Classic Gluten-Free Bread Sauce Recipe for Roast Dinners

This Gluten-Free Traditional Bread Sauce is easy to make ahead and a wonderful side for roast meals. I often pair it with roast chicken or turkey, while other favourites like Cauliflower Cheese or Onion Sauce suit roast beef and pork. The mild, comforting flavour and creamy texture make bread sauce a treasured part of a traditional British roast.

Using bread to thicken sauces is an old technique, and bread sauce itself dates back centuries. Thanks to cooks past and present, it remains a festive favourite across the UK.

What is bread sauce made of?

Bread sauce is traditionally made by simmering stale bread in milk that has been infused with onion, whole spices and herbs. The result is a thick, porridge-like sauce that’s fragrant and full-bodied.

What does bread sauce taste like?

The milk is infused with onion, cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns and a little nutmeg, producing a gentle, aromatic flavour. If you use a gluten-free sourdough loaf, the sauce can pick up a pleasant tang from the bread.

What does bread sauce accompany?

Traditionally served with poultry and game, bread sauce pairs best with milder-flavoured meats where its creamy texture and subtle spice enhance the dish without overpowering it.

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Why You’ll Love This Bread Sauce Recipe

• Can be prepared ahead of time so it’s ready when you need it.
• Use any good-quality gluten-free white bread you enjoy.
• Perfect with roast chicken, turkey and other poultry.
• Keep the crusts on the bread for texture — they add a slight chew and help avoid waste.
• A final splash of cream and a knob of butter add richness and a silky finish.

Watch the video to see how to make your bread sauce

What is the best kind of gluten-free bread to use?

Because the bread is the star of this recipe, choose a good artisan-style gluten-free loaf. A bakery-style white loaf or a well-made sourdough works best — avoid thin, dry pre-sliced loaves that don’t absorb liquid well.

If you prefer a shop-bought option in the UK, Warburton’s GF Tiger Bloomer is a solid commercial choice. Homemade gluten-free loaves also perform wonderfully.

• Gluten-Free White Sandwich Loaf
• Gluten-Free Artisan Sourdough Bread

Full list of ingredients

• Whole milk
• White onion
• Whole cloves
• Bay leaves
• Whole black peppercorns
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• Gluten-free white bread
• Sea salt
• Double cream (or heavy cream)
• Unsalted butter

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How to make Gluten-Free Bread Sauce

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

Pour milk into a saucepan and add an onion studded with whole cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns and a pinch of nutmeg. Heat until just below boiling, then remove from the heat and allow the milk to infuse for at least 2 hours.

Strain the infused milk into a saucepan, discard the aromatics, then add torn stale bread and salt. Gently simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring, until thick and creamy. Stir in cream and butter off the heat to finish.

If your loaf isn’t stale, slice and leave it on a wire rack overnight to dry slightly so it soaks up the milk better.

Make ahead

Bread sauce benefits from being made ahead so the flavours develop through the sauce. You can infuse the milk up to 2 days before finishing the recipe, and the completed sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• The infused milk can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.
• The finished sauce stores in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Serve warm or at room temperature; reheating gently preserves the sauce’s silky texture.

Note: bread sauce firms up as it cools. If you make it ahead, expect a slightly thicker texture when chilled.

Vegan Bread Sauce

To make this sauce vegan, make three substitutions:

• Replace whole milk with a plant milk such as almond or cashew milk.
• Use cashew cream in place of double cream (omit any sweeteners or vanilla).
• Swap butter for a plant-based spread, or omit it if preferred.