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How to Grind Flaxseed Meal (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Learn how to grind flaxseed meal in just 5 minutes! All you need are whole flax seeds and a blender (both golden or brown will work!), and you’ll never need to buy storebought flaxmeal again.

Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, keto and paleo, this homemade flaxseed meal is perfect for making banana flaxseed waffles, flax almond bread, making flax eggs as an egg substitute, or flaxseed breakfast porridge!

A wooden spoon in a bowl of golden flaxseed meal.

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What are Flax Seeds?

Flax, also known as the common flax or linseed, is a flowering plant in the Linaceae family, and is grown both as a food and fiber crop.

Textiles made from flax seeds are known as linen (hence “linseed”), and are most often used to make bedsheets, table linen, or even underclothing.

Foodwise, flax seeds, can be ground into a meal.

The seeds are also used for pressing into flax seed oil, which is also called linseed oil (a product that’s often used as a nutritional supplement).

Hand holding up a handful of golden flax seeds from a bowl.

Difference Between Golden and Brown Flax Seeds

The two most common and basic varieties of flax seeds are brown flax seeds or yellow (golden) flax seeds. Both varieties are used equally frequently, and have similiar nutritional profiles.

Color: The biggest difference between both brown and golden flax seeds are in their color (as you can see in the image below).

Taste: In terms of flavor, golden flax seeds tend to be a little milder in taste, while brown flax seeds have a slightly more pronounced nutty and earthy flavor.

Golden flax seeds and brown flax seeds in a white bowls.

What are the Benefits of Flax Seeds?

Flax seeds are primarily made up of healthy unsaturated fats and dietary fiber, which makes them a great food to incorporate into our diet (and helps you go to the toilet more often!)

Flax seeds are also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, keto-friendly, and paleo-friendly too, which means practically everyone can enjoy them!

Recipes to Make with Ground Flaxseed:

  • As an Egg Substitute: If you’re allergic to eggs, or simply vegan, you can also make flax eggs as a replacement for eggs!

Why Make Your Own Homemade Flaxseed Meal?

While you can easily find pre-made ground flaxseed in stores, I do not recommend buying the storebought version.

Because of the oils released when they are ground, fresh flaxseed meal can go rancid rather quickly and often doesn’t last for more than a week.

I can’t imagine just how long the premade ground flaxseed meal has been sitting around on the shelves/storage containers before finally making its way to your kitchen (but it’s surely more than a week, and probably rancid by then!).

On the other hand, whole flax seeds can last for more than 6 months past their expiration date, so I recommend grinding your own homemade flaxseed meal from whole flax seeds instead (and only in the quantities and amount you need) – this ensures maximum freshness and best possible taste.

Flaxseed meal and whole flax seeds on a white marble board.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

All you need to make flaxseed meal at home is literally just whole flax seeds. You can choose to use either brown flax seeds or golden flax seeds (as shown below).

Hand holding a bowl of golden flax seeds.

How to Grind Flaxseed Meal (Step by Step)

1. Place Flaxseed in Blender

Place the whole flax seeds in a high-speed blender.

Hand holding a blender with whole golden flax seeds.

2. Process Until You Get a Meal

Process the whole flax seeds for a minute, scraping down the sides as needed until you get a fine meal.

Hand holding a blender with ground golden flaxseed meal.

3. Pass Through Sieve

Pass the flaxseed meal through a fine-mesh sieve to filter out any larger pieces. Return the larger pieces that did not pass through the sieve to the blender and process another time, before passing it through the sieve again.

Sifting golden flaxseed meal through a fine mesh sieve.

4. Use or Store

Use flaxseed meal immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

A glass jar of golden flax meal on a white marble board.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

  • Make Sure to Sift the Flaxseed Meal: Whenever I make my own homemade flours, I find that I get the best results when I sift the flours/meals through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure that only the finest parts pass through, and any large parts are filtered out.

Recipe FAQs:

How to Store Homemade Flaxseed Meal?

For best results, store the freshly ground flaxseed meal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

How Long Is Flaxseed Good After Grinding?

Since ground flaxseed meal can only last for 1 week after being ground, I highly suggest that you only grind the amount you need.

What if I don’t Have a Blender?

If you do not have a high-speed blender, you can also use a food processor or a coffee grinder.

How to Tell if Flaxeed Meal is Rancid?

Fresh flax seeds, and ground flaxseed meal should smell and taste nutty, and if they have gone rancid, they will tend to have a bitter taste and smell. If your flax seeds or flaxmeal is rancid, make sure to throw them out.

Bowls of ground flaxseed and whole flax seeds.

Other Homemade Flours You’ll Love:

Basics Recipes to Stock Your Kitchen With:

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How to Grind Flaxseed (Flaxseed Meal)


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Learn how to grind flaxseed meal in just 5 minutes! All you need are whole flax seeds and a blender (both golden or brown will work!), and you’ll never need to buy storebought flaxmeal again.

Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, keto and paleo, this homemade flaxseed meal is perfect for making banana flaxseed waffles, flax almond bread, making flax eggs as an egg substitute, or flaxseed breakfast porridge!


Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Grind Flax Seeds: Place whole flax seeds in a high-speed blender and process for one minute, scraping down the sides as needed until you get a fine meal.
  2. Pass Through Sieve: Pass the flaxseed meal through a fine-mesh sieve to filter out any larger pieces. Return the larger pieces that did not pass through the sieve to the blender and process another time, before passing it through the sieve again.
  3. Store: Use flaxseed meal immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Equipment for Grinding Flaxseeds: If you do not have a high-speed blender, you can also use a food processor or a coffee grinder.

Grind As Needed: Since ground flaxseed meal can only last for 1 week after being ground, I highly suggest that you only grind the amount you need.

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Category: Basics
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American

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4 Comments

  1. in terms of US cups, what would be the yield of grinding 1 c of whole flaxseed? This information will help me figure out how much flaxseed I need to grind for my recipe. A too large amount of meal just means waste.

    1. Hi Hilda, grinding 1 cup of whole flaxseeds should probably get you about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups flaxseed meal. Hope this helps!

  2. Good morning Felicia,

    This is a great post where I get to know so much about the detailed knowledge of Flaxseed, the plant and its health benefits.

    Thank you and God bless!

    I love you,
    Mum

    1. Hi mummy!

      So happy you find this helpful! I learned a lot while researching the post too! 🙂

      Love you too.
      F.