Spread it on your morning toast. Mix it into your oats. Or, maybe, pair it with jelly on a sandwich. Whatever you do with your peanut butter, it’s always downright delicious.
If you’re considering going vegan or recently gone vegan, though, there’s certain to be one question on your mind: Is peanut butter vegan or not? Before you dive right into your next jar, here’s everything that you need to know about this tasty, wholesome snack.
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The Short Answer: Is Peanut Butter Vegan?
Let’s keep things short and sweet. Is peanut butter vegan? The simplest answer to this question is yes, peanut butter is vegan… most of the time. The majority of commercially available peanut butter brands consist of nothing more than peanuts, salt, oil, and, in some cases, sweeteners.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. You should always check the label of any peanut butter brand before you buy it. You can never be entirely sure what ingredients a company uses without doing so. What’s more, some may surprise you.
Which Brands Are Not Vegan?
One of the leading brands of peanut butter – Jif – may not be technically vegan. For instance, the company’s Omega-3 Peanut Butter includes anchovy and sardine oil as well as tilapia gelatin, all of which are fish-based. Plus, there’s also a honey variation of the crunchy or smooth peanut butter. As honey is not vegan, this product is a no-no.
But, surely, the standard peanut butter is vegan-friendly, right? Maybe not. The product does not contain any animal-based ingredients. However, since the flavored products are likely manufactured on the same premises as the original Jif Peanut Butter, there’s the opportunity for cross-contamination. Strict vegans may want to avoid the brand entirely.
Of course, whether you actually consider the standard Jif Peanut Butter as vegan is open to interpretation. According to PETA’s advice, vegans shouldn’t worry too much about micro-ingredients (i.e. those far down the list) and cross-contamination.
Peanut Butter Ingredients
As we’ve already covered, many peanut butter products will have a relatively short ingredients list. The core recipe should be nothing more than peanuts, salt, and oil. There may also be some sweeteners or sugars included. When choosing your peanut butter, you should opt for whole food products, i.e. ones that are as natural as possible.
Brands to Try
On the hunt for some of the best vegan peanut butter brands? We’ve got you covered. As you know by now, most peanut butter products are vegan. However, we can whittle things down a little and look at three of the most delicious options for you.
Spread the Love Natural Peanut Butter Naked
Made from nothing but peanuts, Spread the Love Natural Peanut Butter is one of the best vegan spreads out there. The product contains no added extras, such as salt, oil, or sugars. That’s great news and means that the peanut butter totally natural and clean.
Peanut Butter and Co Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter & Co Peanut Butter simply contains peanuts, palm oil, sugar, and salt. Nothing more, nothing less. All of the above results in a smooth, creamy vegan peanut butter that’s perfect for sandwiches or a quick snack. Give it a go.
365 Everyday Value Creamy Peanut Butter
Looking for an organic, vegan peanut butter? You’ve just found it. 365 Everyday Value Peanut Butter is a super simple and affordable Whole Foods option. The product is made entirely from dry roasted organic peanuts, meaning you can feel good as you enjoy it.
The Bottom Line
You’ve got the facts – peanut butter is, usually, vegan. As always, you will need to do your own research when buying products and choosing the right ones for you. It may be worth trying out a couple of the brands we’ve listed here before you settle on one that you love.
