If you want to kick up the flavor of your favorite dish, a touch of tamari might do the trick. Knowing the best gluten-free soy sauce brands can take your cooking to the next level and open the doors to new seasoning horizons. Each brand features unique characteristics and flavor profiles, so it’s wise to educate yourself before you shop.
We’ve got you covered when it’s time to make your shopping list. Here are eight of the best gluten-free soy sauce brands that taste great.
Why Choose Gluten-Free Soy Sauce?
Most traditional soy sauce contains gluten because wheat is one of the primary ingredients. Your typical soy sauce contains soy, wheat, salt, and water. It also often includes a form of Aspergillus mold, which drives the fermentation process. Soy sauce is fermented in breweries, like beer, and some brands contain a trace amount of alcohol.
Many people crave the rich, umami flavor of soy sauce, even when they avoid gluten. Therefore, many brands have developed products that eliminate this ingredient, letting diners enjoy the taste they yearn for free from unwanted side effects.
What Is Gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat that originates from two other proteins, glutenin, and gliadin, which join when exposed to water. It can trap air, much like a balloon, which causes bloating in individuals with gluten sensitivity. Strands of gluten form a membrane-like network that swallows gas bubbles, which is why yeast makes bread rise.
Gluten isn’t inherently “bad,” even though some people are sensitive to its effects. It provides structure to foods and acts as a binding agent. It also improves the flavor, texture, and moisture retention in many foods. Unfortunately for those with sensitivities, it exists in countless products, including vitamins and certain medications, forcing them to read labels carefully.
Why Are More People Today Gluten-Free?
People adopt gluten-free lifestyles for various reasons. Some do so because they have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack its own cells when exposed to gluten. Others have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which means they experience an allergic reaction, although they don’t experience the same cellular damage seen in celiac.
Some people believe that this rise in allergies stems not from gluten but the glyphosate used as a pesticide on many crops, which may cause dysbiosis by harming your gut bacteria. Either way, avoiding products with gluten eases their symptoms.
Choose Gluten-Free for Inclusivity
Fortunately, individuals with gluten sensitivities can still enjoy gluten-free soy sauce products. Choosing the best gluten-free soy sauce is a loving, inclusive act toward those with allergies or celiac disease. These folks have to be very careful when they eat out or at friends’ houses because it can be difficult to discern which ingredients are safe. Assuring them that you’ve chosen a gluten-free soy sauce puts their mind at ease and lets them dig in with the group.
What’s the Best Gluten-Free Soy Sauce? 8 of the Best and Why
What’s the best gluten-free soy sauce to add to your recipes and buffet tables? Here are eight brands, including their ingredient lists, so that you can make an educated choice.
1. San-J
San-J is the leader in the gluten-free soy sauce arena with its tamari — a premium Japanese soy sauce. The San-J formula is unique because it relies on 100% soybeans, not part soybeans and part wheat, like many other brands. They ferment these beans for up to six months before pressing them, allowing the beans to reach their peak flavor.
Eliminating wheat adds more richness to the overall taste — you get an even bigger umami punch. The Sato family began formulating soy sauce more than 200 years ago, so they have the knowledge and experience to create premium soy sauce and the delicious products to prove it.
Today, you can explore a full line of exciting offerings, including Organic Tamari Soy Sauce and Umami Tamari Splash. Your guests will wonder what the secret magic is, but it’s up to you if you spill the soybeans.
San-J also offers less-sodium options, including Tamari Lite 50% Less Sodium Soy Sauce, and Tamari 28% Less Sodium Soy Sauce.
Their standard Tamari Soy Sauce includes the following:
- Water
- Soybeans
- Salt
- Alcohol
What makes it special: 30% more umami flavor than typical soy sauces.
2. Bragg Liquid Aminos
Bragg Liquid Aminos claim to be better than soy sauce. This formula contains only two ingredients — vegetable protein from soybeans and water. It’s gluten-free, GMO-free, vegan, and kosher. It’s not fermented and is alcohol-free as well.
You can purchase a family-sized 128-ounce bottle, which can last a family of four for months. Add a bit to a pan to instantly add a burst of umami flavor to fish, chicken, beef, or stir-fries. Bottles also come in fridge-convenient 16-ounce and 32-ounce sizes.
Bragg Liquid Aminos also provide a gram of protein with each 5-calorie teaspoon serving. They contain zero carbohydrates and only 13% of your daily sodium — a fraction of what many soy sauce brands contain.
Ingredients include:
- Vegetable protein from soybeans.
- Water.
What makes it special: The tiny ingredients list and the lack of other allergens.
3. Kikkoman Gluten-Free
Kikkoman’s gluten-free premium soy sauce is also free from added preservatives, easing your fears about sketchy chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients in your food. It uses rice instead of wheat to produce a mild, smooth flavor that offers just the right amount of umami punch.
This brand is certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America. They use their age-old brewing process to preserve and enhance their flavors and have decades of experience in the United States.
Each tablespoon-sized serving contains 10 calories and only 1 gram of carbs. The fermentation process produces a small amount of alcohol. Refrigerating after opening preserves the fresh taste for up to a month.
Here’s the ingredients list:
- Water
- Soybeans
- Rice
- Salt
What makes it special: The rice alternative to wheat keeps the flavor mild.
4. La Choy Soy Sauce
The La Choy original recipe is gluten-free and adds umami spirit to countless dishes. Add two tablespoons to every pound of ground beef while making hamburgers. Add a single tablespoon to soups, stews, sauces, and gravies, or mix it with butter and lemon juice to add an interesting flavor to your next fish filet.
This sauce contains two ingredients that may concern purists. Corn syrup is a frequent substitute for sugar that can affect blood glucose levels. Caramel coloring is present in many foods, such as sodas, but it is a controversial ingredient. However, both are deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration, and many people consume them in moderation without problems.
Check out the ingredients list:
- Water
- Corn syrup
- Hydrolyzed soy protein
- Salt
- Caramel color
- Potassium sorbate (preservative)
What makes it special: It’s slightly sweeter than your typical soy sauce.
5. Coconut Secret
Coconut Secret’s line of coconut aminos is another gluten-free soy sauce substitute. Instead of using unfermented soybeans, they rely on coconut tree sap as one of their primary ingredients. Those who try it swear it tastes identical to soy sauce.
Many people turn to coconut aminos if they are allergic to soy, which is one of the most common food allergens. It’s a great alternative for those with multiple food sensitivities. Although it is slightly sweeter in flavor than traditional soy sauce, it still delivers a solid umami punch.
Coconut aminos are also considerably lower in sodium than many traditional soy sauce formulas. A single tablespoon of Coconut Secret provides only 12% of your Percent Daily Value, a fraction of many other brands.
Here’s the ingredients list:
- Organic coconut tree sap
- Sea salt
What makes it special: It’s low in sodium and free of common allergens.
6. Lee Kum Kee
The Lee Kum Kee brand prides itself on bringing out the flavor of authentic Chinese cuisine in their products, including their gluten-free soy sauce. It’s made from non-GMO soybeans using traditional methods.
What sets this brand apart is its use of cornstarch as a thickening agent. It replaces wheat and adds a bit of body to the sauce. Still, the sauce contains only 2 grams of carbs and 1 gram of added sugar. Each tablespoon-sized serving contains only 15 calories and provides 1 gram of protein.
Lee Kum Kee doesn’t add artificial preservatives, either. Their gluten-free soy sauce comes in various sizes, from 16.9-ounce bottles for home use to full pails for those in the restaurant industry.
Here’s what’s in this sauce:
- Water
- Soybeans
- Salt
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
What makes it special: The use of corn starch adds a hearty thickness.
7. Ohsawa Wheat Free Tamari Soy Sauce
If it’s tradition you crave, it’s Ohsawa you need. The Deguchi family produces this wheat-free tamari soy sauce in Japan, using the methods they have passed down for generations.
The alcohol in this recipe comes from sake, which contains the same Aspergillus oryzae listed among the other ingredients. Its light fermentation makes the umami flavor pop. Sake is a rice wine, keeping this formula free of pesky gluten.
Like other tamari soy sauces, its sodium content is low. Each 1 teaspoon serving contains 5 calories, 1 gram of protein, and 1 gram of carbohydrates.
The ingredients list looks like this:
- Organic whole soybeans
- Water
- Sea salt
- Organic distilled sake
- Aspergillus oryzae
What makes it special: The sake enhances the umami flavor for a full-bodied punch.
8. Sempio Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
Sempio gluten-free soy sauce is SQF-certified, a global food safety and quality certification program operating in 40 countries. You can feel good about what you serve your loved ones because each bottle contains exactly what it describes.
This sauce is light and savory with a clean aftertaste. Add it during any stage of cooking, from marinating to plating. Although it contains 41% of your recommended daily sodium intake, it’s much lower than you’d get from a similar amount of table salt.
Sempio uses only non-GMO soybeans and high-quality sea salt. Each bottle lasts up to two years before opening.
Ingredients include:
- Water.
- Soybeans.
- Sea salt.
- Alcohol.
What makes it special: The attentiveness to care in the quality of their ingredient selection.
Creative Ways to Use Gluten-Free Soy Sauce and Bonus Recipes
You can use soy sauce to add an umami punch to nearly any dish. The acidity helps to tenderize meat, so add it to your marinades for steak, pork, and chicken. Is that chutney a bit too sweet? A touch of salty, earthy soy can balance out the flavor.
Choose your favorite from this list of the best gluten-free soy sauces and whip up these recipes.
Steak Stir-Fry
For this steak stir-fry, start by cutting 1 pound of flank steak into strips and marinating it for 30 minutes in 2 tablespoons of gluten-free soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of sherry cooking wine.
Meanwhile, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to a skillet and cook 2 medium yellow onions, slivered, until they’re golden brown. Add 1 more tablespoon of soy sauce to the onions and place them in a bowl. Add the steak to the skillet and cook to the desired doneness before adding the onions back in. Serve topped with green onions.
5-Ingredient Orange Crockpot Chicken
To make this orange crockpot chicken, cut 4-5 chicken breasts into 1-inch strips and cook for 1 ½ hours on high. Drain the chicken and return it to the crockpot.
Combine 1 cup of BBQ sauce, ¾ cup orange marmalade, and 2 tablespoons of gluten-free soy sauce, and pour the mixture over the chicken. Let it cook for an additional 1 ½ hours on high before topping with green onions and sesame seeds to serve.
What’s the Best Gluten-Free Soy Sauce?
Discovering the best gluten-free soy sauce opens new culinary doors. You can feel good about what you serve and reassure guests with sensitivities that you take their needs into account. Add an umami punch to your next meal with one of these best gluten-free soy sauce brands.
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