A Guide to Safe Gluten-Free Salad Dressings, Plus Dressings to Avoid
Updated: Apr. 01, 2020
Think all salad dressing is safe? Better check our guide to safe gluten-free salad dressings, plus dressings and ingredients to watch out for.
Unlike, say, bread or beer, salad dressing seems like it should be naturally gluten-free, right? Nope! Many salad dressings hide gluten-containing ingredients, especially if you’re buying bottled dressing from the store. Here’s a guide to which dressings are gluten-free, dressings that often contain gluten and what to watch for on the label.
Safe Gluten-Free Salad Dressings
In general, many salad dressings are naturally gluten-free. These options are generally safe. If you’re buying bottled salad dressing, always check the label. Many brands proudly call out that they’re gluten-free; if not, check the nutrition facts.
- Vinaigrette. Vinaigrette is almost always gluten-free, whether it’s made with red wine, champagne or balsamic vinegar. If you’re buying bottle vinaigrette, stop! It’s so easy to make homemade vinaigrette.
- Italian dressing. A vinaigrette jazzed up with herbs and garlic, most Italian dressing should be GF.
- Caesar salad dressing. Traditional Caesar dressing is gluten-free even if prepared with Worcestershire sauce. Unless you’re going homemade, best to check.
- Mayonnaise. Making tuna or potato salad? Mayonnaise, which is generally thickened with eggs, is almost always gluten-free.
- Yogurt- or buttermilk-based dressings. Perfect for creamy spring salads, dressings made with dairy tend to be gluten-free because they don’t require artificial thickeners.
- Ranch dressing. The beloved creamy dressing is typically available gluten-free, but be careful. Hidden Valley makes both Original Ranch Homestyle and Original Ranch Light gluten-free, but Organic Ranch is not GF. It’s tricky, so always check the label!
Our top-rated gluten-free recipes will please every eater.
Safe Gluten-Free Salad Dressing Brands
Many brands specialize in gluten-free dressing and clearly label their products. A few popular options include:
- Annie’s
- Cardini’s
- Drew’s Organics
- Ken’s Foods
- Marie’s
- Newman’s Own
- Organicville
- Primal Kitchen
- Skinnygirl
You might want to keep this list on your refrigerator. Then, bookmark our favorite allergy-free recipes for kids.
Warning Signs That Salad Dressing Contains Gluten
So, why would salad dressings even need to add gluten? Understanding why gluten is added can help you spot it more quickly.
For flavor: A gluten-containing ingredient might contribute flavor to the dressing. Malt vinegar always contains gluten. Soy sauce is generally made with wheat, so be careful around Asian-flavored dressings. Some brands of mustard and other condiments contain gluten. Blue cheese often contains gluten due to the cheesemaking process. The good news is, if gluten is added for flavor, it’s usually pretty obvious because it’s not a hidden or mysteriously named ingredient.
For thickening: Creamy or unctuous dressings may use gluten ingredients as thickening agents. Look for ingredients like “food starch,” “modified food starch,” and, of course, “flour” on the label.
As filler ingredients: This catch-all category is the trickiest to spot. Generally, the more processed and artificial a salad dressing is, the more likely that it will contain a sneaky gluten filler. Check the ingredients list for these vague, red-flag words: flavorings, artificial flavorings, natural flavorings, artificial color, Dextrin and spice blend.
If you’re new to eating gluten-free, it can seem overwhelming to learn what’s safe and unsafe. The good news is, more brands than ever are aware of gluten and are careful to label their products; many are even cutting out unnecessary gluten entirely. There’s no shame in skipping the fine print and only buying a product that’s clearly labeled.
Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes
Sheet-Pan Honey Mustard ChickenThis sheet-pan chicken is an easy gluten-free, low-carb meal ideal for busy weekdays. The chicken is tender, juicy and so delicious! It's now on the list of our favorite meals. You can substitute any low-carb vegetable for green beans. —Denise Browning, San Antonio, Texas. Plan your week ahead with this easy gluten-free meal plan.
Take a look at these delicious gluten-free bread recipes.
Pressure-Cooker Salsa London BroilI love using my pressure cooker for this recipe—the dish comes together so quickly but still has that long, slow-cooked flavor. The veggies semi-melt into the sauce to give it an added savory taste and the lime gives it a pleasant finish. —Ann R Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Cauliflower Tikka MasalaI'm a vegetarian, and it can be challenging to find new recipes. This cauliflower tikka masala is my easy take on the original. —Garima Arora, Charlotte, North Carolina
Portobello and Chickpea Sheet-Pan SupperThis is a fantastic meatless dinner or an amazing side dish. It works well with a variety of sheet-pan-roasted vegetables. We enjoy using zucchini or squash in the summer, and you can also change up the herbs in the dressing. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Strawberry Tarragon Chicken SaladAfter thinking about creating this salad for some time, one spring I used my homegrown strawberries and fresh tarragon to do a little experimenting. It didn't take me very long to come up with a winner! My husband enjoyed my creation as much as I did, and now we can't wait for strawberry season to come around each year. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken BreastsMy husband is not crazy about chicken, but one of his favorite snacks is jalapeno poppers. So I created this fast dinnertime recipe to give the chicken plenty of flavor. He loves it cooked this way, and best of all is the quick cooking with little cleanup! —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato SkilletThis quick one-dish dinner helped keep my husband and me on track throughout the week while we were still learning to balance our busy schedules. — Shannon Barden, Alpharetta, Georgia
Caribbean Shrimp BowlAfter switching to a paleo diet a few years ago, we have started eating tons of veggies for almost every meal—yes, even breakfast. We’ve gotten used to swapping in cauliflower, broccoli and kale in place of carbs like rice or potatoes. This bowl is literally chock-full of veggies and has tons of Caribbean-inspired flavor! Plus, it is so simple to make and uses one skillet! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Egg-Topped Grilled Asparagus with Cajun ShrimpI make this dish whenever I feel as if I've been eating too many carbs. I love that it's easy, quick and low in calories. It's a tasty way to get myself back on track and eating healthier. If you don't have Parmesan on hand, any hard cheese will work with this meal. —Cheryl Green, Stanwood, Washington
Sesame Cilantro ShrimpOn days when I don't feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I reach for shrimp. I can have a hot meal in the table in 10 minutes. —Tami Penunuri, League City, Texas
Pronto Vegetarian PeppersIn the summer I love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll. At the end of summer, I freeze them for cold months when produce costs are high. For a hot meal on a cold day, I love to serve them with a side of warm pasta tossed in olive oil. —Renee Hollobaugh, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Gluten-Free Chili Beef PastaAfter I got married, my aunt gave me her recipe for skillet spaghetti and told me it was ideal for a quick weeknight meal. Over the years I’ve tinkered with the ingredients and played with the seasonings to make it healthier. It's a dish my family truly loves. —Kristen Killian, Depew, New York
Chicken and Falafel WafflesThese gluten-free waffles made from garbanzo beans perfectly complement Moroccan-spiced chicken with cucumber relish. They're a savory, low-carb spin on a classic comfort dish. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Spicy Coconut Shrimp with QuinoaHelp yourself to a plate full—generous servings are still lower in calories and big on protein. If you have company, you can add a salad and call it a day. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
Southern Pork & RiceAt our house, we're big on healthy eating. These ultra tender chops with colorful rice and black-eyed peas are a meal fancy enough for a dinner party. —Annie Holmes, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Pineapple Shrimp Fried RiceMy husband often ordered pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, so I surprised him by tweaking some similar recipes to come up with a version that's both simple and delicious. —Bonnie Brien, Pacific Grove, California
Green Curry Salmon with Green BeansLike a lot of people here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, my boyfriend, Michael, loves to fish. When we have an abundance of fresh salmon on hand, this is one way we cook it. —Amy Paul Maynard, Albany, Oregon
Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime ButterThis grilled chicken gets a lovely pop of color and flavor from the lime butter—don't skip it! —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Lettuce-Wrap BurgersThese fresh flavors blend like a dream. It's a snap to throw the wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa
Sheet-Pan Shrimp FajitasI love easy weeknight dinners such as this one. The sheet-pan shrimp fajitas come together so quickly and are customizable with your favorite toppings. —Carla Hubl, Hastings, Nebraska
Zucchini Pizza CasseroleMy husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Vegetable, Steak and EggsLow-carb doesn't have to mean skimpy—here's a lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida
Chicken ProvoloneChicken Provolone, though one of my simplest dishes, is one of my husband’s favorites. It is easy to prepare and looks fancy served on a dark plate with a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. Add some buttered noodles for an easy side dish. —Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska
Grilled Brown Sugar-Mustard ChickenI came up with this recipe in college and it's been a household staple ever since. It's a snap to throw together with ingredients I have on hand. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Herbed Pork ChopsHerbs are a fast and flavorful way to dress up pork. Plus, they make the chops look so pretty on a platter. I prepare these year-round as a way to capture the taste of summer. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio
Zippy Turkey ZoodlesEating healthy doesn't mean sacrificing flavor—and these spiced-up zoodles prove it. If you don't have a spiralizer, simply slice the zucchini julienne-style. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Chicken Thighs with Shallots & SpinachWhat could be better than an entree that comes with its own creamy vegetable side? This healthy supper goes together in no time flat and makes an eye-catching presentation. —Genna Johannes, Wrightstown, Wisconsin
Shrimp & Feta SkilletMy friend’s feisty Italian grandmother, Gemma, makes a dish similar to my shrimp with tomatoes. When I make this recipe, I think of Gemma and smile while stirring. —Celeste Ehrenberg, Topeka, Kansas
Scallops with Wilted SpinachTwo of my favorite foods are bacon and seafood. In this dish, I get them together with white wine, shallots and baby spinach. Serve with bread to soak up the tasty broth. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Mahi Mahi & Veggie SkilletCooking mahi mahi with a mix of vegetables may seem complex, but I developed this skillet recipe to bring out the wow factor without the hassle and fuss. —Solomon Wang, Arlington, Texas
Dilly Barbecued TurkeyThis is one of my brother-in-law's special cookout recipes. The onions, garlic and herbs in the marinade make a tasty, tender turkey, and the tempting aroma prompts the family to gather around the grill.
—Sue Walker, Greentown, Indiana
Originally Published: April 01, 2020
