More Vegan Kitchen Musthaves

In my original post I included my top 5 must have spices for a vegan kitchen, but now would like to expand that to my top 10.  Thank you Sarahbeth for pointing out that Bragg's Liquid Amino Acid is also a very important part of any vegan kitchen.  It tastes much like soy sauce but is made of Amino Acid's only.  It does have sodium but not as much as its Asian counterpart, and is much better for you.  This can be an addition to anything that needs some extra salt.  It does not have to be limited to Asian food I use it in anything that needs a little flavor/ sodium boost.  It is great in soups, stews, pasta, etc....ANYTHING.  Give it a try you won't be let down.  It also does not have as strong a flavor as Soy sauce or tamari so it is much more versatile.


Now that we have the savory addition to most things you need the sweet one.  I always keep agave nector on hand as a perfect sweetener.  Agave comes from a cactus like plan and tastes similar to honey.  There are all different kind, but I prefer the raw blue agave.  Agave also is a great sugar to use if you are cooking for any diabetics because has a very low glycemic index and thus is processed easily.  It is a sugar that actually has many health benefits!  Vegetable sugar, who would have thought.  This is important because many types of sugar ARE NOT VEGAN.  Many sugars on the market are processed with animal fats or bloods so to avoid that use only sugar marked vegan or AGAVE!  Also, since it is a liquid sweetener like honey it is easily mixed into drinks or cold dishes.

If you are not so fond of the super smokey taste of my recommended smoked paprika or chipotles, then cumin is the right spice for you.  It is a popular spice in most chili blends and taco seasons and ups the flavor/ smokey ante in most dishes without adding any extra spice.

Not a spice but any great vegan faux comfort kitchen has to stock a good vegan butter.  My favorite is earth balance and it comes in both sticks and in a tub which makes it great for measuring.  It also has heart healthy oils and omega 3s.  Although, it can be pricey so it is good to know that blue bonnet light is also vegan.  It is much more oily and thin but can be substituted in a pinch and is sold everywhere!

My last must have is an easy one extra virgin olive oil.  It is a great flavor addition and also better for you that many other oils!


Now that your pantry is stocked we can start cooking!