Which baked beans are gluten-free?

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

While beans are naturally gluten-free, an estimated 1 in 100 people worldwide has celiac disease, making checking processed foods crucial. Knowing which baked beans are gluten-free is essential for anyone with celiac disease, a gluten sensitivity, or who adheres to a gluten-free lifestyle to avoid hidden ingredients and cross-contamination.

Quick Summary

A comprehensive guide details popular baked beans brands and which varieties are safe for a gluten-free diet. It explains why some canned beans contain gluten, how to identify specific ingredients on labels, and provides a comparison of common brands.

Key Points

Check Brands Carefully: Not all baked beans are gluten-free, so always verify the brand and specific product variety before purchasing.
Bush's Best is All Gluten-Free: All canned products from Bush's Best are confirmed to be gluten-free, making them a safe and reliable choice.
Read the Label: Look for explicit 'gluten-free' certification or statements, and scrutinize the ingredients list for wheat, wheat starch, and malt.
Watch for Hidden Gluten: Be wary of ingredients like 'modified food starch,' 'malt extract,' or certain 'flavorings' unless the product is certified gluten-free.
Beware of Cross-Contamination: For severe sensitivities or celiac disease, certified products minimize the risk of cross-contamination from shared facilities.
Homemade is an Option: If unsure about store-bought options, making baked beans from scratch with naturally gluten-free ingredients is the safest alternative.

Baked beans are a staple in many households, enjoyed as a side dish or a quick meal on their own. However, for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, navigating the canned food aisle requires careful inspection. While the beans themselves are inherently gluten-free, the thick, savory sauce that defines baked beans often contains hidden gluten sources.

Why Some Baked Beans Contain Gluten

The primary reason some baked beans are not gluten-free lies in the ingredients used to create their signature sauce. Manufacturers sometimes use thickening agents or flavorings that contain gluten. Common culprits include:

Modified food starch: This ingredient can sometimes be derived from wheat. Unless the label specifies the source (e.g., 'modified corn starch'), it's best to be cautious or assume it contains gluten if not marked gluten-free.
Wheat starch: This is a clear indicator that the product contains wheat and is not gluten-free.
Malt vinegar or extract: These are derived from barley and are not gluten-free.
Seasonings and flavorings: Some flavorings, especially smoke flavors or artificial flavors, may contain gluten unless certified otherwise.

Cross-contamination is another serious concern. If products are processed in a facility that also handles wheat, there is a risk of gluten exposure, even if wheat-based ingredients aren't explicitly added. This is why looking for products with a 'Certified Gluten-Free' label is the safest option for those with celiac disease.

Top Gluten-Free Baked Bean Brands

Thankfully, many brands recognize the need for safe options and offer a variety of gluten-free baked beans. Here is a breakdown of brands commonly considered safe and what to look for on their labels.

Bush's Best Baked Beans

Bush's is a widely accessible brand and a reliable choice for a gluten-free diet. According to their official website, all Bush's canned bean products are gluten-free. This applies to a wide variety of flavors, including:

Original Baked Beans
Vegetarian Baked Beans
Brown Sugar Hickory
Country Style

Amy's Kitchen Baked Beans

Amy's Kitchen is known for its organic and dietary-friendly products. All of their baked bean varieties, including their vegetarian and vegan options, are gluten-free. Their products are a great choice for those seeking organic ingredients and strong allergen control.

B&M Baked Beans

B&M offers several baked bean flavors, and all seven varieties are considered gluten-free to the legal standard of less than 20 parts per million. This includes their Original, Boston's Best, and Vegetarian flavors, among others.

Heinz Baked Beans

Heinz, a global leader in canned goods, also offers numerous gluten-free varieties. In the UK, many Heinz baked beans, including the classic 'Beanz in Tomato Sauce' and 'No Added Sugar' versions, are labeled as gluten-free. However, as formulations can differ by country, it is always important to double-check the label on the product you are purchasing. For example, some Canadian Heinz Maple Style Beans are labeled gluten-free as well.

Gluten-Free Baked Beans Brand Comparison


Brand	Gluten-Free Status	Vegan/Vegetarian Options	Common Gluten-Containing Flavorings to Avoid (if applicable)
Bush's Best	All canned products are gluten-free.	Yes (e.g., Vegetarian Baked Beans)	N/A - Brand is certified gluten-free.
Heinz	Many varieties are gluten-free, especially in the UK. Check individual labels carefully.	Yes (e.g., UK classic 'Beanz').	Varies by country; always check for wheat-based thickeners, malt.
Amy's Kitchen	All baked bean varieties are gluten-free and often certified.	Yes (most varieties are vegan).	N/A - Brand follows strict gluten-free protocols.
B&M	All varieties are gluten-free to legal standards.	Yes (e.g., Vegetarian).	N/A - All varieties are gluten-free.

Reading Labels for Celiac Safety

For those with celiac disease, strict label reading is non-negotiable. Look for a product that is explicitly labeled 'gluten-free.' A manufacturer can only make this claim if the product meets legal standards, typically less than 20 parts per million of gluten. Beyond Celiac is an excellent resource for more information on safely navigating a gluten-free diet.

If a product is not explicitly labeled, you must scrutinize the ingredient list. Look for any mention of wheat, barley, rye, or their derivatives. Be especially mindful of ingredients like 'natural flavors' or 'modified food starch' if the product lacks a clear gluten-free claim, as their source can be ambiguous.

Conclusion: Making a Safe Choice

The good news for gluten-free consumers is that a growing number of reliable, safe baked bean brands are available. Choosing a brand like Bush's Best or Amy's Kitchen, which offer exclusively gluten-free canned bean products, provides peace of mind. For other brands like Heinz, always exercise caution and verify the gluten-free status of the specific variety and regional formulation by checking the label. For those with severe sensitivities or celiac disease, prioritizing 'Certified Gluten-Free' labels or making your own baked beans from scratch are the surest routes to a safe meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, beans themselves are naturally gluten-free. The issue arises when other ingredients containing gluten, such as wheat starch or certain flavorings, are added during processing to create the sauce.

Many Heinz baked bean varieties, especially the classic 'Beanz in Tomato Sauce' sold in the UK, are gluten-free and labeled as such. However, formulations vary by country, so you must always check the label of the specific product and flavor you intend to buy.

When checking labels for gluten, look for wheat, wheat starch, barley, malt, malt vinegar, and certain ambiguous flavorings. If a product is not explicitly labeled 'gluten-free,' assume that any modified food starch or natural flavorings could be derived from gluten sources.

Yes, many brands offer vegetarian and gluten-free baked bean options. Amy's Kitchen and Bush's Best both offer specific vegetarian varieties that are guaranteed gluten-free.

A 'Certified Gluten-Free' label typically indicates the product has been tested by a third party and meets a strict standard of less than 10 or 20 parts per million of gluten, offering higher confidence against cross-contamination. A 'gluten-free' label is self-regulated by the manufacturer but must legally contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.

Yes, there is a risk of cross-contamination if baked beans are produced in a facility that also processes gluten-containing products. For individuals with celiac disease or high sensitivity, selecting a certified gluten-free product or making homemade beans is the safest approach.

Absolutely. You can make delicious baked beans at home using naturally gluten-free ingredients. Start with dried navy or canned white beans and create your sauce with gluten-free ketchup, molasses, mustard, and spices.