Are you wondering whether Spanish cuisine is a good option for someone who is on a gluten free diet? Or maybe you are looking for examples of Spanish dishes that are entirely gluten free? Well either way, you are in the right place! In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about gluten in Spanish food.
We will start off by discussing examples of Spanish dishes and ingredients that are gluten free. After that, we will discuss examples of Spanish dishes and ingredients that are not gluten free. Next, we will discuss examples of Spanish dishes that may or may not be gluten free depending on where you order them. Finally, we will discuss whether Spanish cuisine is a good option for someone on a gluten free diet.
What Spanish food is gluten free?
What Spanish food is suitable for someone who maintains a gluten free diet? In this section, we will talk all about Spanish items that are suitable for someone who is on a gluten free diet. First, we will talk about Spanish ingredients that are suitable for someone who is on a gluten free diet. After that, we will discuss examples of Spanish dishes that are suitable for someone who is on a gluten free diet.
Note that while the dishes and ingredients we discuss in this section are usually gluten free, that does not mean that they will always be gluten free at all locations. Always make sure to consult with the chef or check the allergen label to determine whether the specific item you intend to eat is gluten free.
Gluten free Spanish ingredients
What are some examples of common Spanish ingredients that are gluten free? In this section, we will discuss common Spanish ingredients that are naturally gluten free.
- Vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, asparagus, cauliflower, olives)
- Aromatics (onion, garlic)
- Meats (ham, chorizo, anchovies, fish)
- Cheeses (manchego, mahon, cabrales)
- Spices (saffron, paprika)
- Herbs (parsley, rosemary, oregano)
- Sherry vinegar
- Rice
- Olive oil
Gluten free Spanish dishes
What are some examples of Spanish dishes that are gluten free? In this section, we will discuss examples of common Spanish dishes that are usually gluten free.
- Paella
- Gazpacho (when made without bread)
- Spanish tortilla or potato omelet
- Patatas bravas
- Pimientos de padron
- Cheese stuffed pimentos
- Gambas al ajillo or garlic shrimp
- Pulpo a la gallega or octopus with paprika
- Escalivada or roasted vegetables (when served without bread)
- Charcuterie (when served without bread)
What Spanish food is not gluten free?
And what Spanish food is not gluten free? In this section, we will discuss common Spanish items that are not gluten free. We will start out by discussing common ingredients that are used in Spanish food that are not gluten free. After that, we will discuss common examples of Spanish dishes that are not gluten free.
Note that while the dishes and ingredients that we discuss in this section are not usually gluten free, that does not mean that gluten free versions of them do not exist. There may be some establishments that serve gluten free versions of these items.
Spanish ingredients that contain gluten
What are some examples of popular ingredients that are used in Spanish cooking that contain gluten? Here are some examples of common Spanish ingredients that are not gluten free.
- Wheat flour
- Bread
- Bread crumbs
Spanish dishes that contain gluten
What are some examples of common Spanish dishes that contain gluten? Here are some examples of common Spanish dishes that contain gluten.
- Croquetas
- Leche Frita
- Salmorejo or tomato and bread soup
- Bocadillo or sandwiches
Spanish food that may or may not be gluten free
What are some examples of Spanish dishes that may or may not be gluten free depending on where you get them? In this section, we will discuss popular Spanish dishes that may or may not be gluten free depending on where you get them. For each dish we discuss in this section, we will also provide information on how gluten might be introduced into this dish
- Albondigas. Albondigas are a common example of a dish that may or may not contain gluten depending on where you order the dish. Albondigas are Spanish meatballs that often contain gluten because they are made with bread crumbs or flour. That being said, some restaurants and stores do make this dish without bread products,
- Anything that is made in the fryer (cross contamination). Much like any other cuisine, you should be careful when eating food that is made in the fryer. This is particularly true if you are sensitive to trace amounts of gluten via cross contamination. There are a few common Spanish dishes that are made with wheat flour or bread crumbs that are cooked in the fryer. That means that unless a fry is specifically dedicated to gluten free food, it is likely to contain traces of gluten.
Is Spanish food suitable for someone on a gluten free diet?
Is Spanish food suitable for someone who is on a gluten free diet? In general, Spanish food is a decent option for someone who is on a gluten free diet. While there are many Spanish dishes that are served with bread or croutons, many of these dishes can just as easily be served without bread. If these dishes are served without the bread, many of them will be gluten free.
That being said, there are many Spanish dishes that are traditionally served alongside bread. Since there is a lot of bread used in Spanish cooking, there are likely to be many breadcrumbs scattered across Spanish kitchens. That means that Spanish restaurants that have dedicated gluten free cooking surfaces are generally the safest bet for people who are sensitive to small amounts of gluten through cross contamination.
Gluten free Spanish restaurants
Are you looking for Spanish restaurants that offer gluten free options? Here are some of our favorite Spanish restaurants that offer gluten free options.
- Jaleo in Washington DC, Orlando, Chicago, Las Vegas, and other locations
- Barcelona Wine Bar in Boston, Massachusetts
- Solea Restaurant and Tapas Bar in Waltham, Massachusetts
- Firefly Tapas in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Julian Serrano Tapas in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Luna Red in San Luis Obispo, California
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