The 10 Best Gluten-Free Salad Dressings (+ Recipes)

By Tenley Haraldson, Yuliia Stsepeleva / Last Modified On July 31, 2023

Thanks to an abundance of fresh produce, summer is easily the best time to experiment with salads. And for those of you that follow a gluten-free diet, it couldn’t be easier to enjoy the perfect salad – whether you’re pouring store-bought or homemade gluten-free salad dressing over the top of it.

Here, we talk about identifying gluten-free dressings, avoiding particularly sneaky ingredients, and making tried-and-true favorites at home.

HOW DO I FIND A GLUTEN-FREE SALAD DRESSING?

If you’ve ever reviewed product labels in the supermarket aisles, you’ll realize that several salad dressing brands have confusing ingredient lists. The easiest way to decide what to throw in your basket: Opt for gluten-free labeling with the following phrasing:

Gluten-free - Only gluten-free ingredients are used. There are fewer than 20 parts per million, according to FDA standards.
Certified gluten-free - approved by either the GFCO, BRCGS, or NSF. Facilities and products have been inspected to ensure they’re 100% gluten-free.

Pro tip: If you spot “No gluten ingredients,” the product hasn’t been tested for gluten. There may also be a risk of cross-contamination.

Check the Ingredient List

If you’re looking at a salad dressing and spot any of these ingredients, we recommend putting it back on the shelf:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
• Malt
• Soy sauce (though most Tamari is gluten-free)
• Brewer’s yeast
• Yeast extract
• Food starch
• Soybean oil (as it’s often cross-contaminated)

Is Blue Cheese Dressing Gluten-Free?

Most blue cheese is considered gluten-free, but some cheese cultures are grown on wheat or rye bread. 

Is Vinegar Gluten-Free?

One of the most common ingredients in any salad dressing is vinegar. However, it’s possible for folks with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity to react to vinegar. Balsamic, red wine, champagne, apple cider, and pure distilled vinegar are gluten-free. Flavored, seasoned, and malt vinegars aren't safe for a celiac diet. 

Thickeners and Fillers

Be mindful of thickeners, especially ingredients like food starch, modified food starch, and flour. Fillers can be especially tricky to determine, so try to avoid the following: flavorings (e.g., artificial, natural), artificial color, and spice blend.

THE 10 BEST GLUTEN-FREE BOTTLED SALAD DRESSINGS

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of all gluten-free salad dressings, they’re some of our favorites! As a friendly reminder, food products can be updated at any stage, so it’s always best to check ingredient labels before ordering or purchasing anything.

1. Yo Mama's

YO MAMA'S is so much more than its gluten-free label: Even their creamiest salad dressings are dairy-free, sugar-free, low-carb, and with zero fillers. We’re pretty delighted to dip our French fries into any of them!

2. Annie’s Naturals

What can we say about Annie’s? It’s present on the shelves of countless health food aisles – and for great reason! We appreciate the massive flavor, as well as the company’s short and clear ingredient lists. My personal favorite is the Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette (made with tamari). You can also never go wrong with their Organic Red Wine Vinegar & Olive Oil Vinaigrette. 

3. BRIANNA’S

We love that Brianna’s creates all their salad dressings in small batches – without high-fructose corn syrup. We also appreciate how easy their gluten-free salad dressing labels are to read. Try their thick and creamy Blue Cheese Dressing on chicken wings, Champagne Vinaigrette on grilled veggies, or their Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette on a goat cheese salad. Whatever you choose, it’ll be delicious! 

4. DREW'S ORGANICS

Tired of vinaigrettes? Looking to spice things up? Drew’s Organics offers a wide range of salad dressings with gluten-free certification. Who could resist the tang of Smoked Jalapeno Ranch or Romano Caesar? 

Pro tip: Even though it’s a GF salad dressing, use it on pizza crust, quesadillas, and as a marinade for chicken breasts. 

5. G HUGHES

Made by an award-winning pitmaster (G Hughes himself), these gluten-free salad dressings are also keto-friendly, low in sugar, and packed with flavor. Why not try a Raspberry Vinaigrette that’s sweetened with plums? Or an Asian Miso Dressing that’s equally delicious on rice noodle salads and ribs? 

6.  KEN’S STEAKHOUSE

Ken’s makes nearly 60 varieties of salad dressings, and they’re all pretty tried-and-true. According to the company site, plenty have a gluten-free label, too! Among our favorites are: 

• 1000 Island Dressing
• Creamy French
• Greek Dressing

7. NEWMAN’S OWN

Did you know Newman’s Own started with actor Paul Newman’s personal salad dressing recipe? Nearly every one of their salad dressings is gluten-free – and 100% of profits go straight to amazing charities. What’s not to love? 

Try these to jumpstart your tastebuds: 

• Poppy Seed
• Caesar
• Balsamic Vinaigrette

8. ORGANICVILLE

If you haven’t discovered Organicville’s gluten-free salad dressings, prepare yourself. Not only is the vinegar organic and sourced from corn or beets (not wheat), these products are USDA organic, certified vegan, and sweetened with agave nectar. Among our favorites are: 

• Sundried Tomato & Garlic
• Balsamic with Olive Oil
• Miso Ginger Vinaigrette

9. PRIMAL KITCHEN

Healthy, plant-based oils, zero artificial sweeteners, and organic whenever possible. This company seems to have thought of everything. Try their Balsamic and Avocado Oil Dressing to blast your tastebuds into orbit. Whatever you choose, the whole family will appreciate the flexibility of these gluten-free salad dressings and marinades. 

10. SKINNYGIRL

With its gluten-free label, don’t sleep on Skinnygirl's sugar-free dressing. Like thousands of positive reviews, we were impressed with the balanced flavor of the Balsamic Vinaigrette. And while it’s listed as a gluten-free salad dressing, it’s hard to resist dipping roast beef in the Honey Dijon Dressing.

3 GLUTEN-FREE SALAD DRESSING RECIPES

When it comes to making your own salad dressing, there are plenty of benefits:

• greater control over the taste
• no risk of cross-contamination
• limited salt and sugar content
• cost-effective 
• incredibly fast

Here are our favorite homemade gluten-free salad dressing recipes:

1. GLUTEN-FREE VINAIGRETTE

When made at home, vinaigrette dressing is often a safe gluten-free option. To make the tastiest version, we recommend a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil, as well as a decent red wine, champagne, or balsamic vinegar. Do not use distilled vinegar for this dressing. 

Pro tip: If you choose a truly extra-virgin olive oil, use it for finishing dishes or salads. Don’t heat it!

Prep time - 5 minutes
Cook time - 5 minutes
Servings - ½ cup

INGREDIENTS

½ cup oil
2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 TBSP vinegar (e.g., red wine, champagne, balsamic)
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp sweetener (e.g., honey, maple syrup, agave)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place all ingredients in a jar, screw on the lid tightly, and shake well.
2. If the dressing is too acidic, add your sweetener. If it's too sweet, slowly pour in a little vinegar or lemon juice.

This dressing can be used immediately, but you can also store it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Cold will cause the olive oil to thicken, so simply bring it to room temperature and shake before use.

2. GLUTEN-FREE ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING

This vinaigrette adds fresh herbs, garlic, and parmesan, giving it a slightly thicker consistency. 

Prep time - 5 minutes
Cooking time - 2 minutes
Servings - ¾ cup

INGREDIENTS

½ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 TBSP lemon juice
2 TBSP white or red wine vinegar
1 tsp sweetener (e.g., brown sugar, honey, maple syrup)
2 TBSP grated parmesan (optional)
1 tsp dried herbs (e.g., basil, oregano, thyme mix)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp sea salt flakes
1 minced garlic clove
2 TBSP chopped parsley
⅓ tsp ground white pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the ingredients in a jar with a tightly-closed lid.
2. If the dressing has thickened in the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature. Shake again or mix thoroughly before use. 
3. Taste and balance flavor. 
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

3. GLUTEN-FREE CAESAR SALAD DRESSING

Is Caesar dressing gluten-free? It is if you make it at home! And you’ll be delighted, as it’s one of the most satisfying, umami dressings anywhere.  

Prep time - 5 minutes
Cook time - 5 minutes
Servings - ½ cup

INGREDIENTS

½ cup oil (e.g., extra-virgin olive oil, canola, avocado)
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 minced garlic clove
4-5 ground anchovies
2 TBSP lemon juice
⅕ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
3 TBSP grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Grind anchovies and garlic into a smooth paste. We recommend a mortar and pestle.
2. Using a Hand Blender: Place the yolk on the bottom of a tall glass (keep it whole). Carefully cover the yolk with a blender blade and start beating as you slowly drizzle in the oil.
3. Once the mixture thickens, add salt, mustard, and lemon juice.
4. Continue beating for another 30 seconds until you have a thick mayonnaise mixture.
5. Mix the mayonnaise, anchovy paste, salt, pepper, parmesan, and Worcestershire sauce
6. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Note: You can also use a manual or mechanical whisk to beat the yolk with oil.  Pour the oil in a thin stream until the liquid becomes light and thick. If the mayonnaise remains a liquid, add more oil and continue to beat. Follow steps 3-6. 

MORE GF SALAD RECIPE IDEAS:

• Tzatziki dip - This easy tzatziki dip is full of fresh herbs, creamy Greek yogurt, and a punch of garlic. It’s perfect when cucumbers are in season!
• Tuna Salad with Greek Yogurt - This is a great way to make tuna salad healthier. Packed with crunchy vegetables and simply seasoned, it’s an endlessly delicious lunch option.
• Gluten-free coleslaw - This creamy, crunchy salad is great on its own (but we love it on a sandwich)!

CHOOSING GLUTEN-FREE SALAD DRESSINGS

Whether you eat a gluten-free diet to treat inflammation, show solidarity for a loved one, or mitigate health reactions, you take your food seriously. But you certainly never need to sacrifice flavor! 

While switching to gluten-free salad dressings is a great start, we also recommend keeping an eye on the saturated fat, sugar, and sodium in each bottle. Many dressings on the market are also highly-processed and contain preservatives. 

ARE ALL SALAD DRESSINGS GLUTEN-FREE?

No, many bottled salad dressings contain gluten. Due to celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, many brands make gluten-free salad dressing options. 

IS BALSAMIC DRESSING GLUTEN-FREE?

No matter the bottled salad dressing, you’ll need to investigate the ingredient list much more closely. If you’re making a simple balsamic dressing at home, you’ll need a couple of ingredients: balsamic vinegar, oil, and seasonings. 

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SALAD DRESSING IS GLUTEN-FREE?

Generally, you can check for a gluten-free label or a certified gluten-free label to ensure your food is safe for a celiac-friendly diet. 

Did we forget one of your favorite gluten-free salad dressing brands? Leave us a note below – we’re always excited to discover something new and delicious!