Does Stove Top Stuffing have gluten free?

Stove Top stuffing is a popular boxed stuffing mix that many people enjoy, especially around the holidays. For those who need to follow a gluten-free diet, a common question is whether Stove Top stuffing contains gluten or if there is a gluten-free version available.

The short answer is that regular Stove Top stuffing is not gluten-free. However, Stove Top does offer a gluten-free stuffing mix called Stove Top Gluten Free Stuffing that is safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

What is Stove Top Stuffing?

Stove Top Stuffing is a seasoned bread crumb mix used to make stuffing or dressing for poultry and other meats. The original Stove Top flavor contains bread crumbs, poultry seasoning, and other ingredients to create a savory stuffing.

Stove Top stuffing comes in a box containing pouches of dried stuffing mix. To prepare it, you simply boil water or broth and pour it over the stuffing mix, stir, and let it sit for a few minutes before baking inside or alongside a turkey, chicken, or other meat.

The stuffing cooks up light and fluffy with herbs and spices throughout. Stove Top’s convenience and flavor has made it a staple for many households at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays for decades.

Does Regular Stove Top Stuffing Contain Gluten?

Yes, regular Stove Top stuffing contains gluten.

The main ingredient in regular Stove Top stuffing is wheat bread crumbs. Wheat contains the proteins glutenin and gliadin, which together form the gluten protein.

For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction or causes unpleasant symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue. That’s why it’s essential for people following a gluten-free diet to avoid products that contain gluten.

In addition to the wheat bread crumbs, regular Stove Top stuffing contains maltodextrin and natural flavors. Maltodextrin is sometimes made from wheat, and natural flavors can also contain gluten.

So regular Stove Top stuffing is not considered gluten-free. People who need to follow a gluten-free diet will have to avoid regular Stove Top stuffing and look for gluten-free alternatives instead.

Does Stove Top Make a Gluten-Free Stuffing?

The good news is that Stove Top does provide a gluten-free stuffing option.

Stove Top Gluten Free Stuffing is specially formulated to be gluten-free. Instead of wheat bread crumbs, it contains certified gluten-free bread crumbs and other gluten-free ingredients.

Stove Top Gluten Free Stuffing comes in several flavors:

  • Chicken flavor
  • Herb seasoning
  • Savory herb

The gluten-free stuffing mixes follow the same easy preparation as regular Stove Top stuffing. You just add hot liquid, let it stand, fluff with a fork, and bake.

Stove Top Gluten Free Stuffing gives people following a gluten-free diet a convenient and tasty way to enjoy stuffing and dressing without worrying about gluten exposure.

Ingredients in Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing

Here are the ingredients for one variety of Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing, the Home Style Chicken flavor:

  • Cornbread crumbs (corn meal, corn flour)
  • Rice crumbs
  • Potato starch
  • Millet flour
  • Expeller pressed canola oil
  • 2% or less of: parsley, chicken broth, onions, salt, chicken fat, honey, yeast extract, onion powder, dried celery, maltodextrin, chicken, natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, thyme, rosemary.

As you can see, instead of wheat the crumbs and flour are made from gluten-free whole grains like corn, rice, and millet.

The gluten-free stuffing mixes may also contain trace amounts of wheat or barley due to shared manufacturing equipment. But the levels must test below 20 ppm, the FDA requirement for foods labeled “gluten-free.”

People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can enjoy the taste and texture of Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing without concern.

Nutrition Information for Gluten-Free Stove Top Stuffing

Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing provides similar nutrition as the regular stuffing mixes. Here is the nutrition information for a 1/4 cup dry serving of Stove Top Gluten-Free Home Style Chicken flavor stuffing:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 110
Fat 2.5g
Carbohydrates 20g
Fiber 1g
Sugar 2g
Protein 2g
Sodium 440mg

The gluten-free stuffing is low in fat and provides filling fiber, carbohydrates, and protein. The major downside is the high sodium content, typical for many convenience food products.

People wishing to lower their sodium intake may want to decrease added salt when preparing the gluten-free stuffing. Overall through, the nutrition profile is similar to regular Stove Top stuffing.

Where to Buy Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing

You can find Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing mixes in the stuffing/dressing aisle at most major grocery stores. Stove Top stuffing products are carried at chains like Walmart, Target, and Kroger nationwide.

The chicken flavor gluten-free stuffing is the most widely available variety. You may have to check at larger grocery stores like Wegmans or specialty health food stores to find the other gluten-free flavors.

Stove Top Gluten-Free can also be purchased online through grocery delivery services like Instacart and Walmart Grocery, or ordered from Amazon. Compared to purchasing at the store, online prices are typically a dollar or two more per box.

No matter where you buy it, look for the certified gluten-free logo to ensure you are purchasing the gluten-free version. Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing packaging is quite similar to the regular stuffing, so double check to avoid buying the incorrect item by accident.

Price of Gluten-Free Stove Top Stuffing

Stove Top Gluten-Free stuffing is priced a bit higher than the regular stuffing mixes. Here are some typical prices:

  • Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing (6 oz box): $3.48
  • Stove Top Classic Stuffing (6 oz box): $2.98

The smaller gluten-free boxes are about 50 cents more expensive than the regular stuffing. Per ounce, the gluten-free stuffing averages around 20-30 cents more.

Larger family-size boxes show a higher price gap:

  • Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing (14 oz box): $5.48
  • Stove Top Classic Stuffing (14 oz box): $3.98

The increased cost reflects the more expensive gluten-free ingredients required. The corn, rice, and other gluten-free grains and starches cost more than regular wheat.

Despite the slightly higher price, Stove Top Gluten-Free stuffing provides an affordable way for people on a medically necessary gluten-free diet to enjoy this holiday favorite.

How to Prepare Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing

Stove Top Gluten-Free stuffing mixes prepare just the same as regular Stove Top stuffing. Here are simple instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray a baking dish.
  2. Bring chicken broth, water, or other liquid to a boil. Use the amount specified on the stuffing mix package directions.
  3. Place the dry stuffing mix in a large bowl. Pour the hot liquid over the stuffing mix. Stir until well combined.
  4. Let the stuffing sit for 5 minutes to fully absorb the liquid and soften the bread crumbs.
  5. Fluff the stuffing with a fork and transfer it to the prepared baking dish.
  6. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until heated through and crispy on top.
  7. For extra flavor, mix in chopped onions, celery, mushrooms, sausage, or other favorite stuffing ingredients before baking. Add fresh herbs too.
  8. Can be baked inside poultry or alongside a meat dish. Bake until the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches 165°F.

The gluten-free stuffing offers the same ease of preparation and can be seasoned further just like regular Stove Top. Enjoy your favorite holiday stuffing without gluten!

Gluten-Free Alternatives to Stove Top Stuffing

In addition to the Stove Top brand, there are other gluten-free bread stuffing mixes available:

  • Mrs. Cubbison’s – Offers gluten-free cornbread stuffing and multigrain stuffing
  • Katz – Sells several gluten-free bread stuffing varieties including apple pecan, basil, and Greek orzo pilaf
  • Ian’s – Gluten-free stuffings available in roasted garlic, mushroom, and sausage flavors
  • Aleias – Their gluten-free stuffing comes in herb seasoned and chicken flavors

These can all be found in the gluten-free aisle of grocery stores, at health food stores, or ordered online. Homemade from gluten-free bread or cornbread is another alternative.

For a lower carb option, pork or mushroom rind stuffing seasoned with herbs, chicken broth, and vegetables makes a tasty gluten-free choice too.

Is Stove Top Stuffing Safe for People with Celiac Disease?

Regular Stove Top stuffing containing wheat is not safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Consuming gluten triggers intestinal damage in people with celiac disease.

But Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing is perfectly safe for those with celiac disease, as long as you verify the product is certified gluten-free. The gluten-free varieties are made with corn, rice, and other gluten-free grains instead of wheat.

When preparing the certified gluten-free stuffing, just be sure to avoid cross-contamination by:

  • Using a clean work area and cooking tools not exposed to gluten
  • Cooking the stuffing in a pan rather than inside gluten-containing poultry
  • Not adding any croutons or regular bread cubes
  • Serving with gluten-free gravy if desired

With proper precautions, Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing can be enjoyed safely by those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

Is Stove Top Stuffing Safe for a Wheat Allergy?

People with a wheat allergy need to avoid any products containing wheat, including regular Stove Top stuffing which contains wheat bread crumbs.

Even tiny amounts of wheat can trigger an allergic reaction in those with a wheat allergy. Symptoms may include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting, and other issues.

But the certified gluten-free varieties of Stove Top stuffing contain no wheat and are safe for those with a wheat allergy. The crumbs and starches are made from corn, rice, and other gluten-free grains that are safe for people with a wheat allergy.

Just check the ingredients and gluten-free certification to ensure you purchase the proper wheat-free Stove Top stuffing. With this simple precaution, you can safely enjoy Stove Top gluten-free stuffing with no concerns about wheat allergy reactions.

Is Stove Top Stuffing Vegetarian or Vegan?

Regular Stove Top stuffing contains chicken fat and natural chicken flavors, so it is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

However, Stove Top does offer vegetarian and vegan stuffing options:

  • Stove Top VeganMade Stuffing – Made with plant-based ingredients; certified vegan
  • Stove Top Herb Seasoned Stuffing – Does not contain meat ingredients; vegetarian

The Stove Top VeganMade blend contains textured wheat and pea protein instead of chicken flavors. And the Herb Seasoned variety simply uses vegetable broth.

So people following plant-based diets do have Stove Top stuffing choices available. As always, be sure to check the ingredients to verify vegetarian suitability and certified vegan status.

Is Stove Top Stuffing Keto?

Regular Stove Top stuffing is not keto-friendly, due to the wheat-based bread crumbs that contribute carbohydrates. A 1/4 cup serving contains 20g total carbs.

However, there are some ways to create a lower carb stuffing suitable for keto diets using Stove Top stuffing:

  • Use lower carb vegetables like cauliflower or mushrooms instead of some of the stuffing mix. This reduces the carb count.
  • Prepare Stove Top stuffing with pork rinds instead of the bread crumb packet.
  • Add butter or oil to boost the fat content and help meet keto macros.
  • Opt for small individual servings rather than large helpings.

With modifications, people following a keto diet can still enjoy tasty Stove Top stuffing. Just focus on reducing the carbs and upping the fat.

Stove Top Stuffing Reviews

Here are reviews for Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing options:

Positive Reviews

  • “Tastes exactly like regular Stove Top! My family didn’t even notice it was gluten-free.”
  • “Perfectly fluffy and flavorful stuffing. Convenient and easy.”
  • “I was so excited when I saw Stove Top came out with a gluten-free version. Now I don’t have to miss out at Thanksgiving.”
  • “Better quality and tastier than some other brands of gluten-free stuffing I’ve tried.”

Negative Reviews

  • “Cornbread flavor was a little bland. I had to add more poultry seasoning and herbs.”
  • “Would be better with larger pieces instead of fine crumbs.”
  • “The chicken version is decent but I disliked the sage herb flavor.”

Most reviews for Stove Top’s gluten-free stuffing are very positive. People praise the convenience, familiar flavor, and versatility. Negative reviews mention it can be slightly bland, so adding extra seasoning helps. Overall though, it earns high marks as an easy and tasty gluten-free version of a beloved stuffing.

Conclusion

Regular Stove Top stuffing contains gluten and is not safe for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. However, Stove Top does offer gluten-free stuffing mixes made with corn, rice, and other gluten-free grains.

Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing comes in several flavors and allows people following a gluten-free diet to enjoy this convenient holiday classic. It prepares the same simple way, with the same great taste.

While priced slightly higher than regular Stove Top stuffing, the gluten-free version gets rave reviews and makes sticking to your diet easy and delicious. Stove Top Gluten-Free Stuffing lets you focus on festivities, not food worries.

So don’t dread missing out on stuffing because of gluten-free needs. Pick up Stove Top Gluten-Free at your grocery store so you can indulge along with everyone else!

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