Kikkoman is a popular brand of soy sauce and Asian condiments. Their stir fry sauces are flavorful all-purpose sauces that can be used to add flavor to meat or vegetable stir fries. For vegans and vegetarians, an important question is whether Kikkoman stir fry sauces are vegan-friendly.
The short answer is yes, Kikkoman stir fry sauces are generally vegan. However, it is important to check the ingredients for each variety, as some contain small amounts of non-vegan ingredients like honey. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the ingredients in Kikkoman stir fry sauces to help you determine which are vegan.
Overview of Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauces
Kikkoman offers a range of stir fry sauces under their Teriyaki and Sweet & Sour Sauce lines. Some popular varieties include:
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste & Glaze
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
- Kikkoman Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce (Sweet Chili, Garlic Soy, etc)
These sauces generally contain ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, chili, and sugar. The main animal-derived ingredient to watch out for is honey, which is sometimes added in small amounts to sweeten the sauce.
Analyzing Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients
To determine if a particular Kikkoman sauce is vegan, we need to carefully read the ingredients label. Here is a detailed look at the primary ingredients in their stir fry sauces:
Soy Sauce
The base of most Kikkoman stir fry sauces is soy sauce. Kikkoman uses a naturally brewed soy sauce made from soybeans, wheat, water, and salt. This traditional soy sauce does not contain any animal products, so it is vegan.
Vinegar
Kikkoman uses white distilled vinegar in many of their sauces. Distilled white vinegar is made from grain alcohol and is vegan.
Sugar
The sugar used in Kikkoman sauces is either white cane sugar or brown sugar. Both of these common sugars are vegan.
Ginger and Garlic
Ginger and garlic are essential ingredients that add flavor to Asian sauces. These aromatic vegetables are completely vegan.
Honey
Here is the only non-vegan ingredient that sometimes makes an appearance in Kikkoman stir fry sauces. Honey is made by bees, so it is non-vegan. Some Kikkoman sauces add a touch of honey to balance out sour and salty flavors.
Natural Flavors
Some Kikkoman sauces contain natural flavors. Natural flavors can be derived from animal products or plants. When a label just says “natural flavors” without specifying the source, it is best to contact the manufacturer to determine if they are vegan.
Analysis of Popular Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauces
Now let’s take a look at some of Kikkoman’s most popular stir fry sauces and analyze the ingredients:
Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste & Glaze
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
- Water
- Vinegar
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Honey
The Teriyaki Baste & Glaze contains honey, so it is not vegan.
Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
- Water
- Vinegar
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Onion powder
The Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce does not contain any animal-derived ingredients, so it is vegan.
Kikkoman Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Sugar
- Water
- Vinegar
- Pineapple juice
- Soy sauce
- Dehydrated vegetables (sweet red peppers, onions)
- Modified corn starch
- Salt
- Natural flavors
The Sweet & Sour Sauce contains “natural flavors” but does not specify the source. Contacting Kikkoman revealed these are plant-based, so the sauce is vegan.
Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce – Sweet Chili
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Water
- Soy sauce
- Chili pepper
- Garlic
- Modified corn starch
- Natural flavors
Like the Sweet & Sour, Kikkoman has confirmed this contains vegan natural flavors. So the Sweet Chili Sauce is vegan.
Vegan-Friendly Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Options
Based on a careful analysis of the ingredients lists, these are some of the vegan-friendly stir fry sauce options from Kikkoman:
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
- Kikkoman Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce – Sweet Chili
- Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce – Garlic Soy
- Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce – Spicy Teriyaki
As long as you read the ingredients and look out for honey, these sauces from the Teriyaki and Stir Fry sauce lines are typically vegan. The Sweet & Sour sauce is also vegan.
It is always a good idea to double check with the manufacturer if an ingredients label says “natural flavors” or contains any ambiguous animal-derived ingredients.
Kikkoman Sauces to Avoid
Here are some Kikkoman stir fry sauces that contain non-vegan ingredients that you should avoid:
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste & Glaze – contains honey
- Kikkoman Steak Sauce – contains worcestershire sauce (anchovies)
- Kikkoman Tonkatsu Sauce – contains animal-derived enzymes
Homemade Vegan Stir Fry Sauce
Making your own homemade vegan Asian sauces is an easy way to control the ingredients. Here is a simple recipe for a vegan stir fry sauce:
Ingredients
- 3⁄4 cup vegetable broth
- 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Let sit for 10 minutes for flavors to blend.
- Pour over stir fry dish or use as a dipping sauce.
You can easily customize this simple sauce to your tastes by adjusting the sweetener, spices, oil, or ingredients like rice vinegar.
Conclusion
Kikkoman offers a variety of vegan-friendly stir fry sauces, such as their Teriyaki Marinade and Sweet Chili Sauce. However, some Kikkoman sauces do contain small amounts of honey or other animal-derived ingredients. Always carefully read the label and contact the manufacturer if you are unsure about any ingredients. Making your own stir fry sauce is also an easy way to control the ingredients and customize the flavor.