Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people opting to avoid gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those following a gluten free diet, checking labels and carefully reading ingredients lists is a must, since gluten can sneak its way into unexpected products. When it comes to spices and seasonings, McCormick is one of the major brands widely available in most grocery stores. But which McCormick products are guaranteed gluten free? Here is a comprehensive guide to which McCormick seasonings contain no gluten ingredients.
Why Check Seasonings for Gluten?
While spices themselves don’t naturally contain gluten, seasonings, spice blends, and flavorings often include additives and preservatives that can sometimes contain traces of gluten. The most common sources of gluten to watch out for on ingredients labels include:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Malt
- Malt flavoring/extract
- Modified food starch
- Dextrin
- Caramel color/flavoring
When scanning McCormick seasoning labels, these are the key terms to look for to identify potential gluten ingredients. Keep in mind that spices which are naturally gluten free can become contaminated with gluten through processing and manufacturing equipment that also handles wheat. For those who are highly sensitive, even small amounts of cross-contamination can trigger a reaction.
How McCormick Indicates Gluten Free Status
McCormick makes it easy to identify which products are guaranteed gluten free right on the label. Here are the cues to look for:
- “Gluten Free” icon on the front of the packaging
- “Gluten Free” listed in the allergen information
- No ingredients containing gluten listed in the ingredients list
Any McCormick product that does not have one of these indicators could potentially contain traces of gluten from cross-contamination. Only products explicitly labeled as gluten free are certified not to exceed 10ppm of gluten from contamination.
McCormick Gluten Free Spice Blends
Here are some of McCormick’s most popular spice blends and seasoning mixes that are labeled gluten free:
- Bay Leaves
- Black Pepper
- California Style Garlic Pepper
- Celery Seed
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Dill Weed
- Ginger
- Onion Powder
- Oregano Leaves
- Paprika
- Parsley Flakes
- Red Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Ground Mustard
- Ground Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
- Thyme
- Turmeric
- McCormick Mesquite Blend
- Lemon Pepper Blend
- McCormick Italian Herb Blend
- McCormick Simply Organic Taco Seasoning
These are just a few examples of McCormick’s vast range of gluten-free spice blend options. Be sure to check the label to confirm gluten free status.
Gluten Free McCormick Grill Mates
McCormick’s popular Grill Mates line of seasoning blends for chicken, beef, pork, and other grilled foods has several gluten-free certified options:
- Grill Mates Chicken Rub, Original
- Grill Mates Rib Rub, Brown Sugar & Chili
- Grill Mates Rib Rub, Original
- Grill Mates Mesquite Seasoning Blend
- Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning
- Grill Mates Kansas City Steak Seasoning
Again, always verify on the label, as some Grill Mates blends do contain gluten ingredients.
Gluten Free McCormick Gravy Mixes
Finding gluten free gravy can be tricky, since many brands contain wheat flour or other glutenous thickeners. McCormick makes preparation easy with their gluten free gravy mix options:
- McCormick Gluten Free Brown Gravy Mix
- McCormick Gluten Free Country Style Gravy Mix
- McCormick Gluten Free Peppered Biscuit Gravy Mix
- McCormick Gluten Free Turkey Gravy Mix
These allow you to easily whip up gluten free gravies from scratch without the hassle of figuring out substitutions.
Gluten Free McCormick Recipe Inspirations Mixes
For fast and easy one-step homemade meals, McCormick’s Recipe Inspirations mixes make cooking gluten free dinners a breeze. Here are some of the gluten free options:
- Gluten Free Cheeseburger Skillet Mix
- Gluten Free Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo Mix
- Gluten Free Southwest Chicken Skillet Mix
More gluten free choices are being added to the Recipe Inspirations line all the time, so keep an eye out for new options.
Gluten Free McCormick Extracts and Food Colors
For baking and cooking, McCormick has a wide selection of gluten free extracts and food colorings:
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pure Lemon Extract
- Pure Almond Extract
- Pure Mint Extract
- Pure Orange Extract
- Red Food Color
- Green Food Color
- Yellow Food Color
- Blue Food Color
McCormick’s pure extracts and food colors contain no gluten sources, giving you options for flavoring and coloring foods without worrying about cross-contamination.
Pantry Staples Marked Gluten Free
In addition to seasonings and flavorings, McCormick marks many pantry staple items gluten free as well. Here are some examples:
- Baking Powder
- Pure Ground Black Pepper
- Ground Mustard
- Ground Ginger
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Crushed Red Pepper
These basic pantry items can help round out your gluten free spice collection.
Gluten Free McCormick Organic Offerings
McCormick features a line of certified USDA Organic spices and blends, many of which are also marked gluten free. Some gluten free organic options include:
- Organic Black Pepper
- Organic Cinnamon
- Organic Crushed Red Pepper
- Organic Onion Powder
- Organic Paprika
- Organic Garlic Powder
- Organic Italian Seasoning
Choosing organic spices provides the added benefit of no exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides.
Gluten Free McCormick Single Herb and Spice Options
Beyond blends, McCormick carries a wide range of single gluten free herbs and spices including:
- Basil Leaf
- Oregano Leaf
- Chili Powder
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ginger
- Mustard Powder
- Black Pepper
- Kosher Salt
- Smoked Paprika
- Thyme Leaf
- Turmeric
- Rubbed Sage
These single ingredients provide flexibility to create your own custom spice blends to suit your tastes and recipes.
Gluten Free McCormick Organic Single Herbs and Spices
For those seeking organic options, McCormick has an assortment of certified gluten free organic single herbs and spices like:
- Organic Basil
- Organic Oregano
- Organic Cinnamon
- Organic Ginger
- Organic Paprika
- Organic Black Pepper
- Organic Turmeric Powder
Stocking up on these basic organic spices ensures you’ll always have gluten free ingredients on hand.
Gluten Free McCormick Bacon, Sausage, and Soup Bases
To make cooking easier, McCormick offers gluten free bases for soups, bacon, sausage, and more:
- Gluten Free Pork Sausage Seasoning Mix
- Gluten Free Breakfast Sausage Seasoning Mix
- Gluten Free Bacon Bits, Real
- Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup Base
- Gluten Free Creamy Chicken & Herb Soup Base
With McCormick’s gluten free bases, you can cut prep time without sacrificing safety or taste.
Are All McCormick Products Gluten Free?
While McCormick offers a wide variety of gluten free herbs, spices, and seasonings, not all McCormick products are guaranteed gluten free. Some products, especially sauce and gravy mixes, include wheat flour or malt extracts. It’s always important to carefully check the label for the “gluten free” call-out or inspect the ingredients list for any potential sources of gluten.
How to Find Other Gluten Free McCormick Products
To identify other McCormick offerings that may be gluten free but not specially labeled, scan the ingredients lists looking for any of the terms that typically indicate gluten:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Malt
- Dextrin
- Modified food starch
If none of these or other obvious gluten ingredients are listed, the product is likely safe for gluten free diets. When in doubt, contact McCormick directly via their website, email, or phone to inquire about an item’s gluten status.
McCormick Gluten Free Recipe Ideas
Once your gluten free spice rack is well-stocked with McCormick offerings, get cooking with these tasty meal ideas:
Gluten Free McCormick Chili
- Ground beef
- Onions
- Tomato sauce
- Kidney beans
- McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix
Brown the beef and onions, add remaining ingredients and serve topped with shredded cheese, avocado, and cilantro.
Gluten Free McCormick Taco Meat
- Ground beef or turkey
- Onion
- McCormick Taco Seasoning
- Water
Brown the meat with onions. Add taco seasoning and water. Use as filling for tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, etc.
Gluten Free McCormick Meatloaf
- Ground beef
- Eggs
- McCormick Meatloaf Seasoning
- Ketchup
Mix ground beef, eggs, and seasoning. Shape into loaf and brush with ketchup. Bake until cooked through.
Gluten Free McCormick Spiced Roasted Vegetables
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Bell peppers
- Onion
- Olive oil
- McCormick Canada Steak Seasoning
Toss vegetables in oil and seasoning. Roast at 400°F until tender.
Gluten Free McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice Rubbed Chicken
- Boneless chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice
Coat chicken in oil then pumpkin pie spice rub. Grill or bake until cooked through.
Where to Buy McCormick Gluten Free Products
McCormick products are ubiquitous, found in most major grocery stores, warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, and online. To find McCormick gluten free offerings near you:
- Search major grocery store websites to see if gluten free McCormick spices can be ordered online for delivery or in-store pickup
- Check listings on online retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Thrive Market, and others
- Look for McCormick’s dedicated gluten free section at stores like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and more
- Check natural food stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers
McCormick makes it easy to identify and find an array of high quality, flavorful gluten free herbs, spices, and seasonings. With McCormick, you can enjoy cooking for a gluten free diet without losing any flavor or variety.
Conclusion
When cooking or baking without gluten, spices and seasonings from McCormick can help add back lots of the flavor that is often lost with gluten free flours and substitutions. McCormick provides a wide assortment of versatile spices, blends, and flavorings that are certified gluten free and safe for those with celiac disease or on a gluten free diet due to sensitivity or intolerance. By taking the effort to label their products clearly and expand their gluten free selection, McCormick makes it simpler for consumers to identify which products fit their dietary needs. So check your McCormick labels, stock your gluten free spice rack, and enjoy cooking up amazingly flavorful gluten free meals.
