Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • BBQ
  • Grills
  • Desserts
    • Drinks
  • Tips & Tricks
    • How To
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Spicy Salty Sweet

Your Guide About Cooking & Recipies

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • BBQ
  • Grills
  • Desserts
    • Drinks
  • Tips & Tricks
    • How To
Is Lunch Meat Gluten Free

Is Lunch Meat Gluten Free? [Top 18 Gluten-Free Lunch Meat Options] 

September 5, 2023 //  by Leah Greenstein//  Leave a Comment

Yes, lunch meat is naturally gluten-free. 

But if you ask, are all lunch meats gluten-free? No, all lunch meats are not gluten-free. 

The statement that “all lunch meats are gluten-free” is a myth. While naturally, lunch meat is gluten-free, processed deli meats can come into contact with gluten substances. This in turn makes them a potential source of gluten.

For more detailed information, you can dive further into the topic of whether lunch meat is gluten-free or not down below. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Top 18 Gluten-free lunch meat brands
  • Checking tips for if lunch meat is gluten-free
  • Alerts for gluten-sensitive people

18 Gluten-Free Deli Lunch Meat Brands

Here are some top gluten-free deli meat brands that you can try if you are gluten sensitive. The process transparency for the brands is additionally included, along with the purchasing source, to double-check and buy.

Gluten-Free Deli Meat BrandsProcess TransparencyPopular GlutenFree Deli Meat Products
ApplegateGluten-free and follows strict cleaning protocols for allergens before production.Find on Amazon 
Armour MeatsPopular for gluten-free meat, but doesn’t clarify adding gluten to meat.Find on Amazon 
Bar-SProduces products in dedicated gluten-free facilitiesFind on Amazon 
Boar’s HeadCertified gluten-free, but they have no available transparent manufacturing process. Find on Amazon 
BuddigCertified gluten-free, but there is no available process Find on Amazon 
Dietz & WatsonProduced in a dedicated gluten-free facilityFind on Amazon 
Jennie-OHACCP plan is ensured to prevent cross-contactFind On Amazon 
Kunzler85% of their products are stated to be gluten-freeFind on Kunzler.com 

Trader Joe’s
Their product contains less than 20 ppm of glutenFind on Traderjoes.com 
Wellshire FarmsOffer allergy-free and gluten-free foodsFind on Amazon 
ButterballOnly the turkey ham is labeled to be gluten-freeFind on Amazon 
Gallo SalameAll five of their previously-packaged salamis are gluten-freeFind on Amazon 
Land O’FrostAs per their website, all the meats they have are gluten-free.Find on Amazon 
ColumbusAll of their salami and deli meats are gluten-free as well as dairy-freeFind on Amazon 
DiestelTheir lunch meats are gluten-free and they contain no artificial ingredients, no phosphates or nitrites or MSG.Find on Amazon 
Hormel Natural ChoicePre-sliced deli sandwich meats and Deli lunch meats by Hormel Natural Choice is not only gluten-free but also dairy-free. Find on Amazon 
Jones Dairy FarmAll of their products except Scrapple are gluten-freeFind on Amazon 
Niman RanchAll Niman Ranch meats are claimed to be gluten-free.Find on Amazon 

Gluten-Free Deli Meat Types

Gluten-free deli meats are a great option for people who have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. It lets them enjoy their favorite lunch meat without worrying about gluten contamination. 

Turkey, bacon, salami, ham, etc. are gluten-free lunch meat types that go well with delicious oven-baked BBQ turkey recipes. 

Source: Livestrong

But if additional components are added to the bacon or ham, gluten may be included in the result. For further clarification, you can double-check if your hamburger meat alone is gluten-free. 

Check: Is Your Lunch Meat Gluten Free? 

Since you are going to check if your lunch meat is gluten-free, you can look at the labels first. 

Deli meats usually don’t contain any gluten ingredients, but a few of them do. Deli workers often use the same slicing machines to cut various materials, resulting in cross-contamination.

Pre-packed deli meats are the best choice in this case. Also, there are a few things concerning the identification of pre-packed gluten-free lunch meat. 

While purchasing your deli meat, you can follow three simple tips for identifying the gluten-free product.

Tip 1: Scan for any Third-Party Certification

Scan through the packaging to see if it carries any third-party certification, like GIG’s GFCO. If it contains GIG’s Gluten-Free Certification Organization mark, CSA mark, or NCA mark (National Celiac Association), it’s safely gluten-free.

Tip 2: Scan for the Word “Gluten-Free” in the Packaging

Scan through the label and look for words like “gluten-free”, “free of gluten”, and “without gluten” regulated by the FDA. 

Tip 3: Inspect the Ingredient List for Gluten-Free Ingredients 

Look into the ingredients section and see if the list contains wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Malt, or Brewer’s yeast. If it does, the product is not gluten-free. 

BONUS: Save Some Time Reading Labels

Scanning through the entire food label is troublesome. You can always look for the new or old GFCO mark on the product label while buying the meat.

Source: Gluten Intolerance Group

Common Alerts for The Gluten Sensitives!

When you are gluten sensitive, there are certain things you need to be aware of. You need to thoroughly check if your deli meat is gluten-free or not. Also, you need to know if those unprocessed red meats are gluten-free or not. 

But apart from that, there are some common things in between that you should be alert about. Let’s preview some of the common alerts.

Plain or Fresh-cut Deli meat

Avoid deli cuts by slicers. The deli slicers cut a variety of meat and cheese and aren’t completely cut in between uses. As a result, to avoid gluten cross-contact stick to pre-sliced deli meats. 

Source: Gluten-Free Grubbin

Additive Deli Meats

Refrain from slices of deli meat glued together. Deli meat isn’t always cooked and sliced at once. Gluten-free lunch meat may contain pieces that have been glued together with food-safe glue, maltodextrin, or modified food starch. 

Gluten-containing goods, broths, flavorings, or modified food starches may be present in these items.

Breaded or Floured Deli Meat

Do not consume breaded or floured deli meats. Breaded or floured deli meats mostly contain wheat, which is a great source of gluten. So, if you follow a gluten-free diet, you should avoid eating breaded or floured deli meats. 

Marinated or Saucy Deli Meat

Keep an eye out for meats that have been marinated or drenched in sauces or broths. Because soy and teriyaki sauces usually contain gluten. Meats marinated with such sauces are typically unsuitable for persons with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Poultry Deli Meat Products Without Labels

Avoid farm deli meat products that do not have the source of dextrin or starch listed on the label. It is critical to carefully read labels, especially on any form of processed beef product. 

Gluten may be included in certain processed beef products as a result of additional components like dextrin or starch. It’s advised to avoid ingesting a product if the dextrin or starch source is not specified on the label.

Cross-Contact 

Meat and cheese platters might result in allergy cross-contact, as even a modest sensitivity to gluten can cause reactions. 

Sandwiches can potentially be cross-contaminated. Reaching into deli meat containers with hands that touched gluten products may result in gluten contact. 

Gluten-Free Vegetarian Lunch Meat Alternatives    

It might be difficult to obtain enough protein if you are on a gluten-free diet and are a vegetarian. Meanwhile, if you’re sick of eating gluten-free veggie burgers and want a sandwich, try Quorn Meatless Vegetarian Turkey Roast. You can also go for Meatless Chicken Fillets. 

These gluten-free chicken or turkey alternatives are created from mycoprotein and egg whites. Thus, these types of lunch meat options help your vegetarian and gluten-free diet while providing protein enrichment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can celiacs eat lunch meat?

Yes, celiacs can eat lunch meat if it is labeled gluten-free. People who are celiacs or gluten sensitive can buy prepacked deli meat items. This is because unpacked cuts are cut consistently with cheeses and other gluten items, which may result in contamination.

What are some non-gluten-free deli meat brands?

Hillshire Farm, Russer, Sara Lee Deli, Weaver, Wilson, Wunderbar, etc. are Tyson Foods subsidiaries and examples of some non-gluten-free deli meat brands. They may contain gluten since these brands don’t label their products gluten-free. 

What are some gluten-free bread options for deli sandwiches?

Some gluten-free bread options are- Trader Joe’s gluten-free bread, Three Bakers, and Canyon Bakehouse. Also for further reference, Franz Gluten Free, Glutino Gluten Free Breads, etc. are great options. These go along with your deli meat and are widely available.

End Notes

To conclude, you can have tasty and safe sandwiches and lunches while following your gluten-free lifestyle. Even though not all deli meats are gluten-free, the top 18 gluten-free lunch meat brands are mentioned for convenience. 

Choosing basic, unprocessed meats and cooking gluten-free choices at home can bring you added peace of mind. 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Leah Greenstein
Leah Greenstein
Leah Greenstein is a passionate food blogger who has dedicated her life to sharing her love for cooking with the world. Growing up in a family of foodies, Leah was introduced to the joys of cooking at a very young age. Her mother, a professional chef, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of using high-quality ingredients.
Leah Greenstein
Latest posts by Leah Greenstein (see all)
  • How Long Does Vegan Butter Last? Mystery Solved - January 9, 2024
  • How Long Does Vegan Mayo Last - January 2, 2024
  • From Pot to Plate: How Long Does Vegan Chili Last in The Fridge? - December 26, 2023

Category: Tips & Tricks

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

How Long Does Vegan Mayo Last

Is Non-Homogenized Milk the Same as Raw Milk?: What Do You Think?

Decoding Labels: Is Red Meat Gluten-Free?

Is Beyond Meat Gluten Free? Everything You Need to Know

The Top Gluten-Free Lunch Meat Brands of 2023!

Is Crab Meat Gluten Free? A Deep Dive

Is Imitation Crab Meat Gluten-Free

Is Imitation Crab Meat Gluten-Free? Facts You Didn’t Know

Is Impossible Meat Gluten Free

Is Impossible Meat Gluten Free? A Deep Dive!

How to Fix Caramel that is Too Soft

How to Thicken Ranch Dressing + 3 Bonus Methods!

Creosote in Smoker

Creosote in Smoker + Helpful Cleaning and Prevention Tips!

How to Get More Smoke From Pellet Grill

How to Get More Smoke from a Pellet Grill

Previous Post: « The Top Gluten-Free Lunch Meat Brands of 2023!
Next Post: Is Beyond Meat Gluten Free? Everything You Need to Know »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Our Favorite Recipes

Photo of a chef in the process of making chorizo

Is Chorizo Made from Lymph Nodes – (+ An Exclusive Recipe!)

Is Chorizo Made from Lymph Nodes – (+ An Exclusive Recipe!)
Can You Use Peanut Oil for Baking

Can You Use Peanut Oil for Baking – Cake Recipe Included!

Can You Use Peanut Oil for Baking – Cake Recipe Included!
summer sausage with a chef's hat

Is Summer Sausage Cooked? +(Age Old Recipe!)

Is Summer Sausage Cooked? +(Age Old Recipe!)
Sides for Italian Chicken

Sides for Italian Chicken – #Top 8 Recommendations

Sides for Italian Chicken – #Top 8 Recommendations

Recent Posts

How Long Does Vegan Butter Last? Mystery Solved

January 9, 2024

How Long Does Vegan Mayo Last

January 2, 2024

From Pot to Plate: How Long Does Vegan Chili Last in The Fridge?

December 26, 2023

Behind The Scenes: What Is Vegan Beef Made Of?

December 22, 2023

What Is Vegan Milk? 10 Best Vegan Milks With Their Benefits

December 21, 2023

Footer

“Every Day Is Another Chance To Get Stronger, To Eat Better, To Live Healthier, And To Be The Best Version Of You.”

Browse Categories

  • BBQ
  • Buying Guide
  • Comparison
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Grills
  • How To
  • Is It Keto
  • Is It Vegan
  • Recipes
  • Reviews
  • Tips & Tricks

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Earning Disclosure

Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Contents by SpicySaltySweet.com
SpicySaltySweet.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.