This is a huge list of ingredients and food products that are and aren’t vegan.
There’s a link to a detailed explanation of why each item is or isn’t vegan, but also a short answer if you’re in a rush.
It’s ongoing, so I’m probably missing some things. If you think of any that are missing, leave me a comment at the bottom and I’ll add them.
Otherwise, I highly recommend using “Ctrl + f” (find) if you’re looking for a specific ingredient.
Note that if something says it “might” be vegan, that’s because there are controversial ingredients in it that some vegans are okay with, and others are not.
Food Ingredients
Anything that is usually found on an ingredients label that a vegan might not be sure about fell into this category.
If something says “Usually Vegan”, that means that most vegans can be comfortable assuming that it is vegan when they see it on an ingredients list.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Caramel | Usually Vegan | Is Caramel Vegan? |
Caramel Color | Usually Vegan | Is Caramel Color Vegan? |
Cocoa Powder | Usually Vegan | Is Cocoa Powder Vegan? |
Food Coloring (e.g. Red 40, Blue 1, etc.) | Controversial | Are Artificial Flavors Vegan? |
Glycerol (Glycerin) | Sometimes Vegan | Is Glycerol Vegan? |
Gum Base | Sometimes Vegan | Is Gum Base Vegan? |
Lactase | Usually Vegan | Is Lactase Enzyme Vegan? |
Lecithin | Sometimes Vegan | Is Lecithin Vegan? |
Mono- and Diglycerides | Sometimes Vegan | Are Monoglycerides and Diglycerides Vegan? (E471) |
Natural Butter Flavor | Sometimes Vegan | Is Natural Butter Flavor Vegan? |
Natural Flavors | Sometimes Vegan | Are Natural Flavors Vegan |
Shellac | Not Vegan | Is Shellac Vegan? |
Sodium Caseinate | Not Vegan | Sodium Caseinate is NOT Vegan |
Vanilla Extract | Vegan | Is Vanilla Extract Vegan? |
Xanthan Gum | Usually Vegan | Is Xanthan Gum Vegan |
Packaged Foods
This section includes foods you can buy off the shelf in grocery stores.
There are quite a few foods in this section, so I’ve divided it into a few smaller sections to make it a bit more manageable.
Cereals
Many cereals are close to being vegan, but unfortunately have vitamin D from an animal source (here’s why vitamin D3 isn’t vegan).
You may be interested in my guide to vegan cereals with B12.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Captain Crunch | Might Be Vegan | Is Captain Crunch Vegan? |
Cocoa Pebbles | Not Vegan | Are Cocoa Pebbles Vegan? |
Cocoa Puffs | Not Vegan | Are Cocoa Puffs Vegan? |
Frosted Flakes | Not Vegan | Are Frosted Flakes Vegan? |
Fruit Loops | Not Vegan | Are Fruit Loops Vegan? |
Fruity Pebbles | Not Vegan | Are Fruity Pebbles Vegan? |
Kashi Cereals | Many Flavors Are Vegan | Which Kashi Cereals Are Vegan? |
Raisin Bran | Probably Vegan | Is Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereal Vegan? |
Reese’s Puffs | Not Vegan | Is Reese’s Puffs Cereal Vegan? |
Special K | Not Vegan | Is Special K Cereal Vegan? |
Drinks
I’ve only looked at popular drinks you can buy at stores. See my guide to vegan energy drinks if you’re not interested in the specific ones below.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Bubble Tea | Can Be Made Vegan | Is Bubble Tea Vegan? |
Monster Energy | Many Flavors Are Likely Vegan | Is Monster Energy Drink Vegan? |
Red Bull | Might Be Vegan | Is Red Bull Vegan? |
Soda (e.g. Pepsi, Mountain Dew, etc.) | Many Sodas Are Likely Vegan | Is Soda Vegan? |
Chips
The most basic chip is just made from potato, so whether or not a brand of chips are vegan depends on what else they add.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Chex Mix | A Few Flavors Might Be Vegan | Is Chex Mix Vegan? |
Doritos | Some Flavors Are Vegan | Which Doritos Are Vegan? |
Lay’s | Some Flavors Are Vegan | Are Lay’s Vegan? |
Miss Vickies | Most Flavors Are Not Vegan | Are Miss Vickie’s Chips Vegan? |
Pringles | Most Flavors Are Not Vegan | Are Pringles Vegan? |
Tostitos | Many Flavors Are Vegan | Are Tostitos Vegan? |
Candy
If you’re not strict about things like bone char in sugar and artificial colors, you’ll consider many candies to be vegan.
Otherwise, you’ll want to look for companies that specifically make candy that’s vegan-friendly.
I’ve also written a vegan jelly bean guide since they can be hard to find.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Candy Canes | Most Are Not Vegan | Are Candy Canes Vegan? |
Donuts | Most Are Not Vegan | Are Donuts Typically Vegan? |
Lindt Dark Chocolate | Some Bars Are Vegan | Is Lindt Dark Chocolate Vegan? |
Mentos | Most Flavors Are Not Vegan | Are Mentos Products Vegan? |
Nerds | Might Be Vegan | Are Nerds Vegan? |
Oreos | Might Be Vegan | Are Oreos Vegan? |
Salt Water Taffy | Some Is Vegan | Is Salt Water Taffy Vegan? |
Skittles | Might Be Vegan | Are Skittles Vegan? |
Snickers | Not Vegan | Are Snickers Vegan or Vegetarian? |
Sour Patch Kids | Might Be Vegan | Are Sour Patch Kids Vegan? |
Twizzlers | Probably Not Vegan | Are Twizzlers Vegan? |
Baking and Cooking
Here’s a mix of ingredients typically used for cooking, and packaged foods that you buy and still have to cook.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Balsamic Vinegar | Some Types Are Vegan | Is Balsamic Vinegar Vegan? |
Betty Crocker Cake Mix | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | Is Betty Crocker Cake Mix Vegan? |
Country Crock Butter | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | A List of Vegan Country Crock Butters |
Molasses | Some Brands Are Vegan | Is Molasses Vegan? |
Shortening | Vegetable Shortening Might Be Vegan | Is Shortening Vegan? |
Smart Balance Butter | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | Is Smart Balance Butter Vegan and Dairy-Free? |
Sugar (White and Brown) – See Bone Char-Free Sugar Brands | Might Be Vegan | Is White or Brown Sugar Vegan? |
Sweetex | Might Be Vegan | Is Sweetex Vegan? |
Teriyaki Sauce | Some Brands Are Vegan | Is Teriyaki Sauce Usually Vegan? |
Wheat Flour | Vegan | Is Regular Wheat Flour Vegan? |
General
These are foods that don’t fit into any of the above categories.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Barbecue Sauce | Many Brands Are Vegan | Is Barbecue Sauce Vegan? |
Chow Mein | Noodles Vegan, but Typical Sauce Isn’t | Are Chow Mein Noodles Vegan? |
Clif Bars | Many Flavors Are Vegan | Vegan Clif Bars: Flavors That Are Vegan |
Graham Crackers | Not Vegan | Are Graham Crackers Typically Vegan? |
Gum | List of Vegan Brands | Vegan Gum Brands |
Hoisin Sauce | Usually Vegan | Is Hoisin Sauce Vegan? |
HP Brown Sauce | Vegan | Is HP Brown Sauce Vegan? |
Jelly/Jam | Some Brands Are Vegan | Is Jelly Or Jam Vegan? |
K Cups | Many Flavors Are Vegan | Are All K Cups Vegan? [List] |
KIND Bars | Many Flavors Are Vegan | Are KIND Granola Bars and Products Vegan? |
Luna Bars | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | Vegan Luna Bars |
Nature Valley Granola Bars | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | Are Nature Valley Granola Bars Vegan? |
Palm Oil | Might Be Vegan | Is Palm Oil Vegan? |
Pop Tarts | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | Are Pop Tarts Vegan? |
Quaker Instant Oatmeal | Some Flavors Are Vegan | Is Quaker Instant Oatmeal Vegan? |
Ritz Crackers | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | Are Ritz Crackers Vegan? |
Sriracha | Might Be Vegan | Is Sriracha Sauce Vegan? |
Top Ramen | Some Flavors Might Be Vegan | Is Top Ramen Vegan? |
Wonder White Bread | Probably Not Vegan | Is Wonder Bread Vegan and Dairy-Free? |
Eating Out
The final food section is a small collection of posts I’ve written about foods at restaurants.
If there’s anything you’d really like to see added, just let me know.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Burger King Fries | Might Be Vegan | Are Burger King Fries Vegan? |
Fast Food French Fries | Which Fast Food French Fries Are Vegan? [List] | |
Movie Theatre Popcorn | Some Movie Theatre Popcorn Is Vegan | Is Movie Theater Popcorn Vegan? (AMC, Regal, etc.) |
Onion Rings | Some Onion Rings Are Vegan | Are Onion Rings Usually Vegan? |
Pizza Dough | Some Crusts Are Vegan | Is Pizza Dough Vegan? (Dominos, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, etc.) |
Salad Dressing | Some Dressings Are Vegan | Is Salad Dressings At Restaurants Vegan? |
Non Food Items
And here’s…everything non-edible that I’ve looked at before.
You’ll notice that medicine in general is given a little leeway in what’s considered vegan. But some medicine is more vegan than others. For examples, see my guide to vegan sore throat lozenges and cough drops.
Ingredient | Verdict | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Beano | Probably Not Vegan | Is Beano Vegan? |
Blistex | Not Vegan | Is Blistex Lip Balm Vegan? |
Carmex Lip Balm | Not Vegan | Is Carmex Lip Balm Vegan and Cruelty-Free? |
Chapstick | Not Vegan | Is ChapStick Vegan and Cruelty-Free? |
Cough Medicine | Some Are More Vegan Than Others | Vegan Cold and Flu Medicine Guide |
Crest Toothpaste | Not Vegan | Is Crest Toothpaste Vegan? |
Emergen-C Vegan | Some Products Are Vegan | Is Emergen-C Vegan? [Updated] |
EOS Lip Balm | Some Products Are Vegan | Is EOS Lip Balm Vegan and Cruelty-Free? |
Glue | Usually Vegan | Is Glue Vegan? |
Hand Sanitizer | Probably Vegan | Is Hand Sanitizer Vegan? (Purell, Dettol) |
Laundry Detergent | Sometimes Vegan | Is Laundry Detergent Vegan? |
Merino Wool | Not Vegan | Is Merino Wool Vegan? |
PU Leather | Usually Vegan | What is PU Leather, and is it Vegan? |
Toothpaste | Sometimes Vegan | Is Toothpaste Vegan? |
Vaseline | Probably Vegan | Is Vaseline Vegan? |
Beauty Products
These are mainly collections of good vegan skin and hair products.
Product | Resources |
---|---|
Pomade | Best Vegan Hair Pomade Brands |
Shampoo | Vegan Anti-Dandruff Shampoos |
Moisturizer | Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Moisturizers With SPF |
Sunscreen | Best Vegan Sunscreens |
Lip Balm | Best Cruelty-Free Vegan Lip Balms |
Clothing
I’ve created guides to certain types of clothing and accessories that it can be hard to find vegan versions for.
Product | Resources |
---|---|
Boots | Here are a few guides to specific types of boots: |
Shoes | I’ve created a few different guides to shoes: |
Camera Straps | The Best Vegan Camera Straps |
Messenger Bags | Vegan Laptop Messenger Bags |
Workout Clothes | Vegan Workout Clothing Brands |