Hoisin Sauce vs Oyster Sauce:
Which Is Gluten-Free?
Two thick, dark sauces used all over Chinese cooking. Both are usually made with wheat, and both come in separate gluten-free bottles. The label is how you tell them apart.
Only after one of them? Is Hoisin Sauce Gluten-Free? or Is Oyster Sauce Gluten-Free?
Heads up: both Hoisin Sauce and Oyster Sauce typically contain gluten — see the safe alternatives below.
Verdicts last reviewed July 2026 · based on FDA gluten-free labeling rules and Celiac Disease Foundation guidance
Heads up: both Hoisin Sauce and Oyster Sauce typically contain gluten — see the safe alternatives below.
Hoisin Sauce
No. Regular hoisin is made with wheat flour — Lee Kum Kee lists wheat as an allergen. Its separate Gluten-Free Hoisin Sauce is the safe swap.
Watch out for:
- Peking duck and moo shu
- Char siu (Chinese BBQ pork) glazes
- Pho and spring roll dipping sauces
Oyster Sauce
No. Most oyster sauce is thickened with wheat flour and contains gluten. Gluten-free oyster sauce is available from a few brands.
Watch out for:
- Usually thickened with wheat flour
- A hidden gluten source in stir-fries and noodle dishes
- Restaurant dishes rarely disclose it
Gluten-free swaps
Instead of Hoisin Sauce:
Instead of Oyster Sauce:
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