Best Gluten Free Deli Meat Brands to Buy!

Sandwiches are a staple meal in most households, which means deli meat is a staple in most households too. If you follow a gluten free diet you probably want to know if deli meat is gluten free and which are the best gluten free deli meat brands to buy.

There is plenty of gluten free lunch meat available, but not all of it is gluten free. Carefully choosing cold cuts, and paying attention to where and how they are prepared is important.

Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the best gluten free deli meat, and which brands are the best to buy. You can also use the table of contents to jump straight to information about your favorite brand.

The gluten-free guide below is based on personal experience and research.  Always be sure to discuss any medical changes with your doctor for your personal medical needs. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My full disclosure isn’t that interesting, but you can find it here. 

Is deli meat gluten free?

If you follow a gluten free diet and enjoy deli meat, the good news is that there are plenty of gluten free options available. The bad news is that just like with other meats, such as sausage or bacon you still have to be very careful when selecting deli meat to ensure that it is gluten free.

Deli meat is precooked or cured meat that is typically sliced for sandwiches or other dishes. In general, meat is usually gluten free as it doesn’t contain wheat, rye or barley which are the main gluten containing ingredients.

Even though meat is naturally gluten free, unfortunately it doesn’t automatically mean that all deli meat is gluten free. There are two main reasons why deli meat may not be gluten free. It can end up containing gluten either from added ingredients or from cross contact.

Additives, fillers or flavorings are often added to meat products. Sometimes they are added to help increase a product’s shelf life and other times they are used to add flavor. Whatever the reason, it is possible for these additives to contain gluten which means the deli meat then contains gluten too. 

The other reason deli meat may contain gluten is because of cross contact. This is especially relevant to cold cuts because by definition cold cuts have to be cut (well sliced, but you get the point).

Cross contact is what happens when equipment, such as a meat slicer, is also used to process ingredients that contain gluten. For Celiacs even the tiniest amount of gluten can cause problems, and this becomes a significant possibility in a deli where the slicers are constantly coming into contact with different types of meat. 

How do I know if deli meat is gluten free?

The process for determining whether deli meat is gluten free is the same process as determining if any other food or ingredient is gluten free. Reading labels, checking ingredient lists and looking for certification are the best ways to figure out if a product is gluten free.

Determining how to properly read labels and understanding the difference between gluten free labeling and gluten free certification is very important.

When it comes to gluten free deli meat you’ll have to decide how comfortable you are with the potential risk of cross contact for meat that is otherwise gluten free. Delis that use separate equipment for slicing meat will be safer than those that don’t.

Always ask the person at the deli counter to clean the meat slicer prior to cutting your lunch meat as well, or choosing a deli that is entirely gluten free would be an even safer option. Alternatively you can choose a pre-packaged deli meat that is labeled or certified gluten free.

Can celiacs eat deli meat?

Yes, celiacs can eat gluten free deli meat. In order to determine whether the brand you’re considering is gluten free, be sure to look for gluten free labels or certification. This is great news for when you're craving the perfect sandwich or wanting to make delicious gluten free Charcuterie Cups.

Which brands of lunch meat are gluten-free and where can I buy them?

One of the best things about gluten free lunch meat is that it’s usually really easy to find! Typically your regular grocery store will carry a selection of gluten free cold cuts.

Amazon Whole Foods Market, GoPuff, and Thrive Market are other great options for buying gluten free foods like cold cuts. 

If you want to know more about how Thrive Market can save you money on a gluten-free diet check out my full review of Thrive Market here.

Mega Gluten Free Lunch Meat List:

These lunch meat brands have delicious gluten free options. Keep reading to learn more about them and where to buy them, or use shop this post to go right to them at a local retailer.

Olli Salumeria

If you’re looking for a high quality Italian style meat, the Olli Salumeria brand is an excellent gluten free option. I love that all of their meat is gluten free, so I know I can grab whichever one I feel like without worrying.

This deli meat is entirely preservative free, so there are plenty of reasons to feel great about choosing Olli Salumeria.

Buy an Olli Salumeria antipasti tray at GoPuff here.

Applegate Naturals Deli Meat

Applegate is a trusted name when it comes to gluten free meats, and their deli meat is no different. This brand comes prepackaged so there’s no concern of cross contact. There are plenty of options to choose from and I also love that I can buy the turkey in a family size option.

Applegate is a reliable brand that is sold through many retailers which makes it nice and easy to find.

Buy Applegate Naturals Deli Meat at Amazon Whole Foods Market here.

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Smoked Sliced Turkey Breast

Are you wondering ‘Is Oscar Mayer Gluten Free? If you are, you’ll be glad to know that many of their offerings including the Turkey Breast sandwich meat is labeled gluten free. It also has no artificial preservatives, no added hormones and no nitrates or nitrites added.

Be sure to check the ingredients list and look for gluten free labeling if you are considering another variety of Oscar Mayer deli meat. 

Add Oscar Mayer Deli Turkey to your next Walmart Pick-up order here.

Wellshire Farms Virginia Baked Ham

Wellshire Farms makes a variety of deli meats that are gluten free. I love that this brand has a very helpful database tool on their website for figuring out which of their products do not contain gluten. 

It’s also conveniently available through Amazon Whole Foods Market for quick and easy delivery here.

Hormel Natural Choice Sliced Deli Meat

If you like honey ham, oven roasted turkey or smoked ham, Hormel Natural Choice is a great brand choice. It’s minimally processed which I also love.

It contains no added nitrates or nitrites except for those naturally occurring in celery powder and sea salt, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives and no gluten.

Buy Hormel Natural Choice Sliced Deli Meat at Walmart here.

Prime Fresh Delicatessen by Smithfield

If Target is where you prefer to shop, you’ll be happy to know that the Prime Fresh Delicatessen deli meat is labeled gluten free. It comes in honey ham, smoked turkey, salami and oven roasted turkey.

Add Prime Fresh Delicatessen by Smithfield to your next Target pick-up order here.

Frequently asked questions about deli meat and gluten

Is there gluten free lunch meat at Walmart?

Yes! Walmart has a wide selection of gluten free lunch meat available. You can check out the gluten free deli meat options here.

Is all Boars Head deli meat gluten free?

According to their website, “all Boar’s Head Brand® meats, cheeses, hummus and condiments, as well as Hans Jurgen® Pickles, are Gluten Free. We always recommend reading product labels to check for any specific allergen concerns. Also, be sure to read the labels on any store prepared entrées or salads as these may have ingredients that contain gluten.”

Is Hillshire Farm deli meat gluten free?

On the FAQ section of their website, Hillshire Farms states “we follow truth in labeling policies on all our products. The top eight allergens required by the FDA (dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish) will always be listed in the “contains” section of the packaging.” 

Is there gluten free lunch meat at aldi?

Yes Aldi does have gluten free deli meat options like this Appleton Farms Gourmet deli selection.

Did you find this guide to the best gluten free deli meat brands helpful?

If so, comment below to let me know or share it on social media or Pinterest using the social sharing buttons so you can easily find it later!

Other Gluten Free Posts You’ll Love:

• Is Mustard Gluten Free?
• Is Mayonnaise Gluten Free?
• Is Cheese Gluten Free?
• The Best Gluten Free Potato Chips
• Gluten Free Lunch Ideas for Kids
• Zaftigs Delicatessen - A Gluten Free Restaurant Review