13 Items Every Gluten-Free Person Should Have In The Fridge

The gluten-free lifestyle has become more popular than ever. Whether it's due to a new diet, a lifelong allergy or having Celiac disease, gluten is now forbidden in many pantries and refrigerators around the world. While removing gluten from the home might take some effort, it isn’t all that difficult. Stocking a fridge with nutritious and delicious gluten-free foods, however, can take some time to perfect.

You should have eggs and yoghurt in your fridge. These are both breakfast staples and key ingredients for gluten-free baking. Almond flour can also be kept in the fridge. Coconut aminos, gluten-free condiments in squeeze bottles, and salsa are also essential. Corn tortillas, vegetables, rice, and quinoa are starchy items to keep in the fridge when you’re hungry. 

Transitioning to a gluten-free lifestyle can be challenging at first, especially since so many everyday products have gluten. It gets easier once you learn all the foods you can eat and which ones to avoid. The key is keeping your home stocked with all your favorite gluten-free essentials so you never have to worry. Below is a list of what every gluten-free person should have in the fridge.

13 Gluten Free Products You Should Keep In The Fridge

1. Coconut Aminos

Some items with gluten are obvious, like bread and pasta. Fewer people know that soy sauce and other condiments contain gluten. If you love Asian cuisine, but can’t have soy sauce, then opt for coconut aminos. 

Coconut aminos are a dark brown color and are made by fermenting coconut palm sap. Thanks to the fermentation, salty taste, and color, they make a great soy sauce alternative. You can use it to dip your sushi or add coconut aminos to your favorite gluten-free stir fry. 

2. Almond Flour

Almond flour has become one of the go-to gluten-free flours for baking. This flour is already used in many cookie and cake recipes, so it’s no surprise that you can make some tasty treats with this non-gluten flour.

Since flour stored in the pantry goes bad faster, some people opt to store it in the freezer portion of the refrigerator. This will keep your expensive flour fresh for much longer than if you store it in the pantry.

3. Salsa

There are a lot of condiments that have traces of gluten, especially ones that are loaded with additives. One condiment that is healthy and packed with flavor, and rarely has gluten, is salsa. 

Salsa is a great gluten-free staple because you can use it to dip gluten-free chips and crackers in, and even liven up a breakfast bowl. Since plenty of Mexican food is gluten-free, it’s wise to have at least one good salsa in the fridge.

4. Eggs

Many people are looking for egg substitutes due to the rising price of this kitchen staple. When the price levels out, however, eggs are a gluten-free kitchen’s best friend. They are a fantastic source of protein, and you can eat them at any time of day.

Eggs also help level and lighten up your baked items. This is essential, as gluten-free flour usually makes denser baked goods, so eggs help make your gluten-free bread and cake taste more like the real thing.

5. Fresh Vegetables

One fridge staple that’s essential for a healthy lifestyle of any kind is fresh vegetables. When you are gluten-free this is even more important. Leafy greens and other veggies are a great source of fiber, which is essential to help lower cholesterol. Since you can’t have whole grains, vegetables are the best bet.

Starchy and root vegetables like potatoes, beets, carrots, and others are filling, which is important when you can’t eat bread.

6. Stocks And Broths

A lot of sauces have gluten in them. Flour and bread crumbs are used to thicken many soups and to make gravy. Therefore, cooking soups and stews from scratch is always a smart idea if you are living a gluten-free life.

To make this easier, you should always have stocks and broths on hand. You can store them in portioned containers in the freezer, and take one out the night before you plan to use it. This will make cooking from scratch much easier and also more delicious.

7. Milk Or Milk Substitute

Milk is naturally gluten-free and is another fridge staple that is essential to the life of just about every gluten-free person. However, if you are lactose intolerant there are many non-dairy milks you can stock in your home. Just ensure you choose a gluten-free option. Soy milk, for example, is not gluten-free. You will use milk in everything from your morning granola to a soothing cocoa at the end of the day.

8. Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas are a gluten-free person’s best friend. Since bread and most wraps are off-limits, corn tortillas are one of the only starchy and bread-like items you can keep in the fridge. They are great for everything from tacos to quesadillas, and even tasty wraps.

If you store your tortillas properly in the fridge, they will last many weeks. They are the perfect go-to when you need something filling, or even just a simple snack.

9. Condiments In Squeeze Bottles

If you are celiac or have a strong gluten allergy, then you need to ensure there is no trace of gluten in your food. If you have gluten eaters in the home, then there’s a chance your condiments are contaminated.

It’s easy for bread crumbs to spill into nut butters and jams. To help limit this contamination, try to find as many gluten-free condiments in squeeze bottles as you can. This will ensure these condiments never touch gluten.

10. Beans

Beans are a great high-protein and high-fiber food. They are also very filling, and best of all, gluten-free. Soaking beans can take a long time, so it’s smart to have beans already prepped and ready to go in your fridge.

This makes it easy to add these nutritious legumes into soups, on top of nachos, or sprinkled on salads.

11. Nut Butter

A lot of sweets have gluten. But you can easily make your own tasty sweets with nut butter as a base. You can make protein balls, fudge, and gluten-free cookies with nut butter. You can also simply smear it on your favorite gluten-free bread or crackers. 

Nut butter can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature, but it can last longer in the fridge. Just ensure you don’t share it with anyone who eats gluten, as you want to avoid cross-contamination.

12. Yogurt 

Yogurt is a breakfast staple, and it’s also a gluten-free cooking staple. You can use it as a base for a parfait or as a key ingredient in baking. Many types of yogurt are also probiotics. This is something worth noting, as you want to ensure you maintain a healthy gut if you are on a gluten-free diet.

13. Rice Or Quinoa 

While raw rice and quinoa are stored in the pantry, you should have at least one grain cooked and ready in your fridge. When you can’t eat gluten, it means you have limited access to quick, filling ingredients. 

Having rice or quinoa that just needs one minute to warm up in the microwave is much better than having raw rice that will take 30 minutes to cook. Try to make extra every time to prepare rice, quinoa, or a gluten-free ancient grain for a meal.

Wrapping Up Gluten-Free Items You Should Keep In Your Fridge

If you recently started living a gluten-free life, or are hosting a gluten-free visitor, you’ll want to know exactly what you should have in your fridge. Certain everyday staples that every gluten-free fridge needs are milk, eggs, yogurt, and vegetables. 

Buy condiments in squeeze bottles if you can find them. Keep coconut aminos and salsa handy, and store your favorite nut butter in the fridge. You can keep cooked rice or quinoa and ready-to-go broths in the fridge to make cooking from scratch easier.

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