Is Beef Jerky Gluten-Free? Read the Soy Sauce Line

Often not. The usual reason is soy sauce: standard soy sauce is brewed with wheat, and it is the backbone of most jerky marinades. A bag is only gluten-free if the maker says so on the label. On this site that means the Whiskey Hill Trophy Series exotics and one beef bag; every Settlers label we have read says "Contains: Wheat, Soy."

Why jerky usually has wheat in it

Teriyaki, Korean BBQ, sweet garlic, whiskey BBQ: nearly every jerky flavor starts with soy sauce, and conventional soy sauce is fermented from soybeans and roasted wheat. Makers who want a gluten-free bag use tamari-style or specifically gluten-free soy sauce, and they say so in the ingredient list. That is exactly what the Trophy Series labels do; the wild boar and duck lists both read "Gluten Free Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol)."

The bags that are labeled gluten-free

Every Whiskey Hill Trophy Series exotic: gator, bison, elk, venison, wild boar, kangaroo and smoked duck breast, all labeled gluten-free with no fillers. One beef bag: the Jerky Hut Carolina Reaper Extremely Hot, whose description reads "no MSG, nitrates or gluten." Those bags carry a green gluten-free badge on their cards. The whole gluten-free set is easy to pull up with the Gluten-free filter on the shop page.

The bags that are not

The Settlers 7 oz bags, including the briskets, the chicken, the bacon and the tuna, all list soy sauce made with wheat and say "Contains: Wheat, Soy." The Jerky Hut Cowgirl lists wheat in its teriyaki sauce. For the other Jerky Hut label beef bags we have not confirmed a label claim, so they carry no badge. If you are cooking for someone with celiac disease, read the physical bag; we show the label text we have, but the bag in your hand is the authority. The maker-by-maker picture is on the Settlers and Whiskey Hill brand pages.

Quick answers

Which of your jerky is gluten-free?

The seven Whiskey Hill Trophy Series exotics (gator, bison, elk, venison, wild boar, kangaroo, duck) and the Jerky Hut Carolina Reaper Extremely Hot, all per their labels.

Is Settlers jerky gluten-free?

No. Every Settlers label we have read lists soy sauce brewed with wheat and says "Contains: Wheat, Soy."

Is jerky safe for celiac disease?

Only a bag whose label states gluten-free, and even then read the bag yourself. We are a reseller, not a lab, and shared facilities are the maker's call to disclose.

The bags in this guide

Build Your Hut Box · Shop all 26 bags · Call (518) 330-2629