Is garlic and herb seasoning gluten-free? A guide to safe seasoning blends

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, many commercial spice blends contain hidden gluten, making the question 'Is garlic and herb seasoning gluten-free?' surprisingly complex. While pure, single-ingredient spices and herbs are naturally free of gluten, pre-packaged blends often harbor risk from additives, fillers, and potential cross-contamination during manufacturing. Navigating the spice aisle safely requires vigilance and knowing what to look for to protect against an adverse reaction.

Quick Summary

Understand the difference between pure spices and blended seasonings to determine if garlic and herb seasoning contains hidden gluten sources or risks cross-contamination. Learn to read labels for certifications and common gluten-containing additives to ensure your spices are safe for a gluten-free diet.

Key Points

Not all blends are safe: While pure garlic and herbs are gluten-free, commercial blends can contain hidden gluten in fillers or anti-caking agents.
Check for certification: The most reliable way to ensure a seasoning blend is gluten-free is to look for a third-party certification seal like GFCO.
Beware of cross-contamination: Many spices are processed in facilities that also handle gluten-containing products, creating a risk even for naturally gluten-free ingredients.
Read the full ingredient list: Scrutinize labels for specific ingredients like wheat, barley, and malt, as well as vague terms like 'natural flavors'.
Make your own seasoning: The safest method is to purchase single, certified gluten-free spices and blend them yourself to eliminate all risk.

The Crucial Difference: Single Spices vs. Blends

To answer the question, "Is garlic and herb seasoning gluten-free?", one must differentiate between the raw ingredients and the final product. Both garlic (in its fresh and pure powdered form) and individual herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary are naturally gluten-free. The risk arises when these ingredients are combined into a commercial seasoning blend.

Hidden Dangers in Seasoning Blends

Commercial seasoning manufacturers may add ingredients that contain gluten for various reasons, including as fillers, anti-caking agents, or flavor enhancers. Common culprits to watch for on an ingredient list include:

Wheat Starch or Wheat Flour: Used as an anti-caking agent or filler to bulk up the product.
Maltodextrin: While often corn-based, it can sometimes be derived from wheat. Unless a product is certified gluten-free, a manufacturer must be contacted to confirm the source.
Yeast Extract: Unless specifically labeled gluten-free, this ingredient, also known as autolyzed yeast extract, could contain gluten if derived from brewer's yeast.
"Natural Flavors" or "Spices": Ambiguous terms that might obscure gluten-containing components. The best practice is to avoid products with vague ingredient lists unless they carry a gluten-free certification.
Seasoned Salts: Some seasoned salt blends may contain anti-caking agents derived from wheat.

Mitigating Risk: The Threat of Cross-Contamination

Even if a seasoning blend's ingredients are all naturally gluten-free, cross-contamination is a significant concern, especially for individuals with celiac disease. Many spice companies process both gluten-containing and gluten-free products on the same equipment. This can lead to trace amounts of gluten finding their way into a product, a problem that independent studies have confirmed. For individuals with a high sensitivity to gluten, even these trace amounts can be enough to trigger an immune response and cause intestinal damage.

Your Guide to Safe Seasoning Selection

To ensure your garlic and herb seasoning is truly gluten-free, follow these key steps:

Look for Certification Seals: The safest option is to choose products with a third-party certification, such as the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) seal. These products have been tested to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten, meeting the FDA's standard.
Read the Ingredients Carefully: Scrutinize the label for any of the hidden gluten sources mentioned above. If you see wheat, barley, or rye listed in the ingredients, or an allergen warning that says, "May contain wheat," avoid the product.
Contact the Manufacturer: If you are unsure about a product's gluten-free status and it doesn't have a certification label, contact the company directly. Ask about their testing protocols and if they share equipment with gluten-containing products.
Make Your Own Blends: The most reliable method is to create your own garlic and herb seasoning from certified pure, single-ingredient spices. This gives you full control over the ingredients and eliminates the risk of cross-contamination from a manufacturer.

Comparing Certified vs. Non-Certified Seasoning Blends


Feature	Certified Gluten-Free Seasoning	Non-Certified Seasoning Blend
Labeling	Clearly marked with a certification seal (e.g., GFCO).	May or may not have a "gluten-free" claim, which is not third-party verified. May have no allergen information.
Verification	Verified by a third-party organization, guaranteeing less than 20 ppm gluten.	Verification depends on the manufacturer's own internal standards or claims.
Cross-Contamination	Manufacturing processes are specifically controlled to prevent cross-contact with gluten.	Significant risk of cross-contamination if processed on shared equipment with gluten-containing products.
Ingredients	All ingredients are vetted to be gluten-free, and sources are checked.	May contain hidden gluten in additives, anti-caking agents, or flavorings.
Safety for Celiacs	Generally considered safe for those with celiac disease or high sensitivity.	Not recommended for those with celiac disease due to potential risks.

DIY Garlic and Herb Seasoning: The Safest Choice

Creating your own blend is straightforward and ensures safety. A basic recipe can include certified gluten-free garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme. You can customize the ratios to your taste. Start with a ratio of 3 parts garlic powder to 1 part each of the other herbs, and then adjust as needed. This simple step guarantees a flavorful and completely safe seasoning for your gluten-free diet.

Conclusion

In summary, while the core ingredients of garlic and herb seasoning—garlic and various herbs—are naturally gluten-free, the commercial product is not guaranteed to be safe. Hidden gluten and cross-contamination are significant risks that can only be avoided by careful label reading and selecting products with third-party gluten-free certification. For complete control and peace of-mind, consider making your own blend from verified gluten-free single spices. This approach ensures your seasoning is both flavorful and safe for your nutritional needs. For more information on safe gluten-free living, consulting resources from organizations like Beyond Celiac is highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While pure garlic powder is naturally gluten-free, some commercial versions can contain anti-caking agents or other additives derived from wheat. Always check the ingredients list and look for a gluten-free certification to be safe.

Cross-contamination occurs when spices are processed on the same equipment as gluten-containing products, causing trace amounts of gluten to be present in the final product. For those with celiac disease, this can be a serious issue.

Look for a third-party certification seal, such as the GFCO symbol, which guarantees the product contains less than 20 ppm of gluten. Also, read the ingredient list to avoid wheat, barley, rye, or ambiguous terms.

No. While herbs themselves are gluten-free, pre-mixed herb seasonings can contain hidden gluten from fillers or be subject to cross-contamination during manufacturing. Relying solely on the absence of 'wheat' is not enough.

Many brands now offer certified gluten-free options. Brands like Weber and Mingle Seasoning have products explicitly labeled gluten-free. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check the manufacturer's website or the product packaging itself.

Maltodextrin is typically derived from corn, but it can be wheat-derived. Unless the product is certified gluten-free or specifies the source, it's best to contact the manufacturer to confirm.

To make a safe blend, purchase single-ingredient, certified gluten-free spices and herbs separately. Common choices include pure garlic powder, dried onion powder, dried basil, and dried oregano. Combine them in your desired proportions for a completely safe seasoning.