In this menu guide, I’ll highlight all the gluten free menu items, sides, and other gluten-free options available at Panda Express.
I will also address any common questions asked when ordering gluten free off the Panda Express menu.
In addition I’ll include some copycat Panda Express gluten free orange chicken recipes you can make at home.
Panda Express is an American fast food chain serving American Chinese cuisine.
Known for their delicious orange chicken, Panda Express has thousands of locations all across the United States. This makes Panda Express the largest Asian restaurant chain in the US!
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Panda Express History
Panda Express was founded in October 1983 in the United States. The original proprietors were Andrew and Peggy Cherng. Currently, the company is headquartered in the township of Rosemead, California, their goal being to draw people together to enjoy the best of americanized Chinese food in an enjoyable atmosphere.
Apart from Panda Express’ Orange Chicken thanks to their chef Andy Kao , the chain also serves plenty of other Asian inspired signature dishes. Those dishes include Kung Pao Chicken, Beijing Beef, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, and Firecracker Chicken Breast.
There are also combo meals that can be served together with various sides from their sides section such as egg rolls, white rice, fried rice, brown rice, chow mein, steamed rice or mixed vegetables.
As per Panda Express’s Website, no artificial additives are added to Panda Express meals and each signature dish uses natural ingredients.
The company also does not purchase ingredients from suppliers who add enhancers such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) prior to delivery.
Why is Panda Express not gluten free?
If you have Celiac disease or are very gluten sensitive, it’s probably best to avoid Panda Express due to cross contamination concerns.
The majority of food items on the menu contain wheat or wheat ingredients.
Panda Express Gluten Free Menu Options
While there isn’t a separate Panda Express allergen menu for those with celiac disease or eating a gluten-free diet, the good news is Panda Express does feature naturally gluten-free dishes and sauces.
However its important to know none of these dishes can or should substitute as a gluten-free meal.
Now onto the gluten-free items found on the menu!
Side Dishes
These are the only menu items that are gluten-free.
Sauces
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Chili Sauce
- Hot Mustard Sauce
- Plum Sauce
Drinks
- All of the fountain drinks are gluten-free!
These are the only gluten-free options found on the Panda Express Menu.
To view menu nutrition details and allergen listings on the above list (the entirety of food found on their menu) click here.
Common questions asked when ordering gluten-free at Panda Express!
No. Panda prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any entree. So fried rice from Panda Express is not gluten-free.
No. Panda Express prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any entree. So teriyaki chicken from Panda Express is not gluten-free.
No. Panda Express prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any entree. So kung pao chicken from Panda Express is not gluten-free.
No. Panda Express prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any entree. So honey walnut shrimp from Panda Express is not gluten-free.
No. Panda Express prepares its appetizers fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any appetizer. So spring rolls from Panda Express are not gluten-free.
No. Panda Express prepares its side dishes fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any side dish. So chow mein from Panda Express is not gluten-free.
No. Panda Express uses uses only 100% pure soybean oil in the preparation of recipes.
Is Panda Express Orange Chicken Gluten Free?
Is Panda Express orange chicken gluten free?
Quick Answer: No, Panda Express Orange Chicken is not gluten free as the orange chicken recipe contains wheat flour.
Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe Alternatives
If you are on a gluten free diet and can’t eat the Panda Express orange chicken try making one of these super tasty recipes!
Gluten-Free Chinese Fast Food Chains Alternatives
PF Changs
In this menu guide, I’ll highlight all the gluten-free options at P.F. Chang’s.
I will also address any common questions asked when ordering gf options off P.F. Chang’s menu.
In addition I’ll include copycat recipes you can make at home.
Pei Wei
Another Asian American fast food chain that offers gluten-free menu items is Pei Wei.
Pei Wei’s gluten free foods include:
- Asian chopped chicken garden fresh salad
- spicy Pei Wei chicken
- spicy Pei Wei shrimp
- spicy chicken and shrimp
- sweet and sour chicken
- sweet and sour shrimp
- Vietnamese chicken salad rolls
- traditional edamame.
However, if you’re gluten-sensitive or have celiac disease, ask if gluten-free food items are prepared in the same kitchen space as gluten-containing foods.
What’s Keto At Panda Express?
In this menu guide, I’ll be highlighting the best things you can order when you are eating keto at Panda Express.
From sides to the main courses, there are many low-carb options to choose from at the most well-known fast food Chinese restaurant in the United States.
Sources
- https://www.pandaexpress.com/nutritioninformation
- https://www.pandaexpress.ca/en/menu/entrees/kung-pao-chicken
- https://s3.amazonaws.com/PandaExpressWebsite/files/IngredientList.pdf
- https://www.vegknowledge.com/vegan/are-fortune-cookies-vegan/#:~:text=Panda%20Express&text=The%20package%20also%20notes%20that,due%20to%20possible%20cross%20contamination.
- https://s3.amazonaws.com/PandaExpressWebsite/files/IngredientList.pdf
- https://www.pfchangs.com/menu/gluten-free
- http://www.peiwei.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nutrition-info.pdf
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