If you or someone you love is following a gluten-free diet, consider including a gluten-free gravy option at your holiday meal. There are several brands of gravy mixes that are gluten-free and safe, and I tested three popular brands for hidden gluten. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.
You may wonder where you can find safe, gluten-free gravy mixes to pour over your Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, and gluten-free stuffing.
Look no further because, in this article, I share several popular gluten-free gravy mixes found at most grocery stores across the U.S. and online.
These gravy mixes are made without gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and sometimes oats. Gluten causes intestinal damage and inflammation in people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
I also tested three of the most popular brands of gluten-free gravy mixes for hidden gluten using my Nima Sensor. This portable gluten-detecting device enables you to test a small pea-sized portion of your food for hidden gluten. You can learn more about the device, and its pros, cons, and limitations, in this article.
As always, read labels carefully. Some of the following brands offer gluten-free options and varieties containing gluten. Remember, labels and ingredients can change at any time. The latest ingredients and allergen disclosures will always be on the label itself.
As someone who loves good gravy but also avoids gluten, I was thrilled to hear Heinz turkey gravy is marketed as gluten-free Their gravy tastes delicious, so I wanted to believe it could safely fit into my diet. But questions started nagging me. Is it really 100% gluten-free or just low gluten? Can I fully trust it for my sensitive system? I decided to take a deep dive on Heinz turkey gravy to uncover the real truth on its gluten-free status
I examined Heinz’s statements, ingredient lists, manufacturing processes, independent lab testing, and customer experiences to get to the bottom of this important question for the gluten free community. Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of what I found
Heinz’s Gluten-Free Claims
Heinz states that their turkey gravy contains no gluten ingredients This gives the impression it is safe for a gluten-free diet But I noticed a lack of an official “gluten-free certification” by organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP). This raised my first red flag.
When I contacted Heinz, they confirmed the gravy is not certified gluten-free. They test the finished product to contain less than 10 ppm gluten. But numerous celiacs react to amounts under this threshold. I wanted more proof before feeling comfortable with this.
Questionable Ingredients
Next, I analyzed the turkey gravy’s ingredients carefully. The main ones include turkey broth, cornstarch, onions, and chicken fat. Two ingredients stood out to me:
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Modified cornstarch: This can be made from wheat in certain cases, making it unsafe.
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Natural flavors: The source is unclear and may derive from gluten-containing grains.
Both of these ingredients have the potential to introduce gluten. I wished for more transparency from Heinz on the exact sourcing of these questionable ingredients.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Even if all ingredients are gluten-free, I worried about the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing. Heinz states that their facilities also process wheat-containing foods. To prevent cross-contamination, they implement careful cleaning protocols and keep gluten-free lines separate.
But various consumer reports I read mentioned that Heinz gravies are produced on shared equipment. This creates uncertainty around how foolproof their methods are for preventing any cross-contact.
Customer Experiences
To get the full picture, I looked at reviews from actual gravy consumers with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Many reported enjoying Heinz turkey gravy with no adverse reactions. But several experienced symptoms like bloating, headaches, and fatigue after consuming it.
Clearly Heinz’s precautions are not stringent enough for some high sensitivity individuals. This matches my worry about potential microscopic cross-contamination.
Independent Lab Results
The deciding factor came when I found a company that independently lab tested Heinz turkey gravy. Their highly sensitive equipment detected over 10 ppm of gluten. This confirmed gluten exposure is definitely possible even though Heinz’s own testing shows under 10 ppm.
For me, those independent test results outweighed Heinz’s safety claims. Even tiny amounts can trigger my symptoms.
The Verdict
So is Heinz turkey gravy 100% gluten-free? Unfortunately, after my extensive research, the answer is no. Uncertified questionable ingredients, potential cross-contact issues, and independent testing results prove the gravy cannot be considered risk-free for all levels of gluten sensitivity.
I can’t say everyone with celiac disease or intolerance will react. But for me personally, the lack of an official gluten-free certification paired with the real possibility of detectable gluten means I will need to avoid Heinz turkey gravy to stay safe.
For me, I will stick to only products carrying certifications like GFCP that enforce more stringent standards to provide full confidence in avoiding any exposure. If you have a similar zero tolerance policy, make sure to double check labels and contact manufacturers when sources are unclear. We must remain vigilant to stay strictly gluten-free in a world filled with this problematic protein.
I welcome any further insight from others who may know more about Heinz turkey gravy’s manufacturing or have experienced symptoms after eating it. Together we can support and steer each other toward the safest options while still enjoying delicious gravy flavors! Don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing you good health and happy gluten-free feasting.
( McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix
McCormick Turkey Gravy is labeled “gluten-free” on the front of the packaging. Its ingredients include cornstarch, buttermilk powder, corn maltodextrin, salt, hydrolyzed corn, and soy protein, onion, modified palm oil, yeast extract, caramel color, potassium chloride, potato starch, corn syrup solids, spices and herbs (including thyme, sage, celery seed, black pepper), turkey powder, guar gum, sodium caseinate, and natural flavor.
If you’ve been on a gluten-free diet long enough, you know there are a few red-flag ingredients, most notably yeast extract, which is made from spent brewer’s yeast and most-likely contains barley.
However, because the gravy is labeled gluten-free, the product contains less than 20 ppm of gluten, per the FDA’s guidelines for gluten-free labeling. McCormick says any product with a “gluten-free” claim on the label means it has been validated to be gluten-free.
Furthermore, McCormick offers the following allergen statement on its website, stating that it never hides allergens under the notations of “spices” or “natural flavors.”
I also tested McCormick Turkey Gravy with my Nima Sensor, and Nima did not find any gluten. A smiley face means no gluten found. You can purchase McCormick Turkey Gravy on Amazon.
( Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix
Pioneer brand makes two gluten-free gravy mixes: Brown gravy and country gravy. I found the gluten-free brown gravy at my local grocery store and purchased it.
As you can see, it’s certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group, adding an extra level of reassurance that this gravy mix is indeed safe.
The ingredients in Pioneer gluten-free brown gravy include food starch-modified, salt, dextrose, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (corn, soy), maltodextrin, palm oil, autolyzed yeast extract, onion, caramel color, contains less than 2%: corn syrup solids, garlic, natural flavor, whey, powdered chicken, sodium caseinate, citric acid, dried beef stock, thiamin hydrochloride, and monoglycerides. As you can see, it contains milk and soy, and the company says it may contain eggs.
My Nima Sensor didn’t find any gluten inside the Pioneer gluten-free brown gravy mix – whew! You can buy it on Amazon.
Is Heinz Home Style Roasted Turkey Gravy A Good Substitute for Homemade Gravy? An Honest Review
FAQ
What are the allergens in Heinz turkey gravy?
Does all gravy have gluten?
Why is gravy not gluten free?
Is Butterball turkey gravy packet gluten free?
Is Heinz Turkey Gravy gluten-free?
Avoid Heinz Homestyle Turkey Gravy, which comes in a jar and is extremely popular during Thanksgiving. It contains wheat flour and is NOT gluten-free. If you’re worried about hidden gluten or need to avoid other ingredients found in most gluten-free gravy mixes, consider making gravy from scratch.
Is Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar gluten free?
Sim. No apple cider vinegar contains gluten, as this is a naturally gluten-free food and its processing does not run the risk of cross-contamination with this protein.
Is McCormick Turkey Gravy gluten free?
A smiley face means no gluten found. You can purchase McCormick Turkey Gravy on Amazon. Pioneer brand makes two gluten-free gravy mixes: Brown gravy and country gravy. I found the gluten-free brown gravy at my local grocery store and purchased it.
Where can I find a vegan gluten-free gravy?
If you’re looking for a vegan gluten-free gravy, the SO Vegetarian gravy is labeled vegan! You can use Simply Organic’s product locator to find these GF Gravies in a store near you, or simply look for them in your local Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Kroger, Publix, The Fresh Market, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Hy-Vee, and more!