Is Polenta Gluten Free?

Is Polenta Gluten Free?

With more people discovering that they have celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, gluten has become the talk of the food industry. Though gluten isn't harmful to people who can easily digest it, it can cause severe digestive upset and symptoms for those who cannot. If you've recently transitioned over to a gluten free diet, then you're likely wondering which foods you can and cannot consume. While many foods on the market contain gluten, there is an abundance of gluten free foods just waiting for you to trypolenta being one of our favorites! Whether you're a long-time fan of polenta or a new to this ingredient, incorporating it into a gluten free diet can have several benefits. Keep scrolling to learn more about polenta, its gluten free properties, and how you can use it to create delicious meals.

What Is Gluten?

When switching to a gluten free diet, it may seem as though gluten is found in just about everything. Certain types of bread, pasta, beer and even nutritional supplements may contain gluten, making them off-limits for those avoiding the protein. But what is gluten exactly? Simply put, gluten is a plant protein found in wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives. Some of the most common gluten-containing derivatives of these grains include:
  • Durum wheat
  • Semolina
  • Spelt
  • Farina
  • Farro
  • Triticale
  • Malt (malted barley flour, malted milk, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, malt vinegar, etc.)
  • Brewer's Yeast
  • Wheat Starch
Though gluten is naturally occurring, it can also be extracted and added to foods to add protein, flavor and texturethis means that some foods that are naturally gluten free may be off-limits once they're modified. Additionally, gluten is commonly used in baked goods to bind the ingredients of a recipe together, allowing the dish to maintain its shape.

Who Should Avoid Gluten?

womna havin stomach pain holing gluten sign Contrary to popular belief, gluten isn't bad for you. In fact, most individuals can enjoy gluten symptom-free. However, gluten can be harmful to people with various conditions such as celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Here's a quick overview of situations in which individuals should not consume gluten.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that makes avoiding gluten mandatory. For individuals with celiac disease, gluten causes damage to the small intestines, provoking painful symptoms and digestive upset.

Gluten Intolerance

When gluten is consumed, gluten intolerant individuals experience irritation in their digestive tract and intestines, resulting in pain, bloating and digestive upset.

Wheat Allergy

Individuals with a wheat allergy are often advised to consume a gluten free diet. While they may not be allergic to all grains, or gluten itself, it minimizes the chances of an allergic reaction.

Gluten Ataxia

Though incredibly rare, gluten ataxia is a neurological autoimmune disorder that causes your body to attack specific parts of your brain when gluten is consumed.

How to Know if an Ingredient Is Gluten Free?

When searching for gluten free products and ingredients, a general rule of thumb is that if a product does not contain wheat, barley, rye or their derivatives, it is free of gluten. That being said, not everything free of gluten is safe to consume on a gluten free diet. Foods processed in factories alongside gluten-containing ingredients are at risk of contamination. Because even a minuscule amount of gluten can cause symptoms in someone allergic to it, foods purchased must be certified gluten free and processed in a gluten free facility. When purchasing pre-made foods and grains, it's essential to read all ingredients and food labels to check for gluten free certification.

Polentapolenta

Is polenta gluten free? Now that we know what is and is not gluten free, we also know that polenta is suitable for a gluten free diet. Polenta, a type of cornmeal porridge, first originated in Northern Italy. Though it hasn't made its way to the top of the trending health foods list in the US just yet, it's a staple that many Italian Americans enjoy regularly and can be used in Italian recipes ranging from Polenta Pizza to Scallops and Polenta. Typically made with coarse yellow cornmeal, finely ground white and yellow cornmeal is also available. Polenta is undoubtedly a dish to remember, served thick and topped with sauce, ragu, or cheese.

Varieties of Polenta

Like oatmeal, polenta can be found in several varieties. The variety of polenta used is determined by what it's added to and how it's presented from coarsely ground to finely ground. Here are a few of the most common types of polenta available in stores.
  • Coarse ground polenta
  • Yellow Corn Polenta
  • Finely ground polenta
  • Instant polenta
  • White polenta
  • Precooked (tube) polenta

What Does Polenta Taste Like?

Made solely from corn, it's no surprise that polenta embodies corn's sweetness. When cooked correctly, polenta will taste smooth and sweet, not bitter and raw. While polenta's taste may vary depending on the cooking method used, the better the quality of the cornmeal you start with, the better your dish will taste.

Gluten Free Polenta Recipes

Ready to begin adding polenta to your gluten free meal plan? These delicious gluten free polenta recipes are sure to help you get started. From a dessert-like cake to a cheesy casserole, there's a recipe on this list that will suit everyone's taste preferences.

Grilled Tomato Polenta with Gorgonzola

If you're new to making polenta, it's best to start with the basics. Creating a basic polenta recipe like this one is an excellent way to see if this dish is one that you enjoy. If you decide you enjoy eating polenta, you can take it to the next level by adding grilled veggies and cheese to the mix. For a polenta recipe that's sure to have the dinner table talking, try out this Grilled Tomato Polenta with Gorgonzola. This recipe combines hearty Bob's Red Mill Yellow Corn Polenta with crumbled gorgonzola cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and spices to create a mouthwatering dish. Top it with a bit of fresh basil, and it's sure to be a recipe that all of your dinner guests will remember.

Gluten Free Polenta Cake with Fresh Berries and Buttercream

Whether you're following a gluten free diet or baking for individuals who are, making gluten free baked goods can be tricky. Aside from adding protein to the dish, gluten binds all of the recipe's ingredients together, helping the baked treat hold its form. This makes it especially useful when baking a fluffy cake recipe. That being said, if not appropriately substituted, baking a cake without gluten could result in a crumbly mess. To create a gluten free cake that tastes delicious and handles well, we recommend following a gluten free recipe that's been tried and tested. Substituting traditional wheat flour with polenta is an excellent way to create a cake sans gluten in a short amount of time. Plus, it tastes delicious! Create a gluten free cake that's sure to surpass all expectations and make this Gluten Free Polenta Cake with Fresh Berries and Buttercream. Moist and delicious, it's sure to be a hit amongst family and friends, whether they eat gluten or not. The combination of our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and Gluten Free Medium Cornmeal creates a luscious cake-like texture. In addition, the crunch of cornmeal mixed with the sweet flavors of buttercream and berries provides the perfect balance of flavors to make an extraordinary dessert.

Cheesy Polenta Casserole with Gorgonzola

If you love biting into cheesy dishes, you'll be happy to know that polenta and cheese go hand in hand. Making a large plate of polenta and combining it with cheese is an easy way to feed a crowd while providing an entirely gluten free meal option. And, when baked in a casserole dish, it's easy to serve as well! To bake up a polenta casserole that will satisfy your gluten free guests, try out this Cheesy Polenta Casserole with Gorgonzola. It's made with just a few simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have, and bakes in under an hour. Polenta, onion, parmesan and gorgonzola are the stars of this recipe and are complemented with a handful of spices. A recipe that yields 20 servings, it's ideal for evenings when you're expecting gluten free guests. Now that you know more about polenta and its gluten free properties, it's time to start cooking with it. Ideal for gluten free and grain free cooking, polenta can be used to create sweet and savory recipes that eaters of all ages will enjoy. Whether you choose from one of the recipes above or create your own, we're confident that polenta will earn a spot in your pantry. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a healthy and happy day! Do you enjoy cooking with polenta regularly? We'd love to hear more about the delicious recipe you create with this superfood ingredient. Share your favorite polenta-based meals with us in the comments below.
Bob's Red Mill
April 14 2022

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