Is A1 Sauce Truly Gluten-Free? A Closer Look at the Ingredients

Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On July 10, 2025

Is A1 gluten free? It's a question that runs through all of our minds when considering steak sauce. And the answer is more complex than just "no". Let's take a look and find out if your favorite steak condiment is gluten free and how to keep safe.

We will also discuss what we need to consider when evaluating whether any specific condiment is gluten free (and whether it's safe to eat with Celiac).

Ingredient Breakdown of A1 Steak Sauce

Here is the list of ingredients in A1 sauce. As you can see from the list below, only one of the ingredients contains big warning flags.

Xanthan gum is safe (and we use it all the time for baked goods like this gluten-free bread). Salt, tomato, onion, and just about all the rest are naturally gluten free. But what about the second item on the list?

tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
vinegar
corn syrup
salt
raisin paste
crushed orange puree
spices (contains celery)
dried garlic
caramel color
dried onion
xanthan gum

So if we just consider the ingredients, is it safe to say that A1 Steak Sauce is gluten free? Not exactly. Let's talk about the potentially gluten-containing ingredient (and about condiments in general).

On Gluten-Free Condiments

The gluten free condiment product segment is projected to grow to USD 3.14 billion by 2033. So that's good news for all of us experiencing celiac disease, as it gives us more choices.

Condiments are the finishing touch to your juicy burger, the addition to your salad, and often, they help us reach for seconds and even thirds. Plus, they're so convenient. We love gluten-free teriyaki sauce and add it whenever we can. Anything ending with sauce, really.

So with that being said, let's dive into a firm favorite, A1 sauce, and work this one out.

How Gluten Can Sneak Into Condiments

To review A1 sauce, we need to understand what ingredients make their way into our condiments, so we can look out for them.

Gluten can often be disguised with the endless jargon, so let's arm you with some terms and what to look out for:

Malt Vinegar & Barley-Based Ingredients - Vinegar is usually distilled from barley or grains. If it is labeled “distilled from gluten-free grains,” then you are ok. That said, malt vinegar and flavored vinegars sometimes contain gluten.
Soy Sauce & Fermented Sauces - Soy sauce is brewed with wheat. Tamari or soy sauce labelled gluten-free, certified is safe.
Thickeners & Modified Starches - It may come from wheat or flour (wheat, rye).
Natural & Artificial Flavors - “Natural flavor” or “spice blend” can be a red flag, so be aware of them.
Cross-Contact in Shared Facilities - Depending on your gluten sensitivity, look for dedicated “gluten-free facility” labels if you have high sensitivity, where exposure can lead to diarrhea and fatigue. It can also cause damage to your intestines.

There's one big stopping point for many of us. If barley malt vinegar is made with gluten containing grains, then it's a no-go for people on a gluten-free diet.

And the other major stopper is not seeing a certified gluten-free label.

Regulatory & Labeling Considerations

Kraft Heinz is the brand that sells A1 Original steak sauce. The bottle is not labelled gluten-free. We do, however, know that Kraft Heinz usually discloses gluten-containing ingredients on their ingredient labels.

The U.S. FDA gluten-free labeling outlines all the requirements to meet the claim of being labelled "certified gluten free". Kraft Heinz hasn’t opted in to voluntary FDA gluten-free labeling, maybe for cost or cross-contact reasons.

Sauce Verdict

So, it's not a clear-cut yes or no. The recipe lists mostly gluten free ingredients, but, but it comes down to you deciding your tolerance level. The sticking point for many of us is the malt vinegar. And it's your choice whether it's worth a potential setback to try it for yourself.

Whatever your choice, that's not the only option. There are a variety of certified gluten free steak sauces available.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm going to answer a few common questions related to A1 Sauce (and gluten-free steak sauces in general) too. If you have any other questions, just let me know!

Can You Make Steak Sauce At Home With GF Ingredients?

Steak sauce is generally thicker, so you need to play around with the following ingredients: tomato paste or purée, with vinegar, sweeteners (corn syrup or sugar), fruit purées, spices, and sometimes gluten free soy or Worcestershire for depth.

Homemade, gluten-free Worcestershire Sauce in a glass jar.

If you're up to it, make this homemade gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. It is not steak sauce, but a great alternative. Plus, when you make it yourself you know exactly what's in it.

What Other Steak Sauces Are Gluten Free?

If you are short on time, here are some other options that are labeled gluten free so you have peace of mind:

Primal Kitchen - This brand of organic steak sauce is certified gluten free, so it's a great option that also tastes good. Plus it's pretty easy to find. You can even get it on Amazon. There, more than 80% of reviews are four or five stars.
Rufus Teague Steak Sauce - This sauce is certified gluten free, and I agree with the statement that it makes your BBQ even better. This is another one that's super easy to find. I've seen it at grocery stores next to other steak sauces.
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce - This brand is also made by Kraft Heinz and is labeled "gluten-free". Versions sold outside of the USA may contain gluten due to malt vinegar. This is an alternative to steak sauce. If you want a for-sure gluten-free version, you can make your own!

How Is BBQ Sauce Different From Steak Sauce?

BBQ sauce is usually used more for basting and cooking. It has a smoky, pourable, and spicy taste. Steak sauce is a denser, tangy condiment meant for grilled or seared meats after it has been cooked. So it's more of a finishing sauce.