Why We Use Xanthan Gum — And Why We're Still the Cleanest Burrito in the Freezer Aisle

When we set out to create our signature grain-free tortilla, we had one non-negotiable: it had to work. No cracking. No breaking. No sad, dry wraps. After more than 50 recipe tests using every grain-free flour blend you can imagine, we found one small addition made a big difference — xanthan gum.

What Is Xanthan Gum, Anyway?

Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide made by fermenting sugar with a bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris — the same way kombucha, yogurt, or sourdough starter is created. It acts as a binder and stabilizer, especially helpful in gluten-free and grain-free baking where structure is hard to achieve.

It’s used in many clean and organic products, but we know it’s a bit controversial in certain wellness circles — so let’s break it down.

Is Xanthan Gum “Clean”?

Here’s the short answer: for most people, yes. According to research and health experts like Dr. Axe, xanthan gum is generally recognized as safe and well-tolerated in small amounts. That said, some individuals with particularly sensitive guts or allergies may choose to avoid it — and we respect that.

So why did we choose to include it?

Because with less than 1 gram per tortilla, xanthan gum allows us to create a tortilla that feels like the real thing — soft, flexible, and ready to wrap without tearing. That’s something most grain-free tortillas simply can’t do.

The Big Picture: It’s Still the Cleanest Convenience Food on the Market

Here’s what’s also inside our burritos:

• Regeneratively raised, pasture-raised meats from local farms

• Organic vegetables and spices

• No seed oils, preservatives, or refined sugars

• Zero gluten, grains, or gums in the fillings

• Handcrafted in small batches — not mass-produced in a food lab
  

We’re deeply committed to sourcing the highest-quality ingredients possible, and using xanthan gum — in a trace amount — allows us to deliver on taste, texture, and function without compromising our clean label values.

Our Promise

We’ll always be honest with you about what’s in our food and why. We’re not trying to be perfect — we’re trying to be real. And real food that works with your life is what we’re here to deliver.

Stay Free,

The Stees Fam 🫶