Those following a strict gluten-free diet are no stranger to the constant search for gluten-free items through vigilant label reading. Unfortunately, sometimes we learn gluten might be lurking in certain food products, such as hydrolyzed wheat protein and certain spices, that we had never thought to check. Next time you grab for a container of paprika to add a dash of spice to your meal, you might find yourself wonder “Is this paprika gluten-free?”
Fresh Paprika is gluten-free. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for processed spices, such as paprika, to contain gluten as a result of being processed in a facility that also processes gluten products or have added flour to prevent the spices from clumping. The best gluten-free paprika brands are Thrive Market Organic Paprika and Simply Organic Ground Paprika.
For items such as this, it’s important to continue to read food labels, especially the allergen listing to ensure your spices and other foods have not been contaminated by gluten while in the factory. Let’s take a deeper look at paprika and how to find gluten-free paprika for your spice rack.
Contents
What is Paprika?
Made from dried and ground red peppers, paprika is a flavorful spice often used in savory dishes. The capsicum annuum pepper plant is used worldwide to create a variety of colors and flavors of paprika, including sweet, smoked, and hot. Belonging to the nightshade family, capsicum annuum is found in western tropical areas, such as Mexico, Central and South America [1].
With its vibrant red coloring, Oleoresin, extracted from paprika, acts as a coloring agent for various foods including meat, sausage, and other processed items. It is a common spice used in Hungarian cuisine as well as Spanish and Mexican cooking.
Is Paprika Healthy?
Paprika is rich in micronutrients and antioxidants which can help to fight against free radicals. High amounts of free radicals can result in cell damage that increases our chronic disease risk. Paprika is rich in carotenoids, the yellow, red, and orange coloring produced by plants and other living organisms. Most notably known for giving carrots their vibrant orange color, paprika is rich in the carotenoids beta carotene, capsanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. This is why paprika is a rich shade of red [2, 3, 4].
Paprika is also rich in vitamin A. A 1-tablespoon serving of paprika contains 167 micrograms of vitamin A, about 24% of the daily recommended intake for women and 19% for men. Vitamin A is a crucial component in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication. Paprika contains more vitamin C than citrus fruits, another compound that acts as an antioxidant [5, 6].
Many of the hot versions of paprika contain capsaicin, a compound reported to help reduce inflammation. Ongoing studies are linking possible roles of capsaicin in treating various conditions such as cancer, obesity, skin disorders and cardiovascular diseases in topical and high-dose supplement form [7].
With a variety of potential health applications along with a spicy and savory flavor profile, paprika is sometimes referred to as a “health-boosting” spice. It is incredibly versatile and easy to incorporate into a variety of dishes.
Does Paprika Contain Salt?
Some spice brands may add salt to their seasonings. Pure paprika contains a very minimal amount of natural sodium and would require a large amount of this spice to be impactful for those following a low-salt diet. Those looking to cut down on salt should always check the ingredient list on their seasonings and spices for added salt.
There are many brands of salt-free seasonings on the market, such as Mrs. Dash and My Salt Substitute. Popular brands of seasonings, such as Lawry’s and McCormick, have created lines of salt free seasonings for their consumers as desire to cut down on salt grows. You can also use other herbs and spices in place of salt, such as basil, dill, lemon juice and, of course, paprika to give flavor.
Nutrition Facts for Paprika
Ingredients:
- Paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Best Gluten-Free Paprika Brands
Thrive Market Organic Paprika
Gluten free, paleo, vegan, non-GMO and no added sugars, Thrive Market’s organic paprika is available for $4.99 for a 2.24-ounce bag on their website thrivemarket.com.
Ingredients:
- Organic paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Simply Organic Ground Paprika
Available on sites such as Thrive Market and Amazon for $5.48 for a 2.96-ounce container. Simply Organic ground paprika is also available at some popular grocers. It is certified organic, gluten-free and sustainably sourced.
Ingredients:
- Organic paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Frontier Culinary Spices Ground Paprika
$6.99 for a 1.69-ounce container, available on Amazon. Kosher, non-GMO, non-irradiated and gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Ground paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Nature’s Promise Organic Paprika
Vegan, gluten-free, kosher, available on FreshDirect for $3.99 for a 1.7-ounce container.
Ingredients:
- Organic paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Burlap & Barrel Smoked Pimenton Paprika
Gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegan, fair trade and environmentally friendly, Burlap and Barrell smoked pimento paprika is a great seasoning option for those with allergies and food intolerances. You can find this seasoning on hivebrands.com priced at $7.95 for 1.8-ounce container.
Ingredients:
- 100% Pimenton De La Vera DOP (Capsicum annuum)
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Pure Smoked Paprika
Pure smoked paprika is gluten-free, organic, and free of any preservatives, additives, fillers, or artificial colors. You can purchase this spice on Amazon at a price point of $7.99 for a 1-ounce bag.
Ingredients:
- Organic smoked paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
FreshJax Paprika Powder
This certified organic, ground paprika is gluten-free, certified kosher, vegan, keto, and paleo friendly and few of preservatives. You can find it online at FreshJax.com or Amazon.com at a price point of $11.99 for a 2.55-ounce container.
Ingredients:
- Organic ground paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Spice Village Paprika Powder
![Spices Village Paprika Powder (8 oz), Sweet, Flavorful Spice, Ground Paprika Seasoning made from Dried Red Peppers, Kosher, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Resealable Bulk Bag [Package may Vary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51kdeswI3fL._SL160_.jpg "Spices Village Paprika Powder (8 oz), Sweet, Flavorful Spice, Ground Paprika Seasoning made from Dried Red Peppers, Kosher, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Resealable Bulk Bag [Package may Vary]")
Spices village paprika powder is gluten-free, GMO-free, and certified kosher. You can find this spice powder on Amazon.com at a price point of $8.49 for a 1.06-ounce resealable bag.
Ingredients:
- 100% natural raw paprika powder
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Spicely Organic Paprika Powder
Spicely organic paprika powder is gluten-free, non-GMO, artificial coloring and preservative free, contains no salt, sugar, dairy, or tree nuts. It is available on Amazon.com or spicely.com at a price point of $5.88 for a 1.7-ounce bottle.
Ingredients:
- Organic paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Iya Foods Sweet Ground Paprika
Iya Foods sweet ground paprika is gluten-free, plant-based, non-GMO and vegan. You can find this spice on iyafoods.com or Amazon.com at a price point of $5.99 for a 2-ounce bag.
Ingredients:
- Red paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Related Questions
Is Paprika Low FODMAP?
Like many varieties of herbs and spices, paprika is considered a low FODMAP food. A low FODMAP diet is a diet that is low in the short chain carbohydrates -fermented oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These carbohydrates are not well absorbed in our digestive tract and are often used to help treat symptoms for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [8].
Is Paprika Bad for Dogs?
Although not technically toxic to your pup, paprika can result in gastrointestinal distress that is not good for your beloved pet. In fact, paprika has been used as a deterrent for certain animals because of its spiciness, such as those who often have cats going into their garden or squirrels in their flower beds.
Can You Be Allergic to Paprika?
Like many foods, some can develop an allergy to paprika. Often allergy symptoms are mild in nature and do not require any medical attention. However, a small number of individuals might experience serious symptoms such as anaphylaxis which requires emergency medical treatment. For those who are unsure if they have an allergy to paprika, or any food, and have experienced anaphylaxis in the past, are encouraged to get an allergy test.
What Does Paprika Taste Like?
There are different types of paprika that range from spicy to sweet in flavor. The most common type used in American cuisine is sweeter and fruitier with a hint of bitterness. Smoked paprika adds a little kick with a mild smokiness to foods.