Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those following a gluten free diet, checking labels and researching products is essential to ensure you are consuming gluten free items. When it comes to cream of celery soup, there are fortunately several brands and varieties that are marked gluten free.
Quick Answer
Some of the most popular brands of cream of celery soup that are certified gluten free include Campbell’s, Progresso, Amy’s, and Pacific Foods. There are multiple gluten free varieties and flavors offered by these brands. As long as the label states the soup is gluten free, it should fit into a gluten free diet.
In-Depth Research
For a more comprehensive overview of cream of celery soups that are gluten free, here is an extensive list of brands and products that are currently available:
Campbell’s
- Campbell’s Cream of Celery Condensed Soup
- Campbell’s Healthy Request Cream of Celery Condensed Soup
- Campbell’s Organic Cream of Celery Soup
The iconic Campbell’s brand offers several cream of celery soups that are marked gluten free right on the label. This includes their classic condensed cream of celery soup, a lower sodium Healthy Request variety, and an organic soup. Campbell’s states that their soups are tested for gluten and must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten to be labeled gluten free.
Progresso
- Progresso Vegetable Classics Cream of Celery Soup
- Progresso Light Cream of Celery Soup
- Progresso Organic Cream of Celery Soup
Progresso is another leading soup brand that offers gluten free labeled cream of celery soups. Their traditional Vegetable Classics and lower calorie Light varieties are both marked gluten free. They also have an organic soup that is certified gluten free.
Amy’s Kitchen
- Amy’s Light in Sodium Organic Cream of Celery Soup
- Amy’s Low Fat Organic Cream of Celery Soup
- Amy’s Cream of Celery Baked Potato Soup
Amy’s Kitchen specializes in organic, vegetarian meals and soups. Their light in sodium, low fat, and baked potato cream of celery soups are all gluten free. Amy’s Kitchen products are certified gluten free to contain less than 20ppm of gluten.
Pacific Foods
- Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Celery Soup
Pacific Foods offers a certified gluten free organic creamy celery soup. They state their products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet strict gluten free standards.
365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods)
- 365 Everyday Value Organic Cream of Celery Soup
The Whole Foods brand 365 Everyday Value has an organic cream of celery soup that is certified gluten free. All 365 Everyday Value products must contain less than 20ppm of gluten.
Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Organic Cream of Celery Soup
Trader Joe’s brand of organic cream of celery soup is labeled as gluten free. Trader Joe’s confirms through testing that all labeled gluten free foods contain less than 20ppm of gluten.
Imagine Foods
- Imagine Organic Creamy Celery Soup
For another organic option, Imagine Foods offers an organic creamy celery soup that is certified gluten free and tested to contain less than 5ppm of gluten.
Wolfgang Puck
- Wolfgang Puck Organic Butternut Squash & Celery Soup
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s line of organic soups includes a butternut squash and celery flavor that is labeled gluten free.
Pacific Organic
- Pacific Organic Cream of Celery Soup
Pacific Organic soups contain simple ingredients and their cream of celery variety is certified gluten free.
Edward & Sons
- Edward & Sons Low Sodium Organic Cream of Celery Soup
Edward & Sons offer a reduced sodium organic cream of celery soup that is gluten free certified.
What to Look for When Identifying Gluten Free Cream of Celery Soup
When shopping for a gluten free cream of celery soup, be sure to look for the following:
- Gluten Free Labeled – Check that the product says “gluten free” on the packaging.
- No Wheat Ingredients – Cream of celery soups should not contain any wheat, barley, rye or malt ingredients.
- No Thickeners with Gluten – Such as wheat flour or wheat starch.
- Certified Gluten Free – Opt for brands that are certified by GFCO or another certifying body.
- Unopened Package – Check soup cans for dents or damage that could compromise the seal.
- Stored Properly – Make sure soup was stored in a cool, dry place and not near ingredients with gluten.
Are all Cream of Celery Soups Gluten Free?
Not necessarily. While many brands and varieties of cream of celery soup are gluten free, some can contain ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye or malt. Always check the label and ingredients list carefully.
Some examples of ingredients to watch out for include:
- Wheat flour
- Barley malt
- Maltodextrin
- Wheat starch
- Wheat dextrin
- Rye
- Barley
- Malt extract or flavoring
Soups thickened with wheat flour are a common culprit. Even broths and stocks can sometimes contain gluten, so it’s important to thoroughly read labels.
When in doubt, look for a cream of celery soup that is specifically labeled as gluten free on the packaging to ensure it fits a gluten free diet.
Homemade Gluten Free Cream of Celery Soup
In addition to buying pre-made soups marked gluten free, you can also easily make gluten free cream of celery soup from scratch at home. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 3 tablespoons rice flour or cornstarch
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 3-5 minutes until translucent.
- Add celery and cook another 5 minutes until softened.
- Whisk in rice flour or cornstarch until absorbed by vegetables.
- Gradually stir in broth, making sure to break up any clumps in the flour/cornstarch.
- Add celery seed, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Puree with an immersion blender or regular blender. Return to pot.
- Stir in heavy cream. Heat through before serving.
With this easy homemade recipe, you can feel confident your cream of celery soup is gluten free. You control all the ingredients that go in it.
Celery Soup Brands to Avoid on a Gluten Free Diet
While there are lots of gluten free options, there are some brands of cream of celery soup that contain gluten and should be avoided on a strict gluten free diet. Here are some to be aware of:
- Campbell’s Homestyle Cream of Celery Soup – Contains wheat flour
- Health Valley Creamy Celery Soup – Contains barley malt
- Wolfgang Puck Creamy Celery Soup – Contains wheat flour
- Simply Balanced Cream of Celery Soup – Contains barley malt extract
- Tabatchnick Cream of Celery Soup – Contains wheat flour, barley malt
- Celery Soup Base Powders – Often contain wheat flour as a thickener
Always thoroughly read the ingredients on any cream of celery soup, even if the same brand offers a gluten free variety. Formulations can vary between flavors and varieties.
Cross-Contamination Risks
Even when choosing soups marked gluten free, there can still be a risk of cross-contamination with gluten. This can occur in manufacturing facilities that also process wheat ingredients on shared equipment.
To help reduce the risks:
- Look for brands that are certified gluten free, as they adhere to strict standards and testing.
- Opt for soups labeled “certified gluten free” rather than just “gluten free”.
- Choose organic brands, as they typically have less risk of cross-contamination.
- Avoid soups with long ingredients lists, as more ingredients means more chances for cross-contamination.
- Call the manufacturer if you have any concerns – many have dedicated gluten free facilities.
Should Soup Be Avoided on a Gluten Free Diet?
Absolutely not! As long as you choose verified gluten free brands, cream of celery soup and other soups can be a nutritious part of a gluten free diet. Soups provide protein, vitamins, minerals, hydration and warmth.
Some tips for enjoying soup on a gluten free diet include:
- Make your own soup from scratch when possible.
- Carefully read all labels and ingredients lists, even on soups marked gluten free.
- Contact the manufacturer about their protocols to avoid cross-contamination.
- Stick to reputable gluten free brands you trust.
- Use common sense – thickened soups are more likely to contain gluten.
With some label reading and brand research, cream of celery soup and other canned, boxed, and homemade soups can absolutely be a tasty and convenient option on a gluten free diet.
Gluten Free Cream of Celery Soup Recipes
Making your own soup is one of the healthiest options when you want to ensure it is gluten free. Here are some delicious recipes to try:
Curried Cream of Celery Soup
Give your cream of celery soup an aromatic Indian twist with curry powder, ginger and cilantro.
Creamy Celery Root and Apple Soup
Celery root and apple make a tasty gluten free cream soup using coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
Creamy Celery and Spinach Soup
Boost nutrition by blending vitamin-rich spinach into gluten free celery soup.
Garden Vegetable and Celery Soup
Use celery as the base along with carrots, onions, peppers and your choice of veggies for chunky garden-fresh flavor.
Creamy Celery and Fennel Soup
Complement the celery with aromatic licorice-y notes from fresh fennel.
Celery and Cauliflower Soup
Two nutritious pale vegetables team up for a hearty dairy-free soup.
With endless ingredient combinations, making homemade cream of celery soup means endless gluten free options. Experiment with herbs, spices, veggies and broths or stocks to find a flavor you love.
| Gluten Free Brand | Product Names |
|---|---|
| Campbell’s | Cream of Celery Condensed Soup, Healthy Request Cream of Celery Condensed Soup, Organic Cream of Celery Soup |
| Progresso | Vegetable Classics Cream of Celery Soup, Light Cream of Celery Soup, Organic Cream of Celery Soup |
| Amy’s Kitchen | Light in Sodium Organic Cream of Celery Soup, Low Fat Organic Cream of Celery Soup, Cream of Celery Baked Potato Soup |
| Pacific Foods | Organic Creamy Celery Soup |
| 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) | Organic Cream of Celery Soup |
Conclusion
From leading brands like Campbell’s and Progresso to organic options from Amy’s Kitchen and Pacific Foods, fortunately there are many tasty cream of celery soups available that are labeled gluten free. Just remember to always carefully read ingredient labels, look for certification, and contact the manufacturer if you ever have any doubt about gluten free claims. Making your own gluten free cream of celery soup from scratch can also give you total control over ingredients. With a few precautions, cream of celery soup can be safely enjoyed as part of an gluten free diet.