Is Peanut Butter Vegan?

Is peanut butter vegan?

Yes, plain peanut butter is naturally vegan. The standard ingredients in peanut butter are all plant-based: peanuts (legumes, not nuts despite the name); salt; sometimes oil (palm oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil for stabilization); sometimes sugar (cane sugar, brown sugar). None of these are animal products. Peanut butter doesn't require dairy, eggs, honey, or other animal ingredients in its standard preparation. Major brands of vegan peanut butter: Jif (most varieties); Skippy (most varieties); Smucker's Natural; Justin's Classic; Peter Pan; Trader Joe's; Whole Foods 365 brand; Once Again; Adams; Smart Balance; Spread the Love; Wild Friends; Crazy Richard's. The Vegan Society and PETA both classify standard peanut butter as vegan. Even most 'natural' peanut butters using only peanuts and salt are obviously vegan.

What peanut butter varieties are not vegan?

Some peanut butter products contain animal ingredients. Honey-roasted peanut butter: contains honey, which is not vegan (most vegans avoid honey for ethical reasons). Brands: Smucker's Honey Roasted, Justin's Honey Peanut Butter. Honey-sweetened peanut butter: similar issue. Some flavored peanut butters: chocolate peanut butter may contain milk chocolate or whey (check labels); cookie dough peanut butter may contain milk; some cookies and cream varieties contain dairy; vanilla peanut butter varieties typically vegan but check. Specialty 'gourmet' peanut butters: some artisanal brands add ingredients like maple syrup (vegan), honey (not vegan), or dairy. Peanut butter cups (Reese's): made with milk chocolate, contain dairy, not vegan; dark chocolate peanut butter cups vary. Always check ingredient lists for: honey, milk, milk powder, whey, butter, casein, lactose. The plain or natural varieties are reliably vegan.

What about powdered peanut butter and peanut flour during a vegan diet?

Powdered peanut butter and peanut flour are typically vegan. Powdered peanut butter (PB2, others): made by grinding roasted peanuts and removing most of the oil, then powdering. Ingredients typically: peanuts, sugar, salt. Most brands are vegan. PB2 has both regular (with sugar) and unsweetened versions; both are vegan. Some powdered peanut butters with chocolate flavoring should be checked for milk powder content. Peanut flour: ground peanuts, no other ingredients; vegan and gluten-free. Defatted peanut flour: same product with even less oil; vegan. These products mix with water to create peanut butter-like spreads with significantly less fat and calories than regular peanut butter. They're popular in smoothies, baking, and protein shakes. Read ingredient lists; most are vegan but verify each brand. Some peanut protein powders may have non-vegan flavorings (whey isolate or milk-based proteins); check labels carefully.

How can you enjoy peanut butter on a vegan diet?

Many vegan peanut butter applications. Classic: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (with vegan bread and any jelly is naturally vegan). Peanut butter banana sandwiches (Elvis style without bacon). Peanut butter on toast (vegan butter optional). Peanut butter smoothies (with plant milk and banana). Peanut butter cookies (use vegan butter and flax egg replacement). Peanut butter oatmeal (with plant milk). Peanut butter on apples or celery. Asian peanut sauce (with tamari, lime, garlic, ginger; for noodles, satay-style dishes, salads).