What Cornmeal Is Gluten Free? Gluten Free Cornmeal Brands

Last Updated on June 28, 2022

Today, we’re going to be answering the question: what cornmeal is gluten free? And taking a look at which brands are the best to buy when looking for gluten-free cornmeal. Cornmeal is a staple food in many countries, and while it is naturally gluten-free, the final product is, unfortunately, not always gluten-free. We’ll be taking a look at why that is, and what brands are safe when it comes to gluten-free cornmeal.

What Is Cornmeal?

Meal is another word for coarse flour. Cornmeal is simply ground from corn and is very similar aesthetically to flour. Cornmeal can come in many different consistencies such as coarse or fine. Cornmeal is usually made from yellow or white corn and is a popular staple food across the world. If you don’t like the taste of corn – you’ll definitely not like cornmeal!

Learn more about Polenta & Is It Gluten-Free?

Ingredients In Cornmeal

While it sounds as though there may be more than one ingredient in cornmeal, that is not the case. The only ingredient you’ll find in cornmeal is, unsurprisingly, corn!

Nutritional Information Of Cornmeal

If you’re wondering what the nutritional value is when it comes to cornmeal – look no further. Each cup contains the following:

• Calories: 581
• Fat: 2.7g
• Sodium: 11mg
• Potassium: 223mg
• Carbs: 125g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 2.5g
• Protein: 11g

Is Cornmeal Gluten Free?

While cornmeal is naturally gluten-free, as corn is a gluten-free grain – the end product that hits our supermarket shelves may not be gluten-free. This is because of something called cross-contact. To put it simply, cross-contact is when food that does not contain gluten comes into contact with gluten-containing grains.

This is common when milling grains because they are usually milled in the same place. Because of this, it’s best to opt for products that carry a gluten-free label, so you can be sure they’re as safe as can be. Products that display a gluten-free label have been tested for gluten, so there is no worry of cross-contact.

Is Corn Gluten Free?

Much like cornmeal, corn is also naturally gluten-free. However, also like cornmeal, there is a huge chance of cross-contact. For this reason, you should choose gluten-free brands to ensure they’re as safe as can possibly be.

Gluten Free Cornmeal Brands

When buying cornmeal, it’s important to choose gluten-free brands. While you may think this is difficult, there are actually plenty of certified gluten-free brands of cornmeal available. Here’s a round-up of the most accessible brands – and the best tasting too.

Bob’s Red Mill

Bob’s Red Mill is not an exclusively gluten-free brand, but they do have a huge selection of gluten-free products. And they just so happen to be my go-to choice when it comes to many gluten-free staples, including cornmeal. Whether you’re using this cornmeal to make polenta, cornbread, or even corn muffins – it’s incredibly versatile and great for baking.

As well as being certified gluten-free, this product also prides itself on being Kosher, vegan, 100% whole grain, and high in fiber. The only ingredient is, of course, whole grain corn. And it costs just over $4 a bag. You can find out more about this cornmeal here.

Arrowhead Mills

Arrowhead Mills is another brand that offers a wide selection of gluten-free staples. They offer a gluten-free organic yellow cornmeal. You can even use this cornmeal to coat foods for frying, as well as making tortillas too.

As well as being certified gluten-free, it’s also certified organic and non-GMO. Because of this, you can expect to spend slightly more on this cornmeal.

P.A.N Cornmeal

P.A.N. is another certified free brand, which you can use for all of the same cooking and baking as the brands listed above. It’s premium corn and 100% natural. This brand is also widely available in the UK, as well as the US. It’s a great source of fiber and vitamins.

Yummmy Cornmeal

The Yummmy Cornmeal may not be as accessible as the other brands, but it really is a great choice if you can find it. As well as being certified gluten-free, it’s also certified Kosher and 100% natural. This product is a good source of phosphorus and iron. It’s made by a small family business in the US, and it’s a good time to be supporting small businesses.

Read more about: What To Use Instead Of Cornmeal For Your Cornbread

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question: what cornmeal is gluten-free? And give you an idea of the best brands of gluten-free cornmeal to buy. It may be tempting to buy cornmeal that doesn’t contain a gluten-free label, but I don’t think it’s worth the risk.

Do you know of any other gluten-free brands of cornmeal? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below.

FAQs

Zoe Collins

Hi, my name’s Zoë. I’m 28 years old and live in London, UK. I work full time as a freelance writer and critic for West End theatre. Writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I spend most of my free time at the theatre, or at conventions. I’m married to the love of my life, and live in a small apartment with my fur baby, Lillie. I run two of my own blogs: No Safer Place and Stage to Page: both of which have won awards. I also have a YouTube channel where I talk about all things stagey.