What Seasoning Brands Are Gluten-Free?

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 65% of commercial spice blends contain undeclared gluten, often through additives or cross-contamination during processing. Navigating the spice aisle requires careful attention, and knowing what seasoning brands are gluten-free is essential for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of trustworthy brands and practices for safe and flavorful cooking.

Quick Summary

Pure, single-ingredient spices are naturally gluten-free, but blended seasonings can contain hidden gluten from additives or cross-contamination. Selecting brands with third-party certification is the safest option. Always check labels and take precautions against cross-contamination to ensure safety for sensitive individuals.

Key Points

Check for certification: Look for third-party certifications like GFCO or NSF, which offer the highest level of safety assurance.
Distinguish between pure and blended spices: Pure spices are naturally gluten-free, while seasoning blends often contain hidden gluten.
Exercise caution with major brands: Brands like McCormick have a mix of products; only buy those specifically marked with a gluten-free label.
Beware of cross-contamination: Many manufacturers use shared equipment, making third-party certification essential for those with severe sensitivities.
Consider making your own blends: For maximum control, mix single-ingredient, certified gluten-free spices at home instead of buying pre-made blends.
Always read the label: Even with trustworthy brands, double-checking the ingredient list and allergen warnings is the best practice.

The Difference: Pure Spices vs. Blends

Before exploring specific brands, it's crucial to understand the fundamental difference between pure spices and seasoning blends. This distinction is the most important factor for safe gluten-free cooking.

Pure, Single-Ingredient Spices

Spices like cinnamon, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder are naturally gluten-free. They are derived directly from plants and should not contain gluten unless there is cross-contamination during processing. Many spice brands, including widely available ones like McCormick, state that their single-ingredient products are pure and therefore gluten-free. However, relying solely on this is not enough for those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity due to the risk of shared equipment.

Seasoning Blends and Mixes

This is where the risk increases significantly. Pre-packaged seasoning mixes—such as taco seasoning, chili mix, or gravy mixes—often contain additives and anti-caking agents that can be wheat-based. Modified food starch and maltodextrin can be derived from wheat, though it must be listed on the label if sourced from wheat. Inexpensive fillers, flavor enhancers, or simply cross-contact in a shared facility can introduce gluten into a blend. This is why you should never assume a blend is safe, even if the primary ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Reputable Certified Gluten-Free Brands

For those needing absolute certainty, brands that carry third-party certifications are the best choice. These certifications, like GFCO (Gluten-Free Certification Organization), require rigorous testing and dedicated production practices to ensure products contain less than the legally defined threshold for gluten (typically 10-20 ppm).

Spicely Organics

This brand is a top-tier choice for safety and quality. Spicely Organics produces all its spices and seasonings in a dedicated, certified gluten-free facility. Their entire line is certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group, meaning you can trust any of their products. They offer a wide range of organic herbs, spices, and blends, from single ingredients to complex mixtures like Italian Seasoning and Chili Powder.

Morton & Bassett Spices

Morton & Bassett is another excellent option for those seeking certified gluten-free products. The company states that all of its spices are certified gluten-free by the NSF. This simplifies grocery shopping, as you don’t need to check each bottle; any Morton & Bassett spice is safe. They focus on all-natural, high-quality products without fillers or additives.

Badia Spices

Badia offers many products that are explicitly labeled gluten-free, with the company confirming this commitment on its website. They are known for being more budget-friendly than some other certified brands and offer a vast selection of single spices and blends. However, vigilance is still required: always check the label to ensure the specific product you’re buying has the gluten-free claim, as not all their products may be made on dedicated equipment.

McCormick

One of the most common brands in stores, McCormick requires careful navigation. While all of their single-ingredient spices are considered gluten-free, their blends are not always safe. The company clearly labels any products that contain gluten and offers specific gluten-free versions of popular blends, like their Taco Seasoning. You must look for the distinct green “Gluten-Free” banner on their packages to be sure.

How to Check for Hidden Gluten

Even when buying from reputable brands, it's wise to practice smart shopping habits, especially if a product isn't certified.

Here’s how to check labels and reduce risk:

Look for official certifications. A GFCO, NSF, or other recognized gluten-free symbol on the packaging is the most reliable indicator of safety.
Read the ingredient list. Look for red-flag ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, malt, brewer's yeast, or wheat starch. Remember that modified food starch or maltodextrin must specify if they are wheat-based.
Beware of shared equipment warnings. Some packages include a voluntary statement like "processed in a facility that also processes wheat." For individuals with celiac disease, this poses a significant risk of cross-contamination and should be avoided.
Prioritize single-ingredient spices. If you need to make a blend, use pure spices from a trusted source rather than a pre-mixed packet. This is the safest way to control ingredients.
Consider making your own blends. Creating your own mixes from certified-safe single spices ensures complete control over what goes into your food.

Gluten-Free Seasoning Brand Comparison Table


Brand	Status for Celiac/Sensitive Individuals	Notes	Price Point
Spicely Organics	Very Safe (Certified GF)	Produced in a dedicated GF facility; organic.	High
Morton & Bassett	Very Safe (Certified GF)	All products certified GF; all-natural ingredients.	Medium-High
Badia Spices	Requires Checking (Many labeled GF)	Very affordable; many products marked GF, but check each label.	Low-Medium
McCormick	Requires Checking (Specific GF line)	Some blends contain gluten; must look for the specific GF banner on packaging.	Low-Medium
Simply Organic	Requires Checking (Some labeled GF)	Some products are certified GF, check the label; produced by Frontier Co-Op.	Medium

Conclusion: Cook Safely and Flavorfully

Finding what seasoning brands are gluten-free is an important step for safe cooking, but it's not as simple as assuming all spices are safe. While pure, single-ingredient spices from reputable brands are generally low-risk, the potential for cross-contamination and hidden gluten in seasoning blends is high. By prioritizing brands with independent, third-party gluten-free certification like Spicely Organics and Morton & Bassett, you can remove all doubt from your spice rack. For other brands, especially major ones like McCormick, vigilance is key—always check for the official gluten-free label or opt for single-ingredient spices. With a bit of practice and attention to detail, you can enjoy a full range of flavors with complete peace of mind. For more detailed information on living with a gluten intolerance, visit the Celiac Disease Foundation website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some seasonings and spice blends contain gluten because manufacturers add ingredients like modified food starch, maltodextrin (if derived from wheat), or other wheat-based fillers to act as anti-caking agents, thickeners, or flavor enhancers.

Pure garlic powder is naturally gluten-free. However, some commercial garlic powders can contain gluten if processed on shared equipment with wheat products, or if gluten-containing additives are used. It is safest to choose a certified gluten-free brand if you have celiac disease.

Yes, cross-contamination is a significant concern. Many spice manufacturers process both gluten-containing and gluten-free products in the same facilities, risking trace amounts of gluten transferring to supposedly pure products. This is why certification is so important for those with severe sensitivities.

The term 'gluten-free' on a label means the product contains less than 20 ppm of gluten, as defined by the FDA. 'Certified gluten-free' means the product has been tested and verified by a third-party organization (like GFCO or NSF) that has even stricter standards and audits manufacturing facilities for cross-contamination.

No, not all McCormick spices are gluten-free. While their single-ingredient spices are considered safe, many of their blended seasoning mixes contain gluten. They clearly label specific gluten-free versions of their popular blends with a green banner.

Bulk spices from a grocery store are considered high-risk for gluten cross-contamination. Many people use the same scoop for various items, potentially transferring gluten. It is best for anyone with celiac disease to avoid bulk spice bins completely.

Yes, making your own blends at home is one of the safest methods. By purchasing certified gluten-free single-ingredient spices, you have complete control over what goes into your mix and eliminate the risk of hidden gluten.