Best Natural Red Food Coloring for Baking Comparison

Looking for the best natural red food coloring for baking? I tested beet powder, hibiscus, and plant-based dyes in a gluten-free red velvet mug cake to see which replaces Red Dye 3 and Red 40 best. Plus, learn how to make homemade red food dye from beets and radishes for vibrant, dye-free desserts!

A natural red food color comparison with three red velvet mug cakes.

Red velvet cake, royal icing, and even ice cream all rely on bold red hues to make them visually stunning. But if you’re like me, you’re always looking for natural food dyes instead of artificial colors that come with health concerns. So, I did an experiment with my gluten-free red velvet mug cake with almond flour to compare three different natural red food coloring options: beet powder, hibiscus powder, and plant-based red food dye. The results? Each had its own strengths, weaknesses, and unique uses. Let’s break it down!

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Why Avoid Artificial Red Food Dyes?

In January 2025, the FDA announced it will revoke authorization for FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. This means that many common grocery store products, like candies, frostings, and baked goods, will need reformulating. If you rely on store-bought food coloring, now is the perfect time to explore natural alternatives. in food and ingested drugs. This decision, based on the Delaney Clause of the FD&C Act, follows studies indicating that Red No. 3 caused cancer in laboratory rats when exposed to high levels. While similar effects have not been observed in humans, the FDA is still moving forward with the ban, requiring manufacturers to reformulate their products by January 2027 (FDA, 2025).

Before we explore natural alternatives, it’s essential to understand the concerns surrounding artificial dyes like Red Dye 3 and Red Dye 40, commonly found in many grocery store items. Studies have linked these synthetic dyes to health issues. For instance, research indicates that Red Dye 3 can increase oxidative stress, which is associated with various health problems.pbs.org Additionally, Red Dye 40 has been observed to cause DNA damage and colonic inflammation in animal studies. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Due to these concerns, regulatory bodies are reevaluating the safety of these additives. For example, the FDA recently announced a ban on Red Dye 3 in food and ingested drugs, citing its carcinogenic potential. pbs.org Given these findings, opting for natural food colorings is a prudent choice to achieve vibrant hues in your baked goods without the associated health risks.

My Experiment: Testing Natural Red Food Coloring in Red Velvet Mug Cake

I tested three natural red food coloring options in my Gluten-Free Red Velvet Mug Cake Recipe, all sourced from Amazon, to see which provided the most vibrant color and the best results. Here’s what I found:

A red velvet mug cake made with red beet fruit powder.

Red Beet Root Powder

  • What is it? A fine powder made from dehydrated beets. Red beet powder and beet root powder are the same thing as long as there aren’t any additional ingredients.
  • How is it used? Mix into the dry ingredients or dissolve in hot water for a stronger color.
  • Taste? Has a slight beet scent but is hardly noticeable in cake batter.
  • Best hack: Adding 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the batter enhances the red pigment.
  • Final product: Produced the most vibrant shades and looked closest to traditional red food dye.
A red velvet mug cake made with liquid red radish juice concentrate.

Red Radish Plant-Based Red Food Coloring

  • What is it? A liquid dye made from red radish juice concentrate.
  • How is it used? Add directly to cake batter, whipped cream, royal icing, or even gum paste.
  • Taste? Mild, slightly sweet due to the small amount of invert sugar.
  • Final product: Gave a bold color, but the liquid base made the batter slightly more runny. Best for light frosting and pint of frosting applications rather than baking.
A red velvet cake made with red hibiscus flower powder.

Hibiscus Powder

  • What is it? A natural colorant derived from dried hibiscus flowers.
  • How is it used? Best dissolved in a small saucepan with tablespoons of water before adding to batter or frosting.
  • Taste? Slightly tart, with a fruity undertone. Works well in homemade food coloring for cookie dough and cut-out cookies.
  • Final product: Created a deep, reddish-purple hue rather than bright red. Perfect for easter eggs or freeze-dried fruit applications.

Other Natural Alternatives for Red Food Coloring

Beetroot Juice & Beet Juice Concentrate

If you don’t have beet powder, you can make beetroot juice by simmering sliced beets in a cup of water over medium heat. Strain the liquid, and you have a natural food coloring for red frosting, birthday party cakes, and wedding cakes. Beet juice concentrate works similarly but is more potent.

Pomegranate Juice

With its plethora of essential vitamins, pomegranate juice provides a natural alternative to artificial dyes. However, it can be too runny for high-heat applications like baking.

Red Cabbage or Purple Cabbage

Surprisingly, red cabbage (when mixed with baking soda) can turn reddish. However, it tends to shift colors depending on pH levels, which makes it unpredictable for baking.

Annatto Extract & Spirulina Extract

Annatto extract gives a bright yellow hue but can be blended with red ingredients to create different vibrant food colors. Spirulina extract is sometimes used in combination with other vegetable powders to create unique colors.

How to Make Your Own Natural Red Food Coloring

Want to go completely DIY? Try these methods:

Homemade Beet Food Coloring

  1. Chop 2-3 medium-sized beets and place them in a small saucepan.
  2. Add a cup of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  3. Let cook until water reduces by half, then strain.
  4. Use the liquid as a natural dye for icing sugar, whipped cream, or cookie dough.

Radish-Based Red Food Coloring

  1. Grate 2 large red radishes and squeeze out the juice.
  2. Combine with citric acid or sodium citrate to preserve the color.
  3. Store in a sealed container and use it in final product applications.

My Favorite Gluten-Free Red Velvet Desserts Using Natural Red Food Coloring

If you love red velvet and want to bake without artificial dyes, here are three of my favorite gluten-free red velvet dessert recipes, all using natural red food coloring:

Try one (or all three!) and see just how easy and delicious baking with natural food dyes can be!

Conclusion: What’s the Best Natural Red Food Coloring for Baking?

Three red velvet cakes side-by-side made with red fruit beet powder, liquid radish concentrate, and red hibiscus powder.

For the most vibrant color, beet powder is your best bet. It works exceptionally well in cake batter and dense baked goods, whereas hibiscus powder is great for frostings and beverages. It blends well into cake batter and gives a bold red color with minimal flavor impact. If you need a healthy alternative for light frostings and icings, the 365 Everyday Value liquid food coloring works well but may add much liquid to the batter. For a deep, purplish hue, hibiscus powder is a great way to create unique shades in baking and decorating.

By using natural food colors instead of store-bought food coloring, I’ve found that my baking not only looks just as beautiful, but I feel better knowing I’m using safe, natural ingredients. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different methods, and I love helping others simplify their journey to healthier baking. You can enjoy beautifully colored baked goods with natural ingredients. Which natural red food coloring are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments!

Pin it for later! Save this guide to your Natural BakingHealthy Desserts, or Food Coloring Alternatives board so you can find it when you need it!

The Best Red Food Coloring Alternatives

Skip artificial red dyes 3 and 40 and try these four natural red food coloring alternatives from Amazon. These plant-based options are perfect for vibrant, clean baking!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

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