List of the 25+ Best Vegan Condiments to Always Keep On Hand
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Some might think that going vegan means giving up the flavor in exchange for bland food, but with the abundance of flavorful vegan condiments available today, that is definitely not the case!
Regardless of whether you’re cooking veggies, tacos, or pasta, here’s a list of the best vegan condiments and “fixing” that I like to keep in my kitchen.
Ketchup is a staple condiment that contains few ingredients, most of the plant-based; however, some strict vegans avoid refined sugar (which is a common ketchup ingredient) as it is sometimes processed using bone char. The good news is that sugar that is certified organic has not been processed using bone char; therefore, organic ketchup is safe for even strict vegans.
If you aren’t concerned about refined sugars, then any ketchup is up for grabs. If you want to avoid refined sugars, simply purchase organic ketchup!
Some of my favorite brands of ketchup are:
Heinz
Annie’s
But you can use almost any brand because they’re all pretty similar.
Thank goodness mustard (aside from some dijons and honey mustard) is vegan because it is a must topped on veggie hot dogs and burgers! I’ve been dying to get my hands on the new Beyond Meat Sausage,and I know it’s going to be superb drizzled with that tangy yellow goodness!
If you’re looking at dijon mustards, be sure to double check the ingredients for egg-whites and possibly dairy.
No need to miss out on that delicious barbecue flavor that you enjoyed in your pre-vegan days because most barbecue sauce brands are vegan; however, the most common non-vegan ingredient to watch out for is honey.
Although I still love simple BBQ vegetable skewers, my new favorite way to use barbecue sauce is to make Pulled Cauliflower BBQ Sandwiches or use it to make Lentil Sloppy Joe’s. Yes, it’s as divine as it sounds!
Unfortunately, traditional mayonnaise uses eggs as one of the ingredients so most store bought mayonnaise brands are not vegan.
If you find yourself needing mayo for a recipe or as a creamy sandwich spread, you can either make your own or seek out some specialty brands.
They’re becoming more and more common.
Most vegan mayonnaise recipes combine soy milk and some kind of plant-based oil. This oneis only four ingredients and can be adapted to get the exact texture you’d like.
There are also some commercial vegan “mayo” brands available, but you will likely need to head to a specialty store or order them online. Both Hellmann’sandPrimal Kitchenhave vegan versions available.
Hummus is almost always vegan, and it is a staple of many vegan diets because it is both filling and so easy to make. On top of that, it is versatile and can be adapted to just about any flavor you’d like!
The primary ingredient of every hummus recipe is ground up chickpeas.
Tahini is usually added for flavor and richness. Traditional hummus is flavored with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt, but you can add other flavor options easily.
Try adding red pepper or artichoke. You can use it as a veggie dip or on top of pita bread for a delicious appetizer or lunch option.
Most store-bought options are vegan — even the common brands like Sabra, but keep an eye on hummus dips brought to a party. Sometimes people add feta cheese which is the most common ingredient to watch out for.
Sriracha, like many hot sauces, is completely vegan! And that’s great news because this spicy sauce is so versatile that it can add a dash of flavor to just about anything.
You canmake your ownwith a combination of vinegar, peppers, and spices, but it requires fermentation, so if you don’t want to wait it out, you can grab a bottle of the most popular brand from Huy Fong Foods at just about any grocery store.
Tapatio is a popular hot sauce brand that you will find on the tables of many Mexican restaurants, and you’ll be happy to know that it is completely vegan!
Grab a few bottles to keep on hand and add flavor to tofu scrambles, tacos, and sandwiches.
Frank’s Red Hot sauce is another popular hot sauce brand, and it is also completely vegan! Their Buffalo Wing Sauce is also vegan (which will be touched on in the Buffalo sauce section).
Frank’s sauce comes in an array of flavors, so if you’re looking to expand your hot sauce options or turn up the heat, check out their variety.
Traditional ranch sauce and dips are not vegan because they contain buttermilk. Some recipes also use yogurt or sour cream as a base, but most commercially-available ranch options contain dairy.
Guacamole is almost always vegan. The basic recipe is simply avocados, tomatoes, garlic, lime, and salt. You can of course make adaptations to make it your own. Try adding some roasted corn or diced jalapeno.
Guacamole is an excellent way to add healthy fats (which help with nutrient absorption of fat-soluble vitamins) to a wide variety of meals. Dollop some on top of a tofu scramble or add it to a bean burrito.
It can be a great condiment option to add salty flavor to a dish while also elevating the flavor profile and making it more sophisticated. Try it on stir fry or just drizzled on veggies.
Actual wasabi is made from a rare Japanese variety of horseradish, and it is completely vegan, but it is also completely expensive! The green paste that usually accompanies your sushi order is almost certainly not made from real wasabi. It’s still a plant-based condiment, though, and is vegan.
Wasabi paste can add a big burst of spicy flavor, so use it sparingly!
Tabasco hot sauce is one of the most popular brands, and you can find them in lots of restaurants as well as most grocery stores.Their green jalapeno brand is a particularly popular variety because it has a milder flavor that still packs a spicy bite.Tabasco brandhot saucesare all vegan, including their “Buffalo” flavor.
Horseradish itself, which is a root vegetable, is vegan, but many of the sauces made from it are not because they contain dairy.
Be sure to check labels carefully if buying a conventional horseradish sauce, but you can get that spicy bite by making it yourselfor choosing a vegan-specific brand that substitutes other ingredients for the dairy.
Just make sure you get a jar that’s 100% horseradish that’s not a pre-made sauce.
Try it on sandwiches or even on top of mashed potatoes for a delicious kick.
Duck sauce is the translucent orange-hued sauce popular in Chinese takeout. It has a delicious sweet and sour taste, and it is typically vegan. Most versions are simply vinegar and sugar.
You can make your own and completely customize the level of spice. This recipecalls for apricot jam to add some density to the sweetness.
Try it on spring rolls or any of your favorite Chinese dishes.
Butter is clearly not vegan, but there are many dairy-free butter alternatives available.
You can make a creamy, spreadablehomemade versionthat starts with coconut oil and uses turmeric for coloring, so it really looks like the real thing!
You can spread it on toast, add it to oatmeal, or put a dab on muffins to make your meal a little more delectable.
There are also plenty of commercially-available vegetable-based butter alternatives, and any grocery store is likely to have brands likeEarth Balanceon hand.
Salsa is a great vegan condiment that adds flavors and delicious nutrients to so many dishes. Keep a few jars on hand at all times and find the spiciness that works best for you because you can do so much with salsa.
Serve with chips for a quick and easy appetizer or to entertain last-minute guests. Put it on top of veggie burgers to add a kick of flavor.
This is also a condiment that’s easy to find at just about any grocery store in a wide variety of flavors.
Cream cheese is not vegan, but there are vegan alternatives available.
Follow Your HeartandKite Hillboth have vegan versions commercially available, though you may have to hunt a little to find stores that regularly carry them.
Tahini is a wonderful vegan condiment that serves as a key ingredient for hummus and can be added to lots of other dishes to give a boost of healthy fats and rich texture.
Thebasic recipefor tahini just takes sesame seeds and olive oil, but the commercially available brands at your local grocery store are almost certainly vegan, too.
Try mixing it with buffalo sauce to make for a creamy, rich dressing that’s excellent for dipping, on tacos, or added to slaws.
Sriracha gets all the fame and glory, but its sophisticated cousin samba garlic chili sauce deserves some of that attention.
This dish is completely vegan, containing simply chili, vinegar, and spices. This thick, chunky hot sauce brings all the spicy flavor but also adds some texture and depth to a dish.
Huy Fong Foods, best known for their ubiquitous sriarcha sauce, makes an excellent version.
Hoisin Sauce
Typically found in Asian cooking, the main ingredients in Hoisin sauce are soy sauce, miso paste, vinegar, corn starch and some additives.
Most, if not all, brands that you find should be 100% vegan. This includes popular brands like Kikkoman.
Relish can add a delicious bit of crunch to sandwiches and salads, and the ingredients are almost certainly vegan with most simply containing cucumbers, vinegar, and spices. If you are being health conscious though, you may want to double check the labels.A lot of commercial relish contains processed sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup.
If you want to make sure you get the flavor just right and control exactly what ingredients go into it, the best bet is to make your own. It doesn’t take that long to make, and it can keep for a month, so you can stock up!
Vegan Sour Cream
Of course, traditional sour cream is not vegan, but there are vegan alternatives available to help give your dishes a creamy texture or to add a little creaminess to a taco or dip.
It can be a great alternative to cheese dips that has a neutral flavor profile just begging for some customized spices.
You can make your ownusing cashews as the base or look for commercially available brands (which are likely to be found in most supermarkets these days). Follow Your Hearthas a vegan sour cream made primarily from soy.
Most commercially available canned or jarred enchilada sauce is vegan, but double check the label to be sure.Some homemade recipes call for chicken broth, so if you’re eating at a restaurant or a potluck, you should ask the chef about the base.
This sauce can be great on top of bean enchiladas or to liven up dips.
There are plenty of vegan teriyaki sauces out there for when you want to have a quick Asian-style meal right at home. The only thing you need to be aware of is honey, which can be added from time to time.
Marinara sauce is great for dipping all sorts of things – it’s not just for topping pasta.You can use it to top grilled tofu, mix it with lentils or pretty much anything you want to jazz up.
Kimchi is a cross between a condiment and a side — but it’s great as both.Some brands do have fish or non-vegan components, so be sure to grab avegan kimchi brand.
Vegan Whipped Cream
Did you know that you can buy whipped cream that’s totally vegan?While it’s certainly not a savory condiment, it’s great for topping dairy-free ice creams when you want a special treat.
Cranberry sauce is a combination of a side dish and a condiment.Luckily, it’s pretty much all vegan.Watch for excess sugar, but you can opt to make your own at home with a healthier ingredient list.
As you can see, eating a vegan diet doesn’t mean giving up the flavor and delicious variety of foods available.Some condiments take a little creative thinking and culinary experimentation to recreate, but many of your favorite condiments are already vegan-friendly and as convenient as grabbing them off the shelf!
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