What's the Best Gluten-Free Soy Sauce? Top Brands and Alternatives for Your Diet

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that most traditional soy sauce is not gluten-free because it contains wheat as a key ingredient? Finding a truly gluten-free option is essential for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Navigating the world of safe alternatives can be tricky, which is why we answer the question: what's the best gluten-free soy sauce?

Quick Summary

This guide explores the top gluten-free soy sauce options and substitutes, comparing their flavors and uses to help you find the ideal choice for safe and delicious meal preparation.

Key Points

Tamari is a top choice: It offers a rich, deep umami flavor and is naturally gluten-free when brewed without wheat, making it the closest substitute for traditional soy sauce.
Always check certifications: While tamari is often gluten-free, it is crucial to purchase certified gluten-free brands to avoid cross-contamination.
Coconut aminos are low-sodium and soy-free: This alternative is made from coconut blossom sap and is ideal for those with both gluten and soy sensitivities, offering a milder, sweeter taste.
Liquid aminos are soy-based but gluten-free: A good vegan option made from soybeans, but with a different, slightly sweeter flavor profile compared to fermented products.
Other alternatives exist: Fish sauce and certain gluten-free Worcestershire sauce brands can also provide a savory kick, though their flavor profiles differ from soy sauce.
Consider flavor and usage: Choose tamari for rich dipping sauces and marinades, and coconut aminos for dressings or lighter dishes, based on your taste preference and culinary needs.

The Gluten Challenge: Why Regular Soy Sauce Isn't Safe

Traditional soy sauce is made by fermenting soybeans and wheat, which means it contains gluten. For people with celiac disease, a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or a wheat allergy, consuming regular soy sauce can trigger adverse health reactions. However, the good news is that a variety of excellent gluten-free alternatives exist, offering the same rich, savory umami flavor without the risk.

The Premier Alternative: Tamari

For many, tamari is the gold standard when it comes to gluten-free soy sauce alternatives. Tamari is a Japanese-style soy sauce that is traditionally made with little or no wheat. Authentic, high-quality tamari is often a byproduct of miso fermentation and uses only soybeans, water, and salt, though some commercial varieties may add rice or other gluten-free ingredients. This wheat-free composition makes it a natural and flavorful replacement.

What sets tamari apart is its flavor profile. It is often described as having a richer, more complex, and less salty taste than regular soy sauce, with a darker color and thicker consistency. This makes it an excellent choice for dipping sauces, marinades, and dishes where a deep umami flavor is desired. When purchasing, always look for products specifically labeled as "certified gluten-free" to ensure there is no cross-contamination from shared production facilities.

Top Tamari Brands:

Kikkoman Gluten-Free Tamari: A widely available and respected brand. Many users praise its classic, rich, and savory flavor, which closely mimics traditional soy sauce. Kikkoman's gluten-free tamari is naturally brewed with water, soybeans, and rice instead of wheat.
San-J Tamari: Another highly-rated and popular choice. San-J offers several options, including organic and reduced-sodium versions, and is often certified by GFCO. Customers appreciate its smooth, rich finish and clean ingredients.
Ohsawa Organic Tamari: Known for its traditional brewing methods, including aging in cedar kegs for extra flavor, providing a premium, rich taste for those seeking a more artisanal option.

Other Excellent Gluten-Free Substitutes

Beyond tamari, several other options are available for those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or even those looking for a soy-free alternative. Each offers a unique flavor profile and nutritional benefits.

Coconut Aminos: Made from the fermented sap of the coconut blossom and sea salt, this is an ideal choice for anyone avoiding both soy and gluten. It has a milder, slightly sweeter flavor than soy sauce and is significantly lower in sodium. Coconut aminos are great for low-sodium diets, salad dressings, or lighter marinades.
Liquid Aminos (Soy-Based): Made from non-GMO soybeans and purified water, liquid aminos are gluten-free but not soy-free. They offer a milder, slightly sweeter flavor than soy sauce and are not fermented. While a good vegan and gluten-free option, some users might find it slightly different from the complex taste of fermented soy products.
Fish Sauce: This fermented condiment made from fish and salt can provide a strong, savory umami flavor. It's naturally gluten-free but is much more concentrated and potent than soy sauce, so it should be used sparingly. It's not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce: Some brands, like Lea & Perrins in the UK, offer a gluten-free version of this tangy and complex fermented sauce. While its flavor is distinct from soy sauce, it can add a rich, savory depth to marinades and cooked dishes. Always check the label, as many traditional recipes contain gluten.

Comparison of Top Gluten-Free Options


Feature	Tamari	Coconut Aminos	Liquid Aminos
Flavor Profile	Richer, deeper umami, and less salty than traditional soy sauce.	Mild, slightly sweet, and less salty with a hint of coconut.	Milder and sweeter than soy sauce, but still savory.
Sodium Content	Generally lower than traditional soy sauce, with reduced-sodium options available.	Significantly lower in sodium than both tamari and soy sauce.	Can be high in sodium, check the label.
Soy-Free	No; made from soybeans.	Yes; made from coconut blossom sap.	No; made from soybeans.
Best For	Dipping sushi, marinades, stir-fries, sauces where a robust flavor is needed.	Salad dressings, stir-fries, or for those on low-sodium, Paleo, or Whole30 diets.	General cooking, vegan dishes, or as a condiment for a sweeter taste.

How to Choose the Right Gluten-Free Soy Sauce

When selecting your ideal gluten-free soy sauce, consider the following:

Taste Preference: Do you prefer a flavor closer to traditional soy sauce (Tamari) or something milder and sweeter (Coconut Aminos)?
Sodium Content: If you are watching your sodium intake, Coconut Aminos are the clear winner, but many tamari brands also offer reduced-sodium versions.
Soy Allergies: For those with a soy allergy in addition to a gluten sensitivity, Coconut Aminos are the safest and most effective choice.
Usage: For rich, savory dishes like marinades and dipping sauces, tamari excels. For lighter fare, dressings, or as a general seasoning, coconut or liquid aminos might be preferable.

Conclusion

Ultimately, what's the best gluten-free soy sauce depends on your individual dietary needs and flavor preferences. Tamari is the best choice for those seeking a flavor profile closest to traditional soy sauce, offering a richer, more nuanced experience. For those needing a lower sodium and soy-free alternative, coconut aminos are an excellent option. For cooking enthusiasts with multiple dietary restrictions, exploring certified gluten-free versions of other savory sauces like Worcestershire or even experimenting with fish sauce can expand your culinary possibilities. The key is to always read labels and choose certified products to ensure safety. With so many great options available, you can enjoy all your favorite umami-rich dishes without compromise.

For more in-depth comparisons and reviews, especially on authentic Japanese products, consider visiting specialty sites like Japanese Taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the ingredient base. Regular soy sauce is traditionally brewed using a significant amount of wheat along with soybeans, making it contain gluten. Tamari, on the other hand, is a Japanese-style soy sauce that is made with little to no wheat, and is therefore naturally gluten-free.

Not necessarily. While most tamari is naturally gluten-free due to its brewing process, some varieties may contain a small amount of wheat, or be processed in facilities that handle wheat. Always check for a 'Certified Gluten-Free' label on the bottle to be certain.

Coconut aminos has a milder, sweeter, and significantly less salty flavor than both regular soy sauce and tamari. It does not taste like coconut and is a great option for those on low-sodium, soy-free, or gluten-free diets.

No, traditional Kikkoman soy sauce is not gluten-free as it is brewed with wheat. However, Kikkoman does produce a separate, certified gluten-free tamari soy sauce made with water, soybeans, rice, and salt, which is safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Tamari is often considered the best gluten-free alternative for marinating due to its rich, deep, and complex flavor that can hold up well in a marinade. Brands like Kikkoman and San-J offer high-quality tamari suitable for this purpose.

Yes, coconut aminos is a popular and excellent substitute for both soy and gluten. Additionally, some brands of fish sauce or gluten-free Worcestershire sauce can serve as alternatives, but always check labels for ingredients.

Yes, liquid aminos (typically soy-based) are a valid gluten-free substitute. They have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor profile and are made from unfermented soybeans. They can be used as a 1:1 replacement in many recipes, though you may need to adjust salt levels.