10 Food and Wine Pairings Featuring Our Best Gluten-Free Recipes

GUEST BLOG BY NICHOLAS RUBRIGHT.

Food And Wine Pairing is an art that harmonizes flavors and enhances the dining experience. The delicate balance between a dish and the qualities of a wine can elevate both to new heights.

Whether it’s a robust red complementing a rich steak, a crisp white cutting through the creaminess of seafood, or a sweet dessert wine accentuating a decadent treat, the right pairing can intensify flavors and create a memorable experience. Understanding the complexities of acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and texture in food and wine allows combinations for perfect flavor.

There’s a wide misconception that gluten-free foods require a sacrifice in flavor and quality. The reality is that it just presents an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone to try new recipes. 

A bigger challenge, I would say, is wine pairing. To help with this predicament, I’ve put together a list of delicious wines to sip through with the top gluten-free recipes from Only Gluten-Free Recipes. From savory appetizers to decadent desserts – I’ve got you covered. 

Appetizers

Baked Tuna Melt Jalapeño Poppers

This ketogenic and gluten-free appetizer (or snack) is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Unlike a classic Jalapeño Popper, these are baked with a cheesy perfection with a fish protein instead of bacon or beef. Any leftovers will be a great snack throughout the week! 

Recipe Wine Pairing

The perfect wine pairing for this gluten-free Jalapeño Popper is a glass of Chardonnay. The oakier the Chardonnay, the creamier the taste will be. The medium-bodied wine complements the fatty contents of the cheeses used in the recipe. The acidity of the wine counteracts the spice.

Tear and Share Gluten Free Garlic Bread

This flavorful flatbread can be served as the perfect shareable appetizer. It’s so versatile that you’ll want to make it over and over again. While it’s delicious on its own, it’s also a great addition to pasta dishes and soup.

Recipe Wine Pairing

A fun sparkling glass of Prosecco pairs deliciously with this toasty Garlic Flatbread. The Italian light-bodied wine has a touch of sweetness that balances out the herbs and cheeses used in the recipe. Definitely a combo you don’t want to sleep on! 

Lunch

Easy Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns

These soft Hamburger Buns are what BBQ dreams are made of! During the hot summer days, you’ll want to be out enjoying nature and beach weather with delicious burgers no matter what your patty preferences may be – i.e. beef, turkey, or vegan. No matter how you spin it, these hamburger rolls are going to be the perfect home for your grilled lunch.

Recipe Wine Pairing

For this hot summer lunch, there’s no pair more perfect than red wine Sangria. This classic is great because it typically is made with medium-bodied wines such as Merlot which pairs well with meaty dishes like steak or burgers. Depending on your BBQ favorites, you may even want to try a lighter recipe like a fruity white peach Sangria. 

Smoked Salmon, Asparagus & Goat Cheese Quiche

This is the perfect brunching entree to serve on any given day! It’s made with smoked salmon, asparagus and goat cheese which gives the dish a delicious earthy flavor that pairs well with the salmon. The recipe calls for no crust, making it simple to make. Definitely a must-have for ketogenic gluten-free lovers. 

Recipe Wine Pairing

The herbal flavors found in this dish make it the perfect pairing for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The medium-bodied wine has a strong acidic flavor profile that highlights the earthy tones of the creamy goat cheese in every bite. There are several regions where you can buy a Sauvignon Blanc, but I recommend a French or Chilean bottle to really complement the quiche as a whole. 

Instant Pot Pork And Sauerkraut 

This pork and sauerkraut recipe normally takes 6 hours to cook, but this paleo-friendly recipe can be finished 5 hours faster! Instant pot recipes are great because you fill the pot and then set-it-and-forget-it. Additionally, it’s a healthy dish that has low calories and carbs.

Recipe Wine Pairing

You can’t pair this German dish with anything other than a German Riesling. The two were made for each other. Rieslings range from bone dry to really sweet. A good tip for finding the right Riesling wine to pair with this dish is to look for the bottle that says “halbtrocken,” which indicates an “off-dry” profile. You’ll want just the right balance of dry and sweet for this food-wine combo.

Dinner

Zucchini, Leeks & Bacon Gratin 

This cheesy vegetable gratin is heaven. Pair it with a side salad and you’ve got yourself a light, yet filling dinner. The best part about the recipe is its keto friendliness and simplicity.

With the ingredients mozzarella, cheddar, and bacon, it’s hard to restrain yourself during dinner. For some added flavor, try it with some Sriracha and maybe a slice or two of the Garlic Flatbread! 

Recipe Wine Pairing

A glass of Lambrusco wine makes a great pairing for this cheesy main dish. The creaminess of the mozzarella cheddar will make you crave delicate wines like Prosecco, but the robust flavors from the vegetables and bacon will need a heartier wine.

A sparkling red, like Lambrusco, is the perfect compromise for this dish. The medium-bodied wine gives you that airiness of a Prosecco while complementing the meatiness of the protein. 

15-Minute Garlic Ricotta & Tomato Pasta

This 15-Minute Pasta recipe is a dream come true. Not only is it delicious and easy to make, but it’s ready in 15 minutes! The ricotta cheese melts and blends perfectly with your choice of gluten-free pasta while the cherry tomatoes give you that burst of sweetness. Like any good Italian meal, it’s sure to be filling. 

Recipe Wine Pairing

Pair this Italian entree with a delicious glass of Pinot Noir. This highly versatile wine can be paired with an array of dishes and cheeses – ricotta being one of them. The herbal flavors in the pasta from the garlic and tomatoes pair really well with the light fruitiness of the wine. 

Instant Pot Vegan Chickpea Chili

Another set-it-and-forget-it main dish is this delicious Vegan Chickpea Chili – a delicious comfort food for any day of the week. The great thing about this gluten-free meal is all the interesting texture and flavors the ingredients add to the recipe. You’ll also love topping it off with shredded cheese and tortilla chips. 

Recipe Wine Pairing

Zinfandel wine has a smoky and spicy flavor profile that pairs perfectly with this fall-style recipe. The medium-bodied wine is robust enough to carry the flavors of the entree really well. 

Desserts

Gluten-Free No-Bake Raspberry Chocolate Tart

One of my favorite combinations is raspberries and chocolate. This overnight dessert is grain-free and can be preserved for up to 7 days in the fridge – if you can resist eating it for that long! Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream and it’s ready to serve. You can even freeze it to preserve it longer.

Recipe Wine Pairing

Such a decadent dessert calls for a bold glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. The key to pairing this high tannic red wine with dark chocolate is to use raw cocoa powder, and this secret ingredient is in this recipe! It also includes the fruitiness of fresh raspberries. The berries actually help bring out the Cabernet Sauvignon’s very own black fruit flavors as it cuts through the acidity. 

Gluten-Free French Toast Apple Strata

This gluten-free recipe is intended to be a breakfast/brunch dish, but it’s also a delicious dessert for any other time of the day. The rich layers of cinnamon apples make it taste just like french toast with a light custard in between each bite. Whether you’re baking this for 4 people or 10, this recipe will not disappoint. 

Recipe Wine Pairing

This French Toast calls for a French toast of Champagne. Whether you’re adding orange juice to your flute glass or enjoying the bubbly wine on its own, you can’t go wrong with this pairing. 

Author Bio

Nicholas Rubright

Nicholas is a digital marketing specialist for Jordan Vineyard & Winery – a California Wine company that specializes in producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Champagne, and other delicious products. Currently, his wine of choice is Syrah.

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Disclaimer:  Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of onlyglutenfreerecipes or its staff.