Regular hot dog buns are made from wheat flour, so they’re not gluten-free. But what about the hot dogs themselves? Are they gluten-free? Let’s take a look.
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Ingredients In Hot Dogs
Hot dogs can be made with a variety of meats (and are often made with more than one meat), but the most common ingredients are:
- Meat trimming (pork and beef are the most common meats)
- Meat fat
- Flavorings (such as salt, garlic, paprika)
- Preservatives (usually sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite)
This list is by no means extensive, and sometimes additives can make their way into the list of ingredients. We’ll be taking a look at what those may be, later in this post.
Is There Gluten In Hot Dogs?
The answer is – sometimes. The gluten-free label of a hot dog changes from one company to another. This is because the ingredients in each brand can differ. So the only way to truly know is to check the label before making any purchases.
Hot dogs can contain fillers, flavorings and binders, and some of those (like wheat flour or breadcrumbs) contain gluten. It’s one of the classic spots for hidden gluten. And also there’s the possible risk of cross-contact. This is when a product does not contain any gluten ingredients, but due to the preparation and manufacturing methods with gluten-containing products, the end product may not be free from gluten.
This is why it’s best to choose hot dogs labeled “gluten-free.” That label means the product must contain less than 20 ppm of gluten under FDA rules.
What Hot Dogs Are Gluten-Free?
But if like me, you’re an avid hot dog fan, there’s no need to worry! There’s a huge selection of gluten-free hot dogs available. Many major brands label their franks gluten-free, but price isn’t a reliable guide, so always read the label.
Gluten-Free Hot Dogs
If you’re looking to fill your hot dog craving, look no further. Here’s a round-up of some of the best gluten-free hot dogs available. You may be surprised to see some of the most well-known hot dog sausage brands are actually gluten-free!
Dietz & Watson
Dietz & Watson labels its franks gluten-free on its product pages. Options have included:
- Franks
- Beef Franks
- Natural Casing New York Franks
The ingredients you’ll typically find in their beef franks are:
“Beef, Water, Contains 2% or less of: Salt, Sugar, Mustard Powder, Flavoring, Garlic Puree, Paprika, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite”.
No gluten in sight! However, it’s important to note that the company does produce some gluten-containing foods, so please do not assume that everything from Dietz and Watson is gluten-free, and always read the ingredients labels as ingredients can change at any time.
Sabrett
Sabrett posts an allergen chart on its website showing which products contain wheat. Their products have included:
- All Beef Frankfurter
- Hot and Spicy Frankfurter
- Hot Sausage
- Italian Sausage
- Pork and Beef Frankfurter
- Skinless Beef Cocktail Franks
- All Natural Skinless Beef Cocktail Franks
- Beef and Cheddar Skinless Beef Cocktail Franks
- Bratwurst Skinless Beef Cocktail Franks
- All Natural Uncured Beef Frankfurters
Skip their Cocktail Franks in Pastry, and check the allergen chart before buying anything else.
Bar S
Bar-S says its franks are gluten-free and suggests looking for the gluten-free label on the package. That covers:
- Classic Franks (classic, jumbo, bun length and red)
- Beef Franks (classic, jumbo and bun length)
- Turkey and Chicken Franks
- Signature Smokehouse Franks
- Cheese Franks
Their corn dogs have wheat in the batter and should not be eaten when following a gluten-free diet.
Some other brands to look at:
- Applegate – their hot dogs are labeled gluten-free
- Boar’s Head – the company says all its meats are gluten-free
- Kunzler, Nathan’s Famous and Wellshire Farms – check each package for a gluten-free label
Loading up your dog? Check our guides to ketchup and bacon, and see whether Premio sausage is gluten-free.
The Bottom Line
Most big-brand hot dogs are gluten-free, but not all, and the label is what counts. If you have celiac disease, stick with franks labeled gluten-free, and watch for shared grills and toasted buns when eating out.
As long as you’re checking labels regularly, and shopping “gluten-free” when you can, you’ll be able to enjoy hot dogs with ease. But hot dog buns are a different story!
Read more about: Sausage Gravy With Almond Milk
Sources: Dietz & Watson Beef Franks; Bar-S gluten FAQ; Boar’s Head gluten-free; FDA gluten-free labeling.
Club Gluten Free shares practical, well-researched guides to gluten-free ingredients, products, restaurants and recipes. We check manufacturer statements and celiac organization guidance, and update our guides when products change.