Is Kikkoman Soy Sauce Vegan?
Vegan
Not certifiedKikkoman's standard naturally brewed soy sauce is vegan. The core formula is just four ingredients: water, soybeans, wheat, and salt. No animal products are used at any stage. In January 2025, nine Kikkoman soy sauce products made for the North American market received formal vegan certification from the American Vegetarian Association (AVA). The European range carries V-Label certification from the European Vegetarian Union. The Brazilian Honjozo line got FoodChain ID certification in March 2025. The standard soy sauce, reduced-sodium soy sauce, gluten-free tamari, and Non-GMO varieties are all confirmed vegan across major markets.
The catch: Kikkoman also makes several non-soy-sauce products under the same brand that are not vegan, most notably Teriyaki Baste and Glaze with Honey and Pineapple. If you are grabbing a Kikkoman bottle off the shelf, verify you have a plain soy sauce or tamari, not one of the teriyaki or specialty glazes.
Category
Condiments
Verdict
Vegan
Brand
Kikkoman
The core soy sauce line is clean: water, soybeans, wheat, and salt, brewed via the traditional honjozo method with no additives, colorings, or preservatives. The gluten-free tamari swaps wheat for additional soy and is also vegan.
The less-sodium version uses the same four-ingredient base with a portion of sodium removed via processing, no animal inputs involved. Kikkoman does produce other sauces under the same brand where honey appears (specifically the Teriyaki Baste and Glaze with Honey and Pineapple line), so do not assume every Kikkoman bottle is vegan without reading the label.
The standard soy sauce, however, has never contained any animal ingredient and now carries formal third-party vegan certification in the US, Europe, and Brazil as of 2025.
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ San-J Tamari Soy Sauce
- ✓ Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos
- ✓ Bragg Liquid Aminos
- ✓ Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce
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Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other condiments
Frequently asked
Is Kikkoman Soy Sauce Vegan?
Kikkoman's standard naturally brewed soy sauce is vegan. The core formula is just four ingredients: water, soybeans, wheat, and salt. No animal products are used at any stage. In January 2025, nine Kikkoman soy sauce products made for the North American market received formal vegan certification from the American Vegetarian Association (AVA). The European range carries V-Label certification from the European Vegetarian Union. The Brazilian Honjozo line got FoodChain ID certification in March 2025. The standard soy sauce, reduced-sodium soy sauce, gluten-free tamari, and Non-GMO varieties are all confirmed vegan across major markets.
What is the catch with Kikkoman Soy Sauce?
Kikkoman also makes several non-soy-sauce products under the same brand that are not vegan, most notably Teriyaki Baste and Glaze with Honey and Pineapple. If you are grabbing a Kikkoman bottle off the shelf, verify you have a plain soy sauce or tamari, not one of the teriyaki or specialty glazes.
What can I use instead of Kikkoman Soy Sauce?
Vegan options include San-J Tamari Soy Sauce, Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos, Bragg Liquid Aminos, Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce.
Is Kikkoman Soy Sauce certified vegan?
Kikkoman Soy Sauce does not carry a third-party vegan certification, so the verdict here is based on its current ingredient list and manufacturer information.
Sources
Last verified June 20, 2026. See how we verify. Always confirm on the current product label, since recipes change. Product photo via Open Food Facts.
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