Whether salad dressing is gluten free is a confusing topic, because many dressings do contain gluten in additives, while others do not.
When you are at the store, gazing at a bottle of dressing and wondering if it contains gluten, first check the food allergen statement on products to see if it says “contains wheat.” If there is a statement that says “contains wheat,” the dressing is not gluten free.
When you look at the ingredient list, check for wheat, rye or barley and ingredients that might contain gluten that are often found in salad dressing. These include:
- Artificial color
- Dextrin
- Ground spices
- Natural Flavorings
- Malt
- Malt vinegar
- Flour
- Soy sauce
- Food starch
Gluten-free salad dressings
Here are some gluten-free salad dressing options to look out for in stores (as of the time this article was published). Please look at the ingredients in each salad dressing to ensure that it is gluten free, as ingredients in products can change!
The information in our ingredients index will help you read a food label. It is based on the research we have done by interviewing experts in the field of food science, so review the list if you see any suspicious ingredients in your salad dressing.
- Brianna’s Salad Dressings (12 of their dressings are gluten free, but not all of them)
- Cardini’s (except Roasted Asian Sesame dressing)
- Girard’s (except Sundried Tomato and Artichoke and Chinese Chicken Salad)
- Hidden Valley (check the label to make sure your flavor is gluten free)
- Marzetti’s (not all are gluten free, though most are)
- Newman’s Own (except Family Recipe Italian Dressing and Sesame Ginger Dressing)
- Organicville
- Pfeiffer
- Ken’s (64 of their 68 dressings are gluten free)
Make your own salad dressing
It’s not hard to make a gluten-free dressing of your own! Experiment with some of our recipes until you find your favorite.
- Grilled Peach and Avocado Salad with Lemon Shrimp and Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing
- Roasted Baby Potato & Watercress Salad with Lemon Dressing
- Shaved Carrot Salad with Citrus Tahini Dressing
- Thai Chicken Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing
If you prefer something simple, just season your salad with salt and pepper, a squeeze of lime juice and olive oil to taste!
Gluten-free salad toppings
Think you have to go without croutons or other salad fixings because you are gluten free? Think again! These gluten-free salad toppers will add fantastic flavor to your mixed greens.
Grate Parmesan
Go Veggie Lactose Free Grated Parmesan cheese alternative is the perfect addition to any salad for all you cheese lovers out there. It’s not limited to salad either. Sprinkle it on pizza, pasta and even popcorn—any dish or snack that could use a Parmesan punch. And this tasty, versatile topping is both lactose and gluten free.
Get dressed up
A salad with no dressing is really no salad at all. Luckily, Briannas Fine Salad Dressings has got you covered (literally!), since 12 of their 15 salad dressings are gluten free. Their tasty varieties include Champagne Vinaigrette, Rich Poppy Seed, Blush Wine Vinaigrette and Creamy Cilantro Lime, so go ahead and get dressed.
Sprinkled with love
Ever have difficulty putting together the perfect mix of toppings to complement your salad? Never fear! Sheffa Salad Sprinkles are here to do the heavy lifting for you. Each package contains a variety of gluten-free ingredients carefully selected to boost your salad. Your dinner guests never need be the wiser!
Get your crouton on
Salads are healthy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t occasionally need help in the taste department. That’s where Ian’s stepped in to create a line of delicious gluten-free croutons. Available in a variety of flavors including Italian and Rosemary Garlic, they are sure to spice up any salad.
