Is seitan gluten-free? No, seitan is made from wheat gluten

No. Seitan is made from wheat gluten, the protein washed out of wheat flour. It’s close to pure gluten and not suitable for coeliac (celiac) disease.

Where it turns up

• Vegan and vegetarian menus: seitan steaks, “wheat meat”, vegan kebab and some plant-based burgers and sausages.
• Chinese and Buddhist vegetarian cooking: mock duck and mock meats are often seitan (wheat gluten).
• Ingredient lists: “wheat gluten” or “vital wheat gluten”.

Plant-based doesn’t mean gluten-free. Tofu and tempeh are usually the gluten-free protein options; ask how they’re seasoned.

Keep reading

• The Hidden-Gluten Watchlist: the 15 forbidden names and the ones to check
• Is vegan food gluten-free?
• Is tofu gluten-free?
• Is tempeh gluten-free?

Sources: Coeliac UK, EU Regulation 1169/2011 and 828/2014, Codex Alimentarius (gluten-free = 20 mg/kg or less). We inform, we don’t diagnose: for medical questions, your doctor or dietitian has the last word.