Is couscous gluten-free?
Couscous is not gluten-free. Despite looking like a tiny grain, traditional couscous is actually small pasta balls rolled from semolina wheat flour. Celiacs should avoid all standard couscous. Safe substitutes include quinoa, rice, cauliflower rice, and specialty gluten-free couscous made from corn or sorghum.
When it's safe
- The package specifically says "gluten-free couscous" (made from corn or sorghum — rare but available)
- You're using a substitute: quinoa, rice, millet, or cauliflower rice
When to avoid it
- The label says "couscous," "Israeli couscous," or "pearl couscous" without a GF claim
- The product is whole-wheat, semolina, or durum couscous
Not sure about a specific product?
GF Scanner is an iOS app that scans barcodes and ingredient labels to detect gluten in seconds. It's free to download, includes 1 free barcode scan and forever-free offline ingredient-label text scanning, and offers a free trial for Pro barcode scanning and AI analysis. It works on packaged foods worldwide and supports 33 languages.
Download FreeFrequently asked questions
Is Israeli couscous gluten-free?
No. Israeli couscous (also called pearl couscous or ptitim) is toasted semolina pasta — it contains wheat and gluten.
What can I use instead of couscous?
Quinoa, rice, millet, or cauliflower rice work well in most couscous recipes. BFree and similar brands make gluten-free "couscous" from corn and sorghum.