Are Refried Beans Gluten-Free?

Celiac.com 05/08/2021 - We get a lot of questions from celiac community members wondering if certain products are gluten-free. One question we see a lot is about refried beans. 

Specifically, are refried beans are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease?

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Most basic refried beans are just cooked pinto beans, lard, salt, distilled vinegar, spices, onion powder, garlic powder. 

So, in the pure sense refried beans are naturally gluten-free to start and are unlikely to contain gluten, unless gluten is added later in the manufacturing process. There are a couple of major brands that include "gluten-free" on their label, so if you have any concerns look for one of these.

We haven't seen or heard of any refried bean brands that include wheat ingredients. So, we regard refried beans as a food that is gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease.

As always, read labels, and allergen warnings, and avoid any ingredients that may include gluten.