Adding sauces to your meals requires quality condiment staples, but not all sauces suit different lifestyles and dietary needs. For people avoiding gluten, GMOs and animal byproducts, any sauce that’s not wheat-free, non-GMO and vegan is off the table.
Luckily, several brands offer gluten-free sauces and vegan condiments that skip genetically modified ingredients. Whether craving that rich umami flavor or a fiery bite, these brands have you covered without compromising your food preferences.
1. San-J
With soy sauce-making expertise backed by eight generations of experience, San-J is an authority in delicious sauces. The brand’s flagship product is the Tamari Soy Sauce, brewed from only soybeans, with no added wheat for fermentation. It is 30% richer in umami flavor than most soy sauces, and it’s one of their vegan, Kosher, GMO-free sauces that’s also FODMAP-friendly.
San-J’s unique flavoring results from its 200-year-old perfected Japanese fermentation techniques. Every product meets strict standards and the highest quality and safety requirements. San-J is the first sauce company to get a prestigious non-GMO verification from the non-GMO Project, and the brand is proud of its strict use of only natural ingredients.
San-J’s other qualifying products for gluten-free, vegan individuals who prefer non-GMO products include Tamari Lite 50% Less Sodium Soy Sauce Gluten Free, Organic Tamari Soy Sauce Gluten Free, Tamari 28% Less Sodium Soy Sauce Gluten Free, Organic Tamari 25% Less Sodium Soy Sauce Gluten Free, and Organic Tamari Soy Sauce Gluten Free. The Thai Peanut Sauce is also a tasty alternative to soy-based condiments and delicious on roasted meats or salad greens or as a dip for spring rolls.
2. Ocean’s Halo
If soy allergies are ruining your taste adventures, try Ocean’s Halo’s No Soy Soy-Free Sauce. With seaweed as the main ingredient, the condiment is soy-free, gluten-free, vegan and one of the tastiest GMO-free sauces. The other key ingredient is mushroom, resulting in a slightly sweeter umami flavor profile. This brand ticks a significant eco-conscious block without compromising on taste.
The sauce is ideal for stir-fries, marinades and dipping, thanks to the slight saltiness. Ocean’s Halo also has a low-sodium version of the sauce with the same great taste.
3. Huy Fong Foods
Huy Fong Food’s naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly chili and sriracha blends are a perfect alternative to soy-based condiments for a fiery kick. The main ingredients in the Hot Sriracha Chili Sauce are sun-ripened chilies, garlic, salt and vinegar. The condiment includes no gluten or animal products and is soy-free. Sriracha has a smooth, sweet heat, while the garlic version has more texture and a garlicky flavor.
The company’s story began when founder David Tran started selling hot sauce in the 1980s after coming to the U.S. from Vietnam. He sold his family recipe sauces to local restaurants. His sauces are now global favorites, often featured next to tamari in household kitchens.
The company’s products include pure, naturally wheat-free and vegan sauces. Huy Fong Food’s spicy-sweet accompaniments bring heat and perfectly complement rice bowls, tofu and other dishes. You can combine it with tamari to add complexity to the umami flavor.
4. Wan Ja Shan
Wan Ja Shan is a Taiwan-founded, New York-based company that offers several organic sauces brewed using traditional methods. Not all of its products qualify or meet the demand of being gluten-free, non-GMO and vegan. However, the Organic Tamari Gluten Free and Organic Tamari Gluten Free Less Sodium sauces perfectly suit health-sensitive individuals.
Wan Ja Shan condiments have longer brewing periods to mature the flavor and complexity of the umami taste. Serve with noodle dishes and fried rice to add rich flavoring without overpowering subtle ingredients.
5. Chosen Foods
Mayonnaise is often off-limits to vegans, but Chosen Foods’ Vegan Mayo is perfect for those avoiding animal products. The tasty, gluten-free option is made with 100% pure avocado oil and is certified non-GMO. Avocados are a wholesome superfood that adds great nutritional value to any meal.
These vegan sauces are perfect for paleo and keto diets, and their creamy texture is a fantastic addition to sandwiches, aiolis, and potato or pasta salad. Mayonnaise can also be used in cakes to add a moist texture.
6. Ohsawa
If you have a refined palate, Ohsawa’s macrobiotics and raw tamari will hit the spot. The imported brand is one of Japan’s oldest soy sauce manufacturers, and each drop has a story to tell. Ohsawa’s Nama Shoyu Organic Soy Sauce uses aged organic soybeans in a centuries-old tradition that uses temperatures below 118 degrees Fahrenheit to retain the raw properties of the soybeans.
The condiment takes up to a year to make, and the organic bean blend ripens in cedarwood kegs for unpasteurized, naturally fermented raw soy. The resulting product is 100% gluten-free, non-GMO and vegan.
The slightly higher selling point justifies the intensive production craft, making it a perfect choice for those who value that novel umami taste that’s on par with fine-aged wine.
7. Coconut Secret
Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos is a coconut-based condiment with a sweet-tangy profile. The products are ideal for dipping and mixing into salad dressings. These exotic dressings are also a favorite with those on paleo and keto diets.
Qualifying Coconut Secret products include Coconut Aminos Original Seasoning Sauce — which is soy-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, certified organic and GMO-free — and Coconut Aminos Garlic Sauce. It’s Infused with garlic, free of all common allergens and features the same properties as the seasoning sauce but includes an additional flavor boost.
8. Maya Kaimal
Maya Kaimal’s Spicy Vindaloo Indian Simmer Sauce is vegan, non-GMO certified and gluten-free to meet all your health needs. The curry sauce contains coconut and chili for a dynamic flavor profile that perfectly fits Portuguese and Indian foods. It does come with a kick, so be warned if you prefer more mild flavors.
To prepare a meal with the Vindaloo sauce, simply saute your vegetables in it, cook through and then serve with flatbread or pasta for a health-conscious meal solution. Vegetables like eggplant or mushrooms make great choices.
9. Hoboken Farms
Let out your inner Italian and dive into Hoboken Farms’ delicious Basil Marinara, which is non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and cholesterol-free. Choose between the low-sodium or original options and serve it on almost anything. The wholesome ingredients include tomatoes, pure olive oil, fresh garlic, onion, sea salt, basil and additional spices.
The herby taste is healthy and low carb. Pair it with pasta, lasagna, pizza or cooked vegetables. You can also add it to a vegan cheese sandwich or use it as a dip for potato crisps, vegan mozzarella sticks or onion rings. If you’re making vegan meatballs from ingredients like chickpeas, walnuts, lentils or tofu, this marinara sauce will take your dish to the next level.
10. The Wizard’s Sauce
The Wizard’s Sauce’s Organic Gluten Free Vegan Worcestershire Sauce is an organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, fully plant-based version of traditional Worcestershire sauce. It’s a perfect addition to any meal and a great base for cooking gravy, chili, soups, stews and stuffings.
Tamari and apple cider vinegar are at the heart of this tasty condiment. The full-bodied flavor is a bold addition to any meal, and it’s perfect over roasted vegetables or meats. This vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce is also low in sodium and ideal for keto, paleo and Kosher diets.
11. Sauce Grandmaster
Add some sweet dimension to your tofu or tempeh with Sauce Grandmaster’s Gluten Free Oyster Sauce. Despite the sweet taste, it contains little sugar and uses raw ingredients for maximum flavor.
The brand proudly caters to the gluten-free market with freshly harvested, mature matsutake mushrooms as the main ingredient in this classic condiment. Serve it on noodles, use it as a salt alternative in cooking or drizzle on vegetables for extra flavor.
What to Look for on a Label
Not every sauce meets all dietary needs. Make sure your taste buds enjoy guilt-free and health-conscious pleasure by checking that labels indicate the product is:
- Gluten-free: Look for certification with a medical or international certification body. You can also check the ingredient list to confirm the product is 100% gluten-free, containing no added wheat or gluten.
- Non-GMO: The best options will proudly show off a Non-GMO Project or USDA Organic seal.
- Vegan: Avoid products made with bonito flakes, honey, eggs or other animal-derived ingredients.
Gluten-Free Sauces for Health-Conscious Foodies
When dealing with allergies, blood sugar concerns, dietary restrictions or health-conscious lifestyle preferences that require avoiding gluten and animal products, add non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan sauces to your basket for regret-free meals.
These sauces contain herbs, spices and unique ingredients like cashews and avocados. From umami and tangy to spicy and buttery, each product adds a unique flavor to every meal.
Whether you choose heritage tamari, a seaweed alternative, chili or mayo, brand and label awareness will ensure you enjoy the flavor responsibly without harming your health.
This article appears in April 2025.