Soy sauce is often used as a condiment when preparing meals. It’s salty and adds tons of flavor. However, if you follow a vegan diet, you may wonder, “Is soy sauce vegan?”
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The controversy over whether or not soy sauce is vegan-friendly is a bit more complicated than a yes or no answer. Here, I’ll explain everything you need to know so you can pick up a soy sauce at the market that you feel 100% comfortable using!
Soy sauce is an umami flavor condiment that can be used in a variety of recipes and cooking styles. It is most commonly used in Asian cuisine but is also used in salad dressings, as a dipping sauce, and more!
I frequently use soy sauce in my stir-fries and other Asian-inspired recipes, such as my vegan dumplings and chop suey.
Most brands do not display markings indicating they are a vegan soy sauce. While the ingredients listed don’t cause concern, there is a bit more investigation needed to have a clear answer.
Does Soy Sauce Have Animal Products?
The main ingredient in soy sauce is soybeans. Here is a list of the basic ingredients in most brands.
- Water
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Salt
- Lactic Acid
- Sodium Benzoate
A basic recipe includes ingredients that would not spark concern. All of these ingredients are plant-friendly.
Whereas it is easier to determine non-vegan ingredients such as fish sauce in other Asian food, it’s not so simple to find non-vegan ingredients when looking at the label on a bottle of soy sauce.
The fermentation process differs from one brand to another.
Lactic acid bacteria can be found in plant sources and animal sources. The type of lactic acid used to create soy sauce is unclear by simply looking at the label.
What is also unclear is whether or not the brands that make soy sauce use animal testing.
To truly understand what is used to create soy sauce and whether or not it is free from animal testing, it is best to contact the company for more information or look at their website.
Common Soy Sauce Brands
Here is a list of the most common soy sauce brands and an ingredient list.
- Kikkoman Soy Sauce Regular or Kikkoman Soy Sauce Lite: Water, wheat, soybeans, salt, lactic acid, sodium benzoate.
- La Choy: Water, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Corn Syrup, Salt, Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative).
- 365 Whole Foods Soy Sauce: Water, soybeans, wheat, salt, alcohol.
- Trader Joe’s Soy Sauce: water, soybeans, wheat, salt, vinegar.
Chinese Soy Sauces
- Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce: Water, salt, soybeans, sugar, wheat, disodium five inosinate, disodium five guanylate.
- Kimlan Soy Sauce: Water, soybeans, wheat, salt, sugar.
As you can see by reading the different labels, all soy sauces are not created equal. It is essential, when you are at the store, to turn over the bottle and read the label of ingredients before purchasing to ensure you are getting the most naturally made product available, as well as one that is free of animal products and preservatives.
I recommend staying away from soy sauce brands that list lactic acid on their ingredient label, just to be safe. I also recommend avoiding soy sauce brands that use sugar, food coloring, or preservatives, as these ingredients do not bring any health benefits.
At this time, I use the Trader Joe’s brand or the Whole Foods brand.
What types of soy sauce are there?
Traditional soy sauce is brewed and made from a fermented paste of soybeans, wheat, and brine.
Light soy sauce has less sodium. It is similar in flavor and texture to regular and made with the same process.
Dark Soy Sauce: Thicker and slightly sweeter in flavor it is used most often to darken the color sauces.
Soy Sauce Substitute
If all of this seems confusing, it may be best to consider a substitute. Do not use soy sauce if you have celiac disease, are sensitive to gluten, or have a soy allergy.
These are excellent options if you want to avoid soy sauce altogether but still want the same flavor.
Tamari: Gluten-free and vegan, tamari has a richer and milder flavor. Made with water, soybeans, salt, and alcohol. Do not use if allergic to soy.
Coconut Aminos: Made with coconut blossom nectar, water, and sea salt, this is a healthier option, as it contains half the sodium of regular soy sauce. It is naturally vegan and gluten-free and an excellent option for those allergic to soy products.
Bragg Liquid Aminos: Also made with soy, this gluten-free liquid seasoning is specifically listed on the label as certified vegan. It contains vegetable protein from soybeans and water. Do not use if allergic to soy.
FAQS
The traditional brewing process of Kikkoman soy sauce uses only four basic ingredients: water, soybeans, wheat, and salt. No animal-derived ingredients are included in its production.
Some people question the healthiness of soy due to misunderstandings, selective studies, and misinterpretation. The most widespread misconception is that the isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen (plant-based estrogen), which some fear might mimic human estrogen and disrupt hormonal balance. However, studies have shown that moderate soy consumption does not negatively affect hormone levels in most people and may even have protective effects, such as reducing the risk of hormone-related cancers like breast cancer.
In Conclusion
Is soy sauce vegan? A bottle of soy sauce is vegan if it is fermented with a vegan lactic acid. If you do not want to risk buying a non-vegan soy sauce, use one of the alternatives, such as tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos.
Check out these other vegan tips!
- WFPB Diet: The Ultimate Guide
- Top 10 Vegan Kitchen Tools
- How to Press Tofu
- Are Sour Patch Kids Vegan?
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