive oil (or vegan butter) to enrich the sauce, if desired. Serve immediately.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Bread Sauce FAQs
Yes. Gluten-free bread thickens bread sauce as ordinary bread does. The thickening comes from the bread breaking down into the milk, not from gluten itself.
Oat milk is my favourite for this sauce because of its neutral taste and creamy texture. Mild nut milks such as cashew or macadamia also work well; avoid strongly flavoured almond milks if you want a subtler result.
Yes. To store for later, don’t add oil at the end—pour the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container and drizzle oil on top to form a seal. Freeze or refrigerate. To reheat, defrost in the fridge, gently warm in a saucepan without boiling, and whisk the oil back into the sauce.
Serving suggestions
Bread sauce is traditionally served with roast chicken or turkey, making it a beloved element of an English Christmas lunch. Don’t let being vegan stop you — this version pairs excellently with roast vegetables, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and a nut roast. It adds a comforting, spicy creaminess that complements all the classic roast trimmings.
Leftovers
Leftover bread sauce is excellent in pies. Mix leftover vegetables, gravy and bread sauce into a filling for a creamy vegan pot pie, or serve the sauce on the side with reheated leftovers and a spoon of cranberry sauce for brightness.
📖 Recipe 📖
Bread Sauce (Vegan and Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, peeled
- 6 cloves
- 290 ml oat milk (or any mild plant-based milk)
- 1 bay leaf
- 10 black peppercorns
- Pinch of grated nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 55 g plain gluten-free bread, cut into small cubes
- 25 g rapeseed (canola) oil or olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and halve the onion. Stud the outer surface with the cloves or cut the onion smaller so the cloves are submerged. Place the clove-studded onion into a pan with oat milk, bay leaf, peppercorns, nutmeg and salt. Bring to the boil, then remove from heat and leave to infuse for 30 minutes.
- After infusing, strain the milk through a sieve, discarding the onion and spices. Rinse the pan to remove any scum and return the strained milk to the pan.
- Add the bread cubes and gently reheat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Heat until the bread breaks down and the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Keep the mixture below boiling.
- Once thickened, whisk in the rapeseed or olive oil (or vegan butter) if using, to enrich the sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe serves six with generous portions; double it if you expect extra helpings.
- To store for later, avoid adding the oil when first making the sauce. Pour the thickened sauce into a container and add a thin layer of oil to seal it. Refrigerate or freeze. When reheating, defrost in the fridge then warm gently without boiling, stirring the oil back in as you heat.
- Ensure the cloves on the onion are covered by the milk while infusing. Cut the onion into smaller pieces if necessary so the spices are fully submerged.
Nutrition
Calories: 102 kcal | Carbohydrates: 12 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 5 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 5 g
If you like this recipe, please leave a ⭐ star rating ⭐ on the recipe card!
More Christmas Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, you may like these other vegan and gluten-free Christmas ideas:
Quick Loaded Chicory Canapés (Vegan)-
Roasted Parsnips with Wholegrain Mustard & Maple Syrup
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Braised Red Cabbage with Apple & Balsamic
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Homemade Vegan, Gluten-Free Mince Pies
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