Is soy sauce gluten free?

Sources disagree. The publishers we cite give different answers for soy sauce; both sides are shown below, in their own words. Packaged foods differ, so check the label of the product you buy.

What the sources tell us

Soy sauce is ordinarily made by fermenting a mixture of soybeans and wheat, the FDA explains, but some soy sauces are not made with wheat. Whether it is gluten-free depends on its ingredients and processing.[4]

Under FDA rules, soy sauce made from soybeans and wheat or another gluten-containing grain generally may not carry a gluten-free claim. One made without those grains can, and so can one made with a grain processed to remove gluten to below 20 ppm before fermentation. A labeled gluten-free soy sauce that lists wheat must also say the wheat was processed to meet FDA requirements.[4]

The publishers word it differently. The Gluten Intolerance Group says traditional soy sauce contains wheat and is not gluten-free, and it lists traditional soy sauce brewed with wheat among reliably gluten-containing ingredients. The Celiac Disease Foundation lists soy sauce among foods that may contain gluten, and the National Celiac Association says soy sauces often contain gluten.[9][10][5][11]

The sources point to tamari instead. The Celiac Disease Foundation notes that tamari made without wheat is gluten-free, and the Gluten Intolerance Group says tamari soy sauce gives the same taste and consistency as traditional soy sauce. For a bulgogi marinade or a Thai restaurant order, the group suggests confirming the sauce is gluten-free or asking for tamari instead.[5][9][8][6]

The GFCO list includes GF Soy Sauce from Kikkoman Foods, Inc., Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce from San-J International and Gluten Free Soy Sauce 500ml from Lee Kum Kee.[1][2][3]

Where the sources disagree

Contains gluten

"Soy sauce, a staple in many Asian dishes, traditionally contains wheat, therefore it is not gluten-free."

Gluten Intolerance Group · Contains gluten · gluten.org/2023/04/11/explore-asian-cuisine-gluten-free · fetched 2026-10-23

"Other Reliably Gluten-Containing Ingredients Soy sauce (traditional, brewed with wheat"

Gluten Intolerance Group · Contains gluten · gluten.org/2026/09/02/advanced-label-reading-tips · fetched 2026-10-23

Depends on the product

"Foods That May Contain Gluten ... Soy sauce (though tamari made without wheat is gluten-free)"

Celiac Disease Foundation · Depends · celiac.org/what-is-gluten/sources-of-gluten · fetched 2026-10-23

"It depends on the ingredients and processing of the soy sauce. Soy sauce is a food ordinarily made by fermenting ... soybeans and wheat."

FDA · Depends · www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/questions-and-answers-gluten-free-food-labeling-final-rule · fetched 2026-10-23

"Soy sauce ( shoyu ) is a condiment that contains wheat unless otherwise noted. Use a gluten-free version or tamari instead."

Gluten Intolerance Group · Depends · gluten.org/2021/10/21/japanese-cuisine-when-youre-eating-gluten-free · fetched 2026-10-23

"Ask for tamari instead of soy sauce to avoid the gluten present in most soy sauces."

Gluten Intolerance Group · Depends · gluten.org/2021/08/15/exploring-thai-cuisine-on-a-gluten-free-diet · fetched 2026-10-23

"The marinade includes soy sauce so you should confirm its gluten-free status or substitute the soy sauce with tamari."

Gluten Intolerance Group · Depends · gluten.org/2022/03/07/gluten-free-korean-cuisine · fetched 2026-10-23

"Soy products that often contain gluten include: Soy sauces Teriyaki sauce Miso"

National Celiac Association · Depends · nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/are-soy-products-ok-to-eat-when-you-have-celiac-disease · fetched 2026-10-23

Certified gluten-free alternatives

Products on the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) list. Each links to its GFCO listing. A product counts as certified only when its package also carries the GFCO mark.

GF Soy Sauce (Kikkoman Foods, Inc.)

GFCO certified GFCO listing

Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce (San-J International)

GFCO certified GFCO listing

Gluten Free Soy Sauce 500ml (Lee Kum Kee)

GFCO certified GFCO listing

Sources