|
Posted: 1/10/2025
By Kim Skaff
The Top 5 Best Plant-Based Seasonings
From soups to sautéed plant-based meats to roasted veggies, plant-based seasonings work behind the scenes to elevate these dishes to the next level of deliciousness. Gone are the days when vegans and vegetarians had to scour labels for animal-free options or settle for bland meals. Good riddance!
We've all been there - standing in the grocery store aisle, checking the labels on taco seasonings, chili mixes, broth mixes, and other similar products for obvious animal-derived ingredients like chicken fat, beef flavoring, lard, gelatin, whey, and lactose. But the check doesn’t stop there! Next, we have to watch out for sneaky “ingredients,” like “natural flavors” or “spices,” which can easily hide animal products we wouldn’t expect if they aren’t labeled as vegan (but if they were we wouldn’t be doing this exercise, would we?!). And just when you think you’ve checked everything, there are those obscure ingredients you’ve never heard of, requiring a not-so-quick lookup, only to find they too come from animals. Ugh. It’s exhausting.
Quit checking seasoning labels! Today there’s a growing variety of dedicated plant-based seasonings, each offering unique flavor profiles and versatile uses. And even omnivores are embracing them - often without noticing the difference!
But with so many options, how do you choose the right seasoning for your cooking needs? Which ones deserve a permanent spot on your spice rack? As a plant-based food enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of testing a wide range of these blends over the years. For this ranking, I’ve seasoned, stirred, and tasted my way through the contenders to determine which seasonings deliver on flavor, versatility, and quality. Keep reading to discover your next go-to seasoning!
Top 5 Plant-Based Seasonings:
(based on sales data from FakeMeats.com)
Best paired with: Butler Soy Curls or Plant Basics Hearty Plant Protein
How to use: Rehydrate and drain 4 oz of Butler Soy Curls or Plant Basics Hearty Plant Protein, place in skillet, add 2 ½ tablespoons Chik-Style Seasoning and saute until slightly browned.
From the creators of the iconic
Soy Curls, Butler Chik-Style Seasoning delivers a hearty, rich chicken-style flavor that's as close as you can get to the real thing without any animals involved. I love how this unique blend of spices adds depth to the fake meats we put in soups, rice, pizzas, fajitas, enchiladas, stir-fries, casseroles, pastas, and beyond. It captures that savory chicken essence without overwhelming your dish, which makes it perfect for anyone trying to recreate traditional flavors in plant-based meals. It’s one of those versatile seasonings I keep in my pantry for pretty much any savory creation.
The only thing I’ve found is that the big 10.75 oz jar can sometimes cake up if you don’t use it quickly enough. The back of the bottle recommends stirring it if that happens, and storing it in a cool, dry place can help prevent clumping. Since no anti-caking agents are used, a little hardening is to be expected. (Yes, I just had to make that joke!)
Butler Chik-Style Seasoning was reformulated last year to be gluten-free. Some people like the new recipe better, and some prefer the old recipe, but my taste buds must not be that discerning because both taste great to me!
Overall, I think
Butler Chik-Style Seasoning is a fantastic option for adding plant-based chicken flavor to your cooking. It’s so easy to use, and once you get past the occasional clumping, it’ll quickly become one of your favorites in the kitchen.
Buy Butler Chik-Style Seasoning on FakeMeats.com
Best for making broth
How to use: Stir one teaspoon of Seitenbacher vegetable broth mix into one cup of boiling water and mix well.
Seitenbacher Vegetable Broth and Seasoning is my go-to for easy, flavorful broth. Made with naturally dried yeast from nutritional yeast, it offers a rich, savory flavor without artificial additives. What I love most is its simple, clean ingredient list - everything is recognizable and wholesome, from yeast extract and vegetables to herbs like lovage and rosemary. It’s the perfect vegan-friendly alternative to store-bought broths or the time-consuming process of making your own (no thanks!).
Seitenbacher comes in both
a convenient .8 oz packet, which makes 6 cups of broth, and a 5 oz can that makes 40 cups. Whichever one I grab really just depends on what I have on hand that day. Either way, it’s cost-effective and easy to keep stocked in my kitchen. For an extra rich flavor, I like to double the recommended amount and stir two teaspoons of the mix into a cup of boiling water. Easy and delish!
And it's not just for broth! I love how this seasoning enhances everything from soups and sauces to gravies, stir-fries, rice, tofu, pasta, salads, and beyond. The addition of lovage adds a fresh, savory note that makes this seasoning stand out. It’s versatile, all-natural, and vegan-friendly, and it’s earned a permanent spot in my kitchen.
Buy Seitenbacher Vegetable Broth and Seasoning on FakeMeats.com - .8 oz packet & 5 oz can
Best for making broth
How to use: Dissolve one cube of Edward & Sons Vegan Bouillon into two cups of hot water and mix well.
Edward & Sons vegan bouillon cubes are my secret weapon for adding depth and savory richness to just about anything I cook. With eight great flavors to choose from -
Not-Chick’n,
Not-Chick’n Low Sodium,
Not-Beef,
Not-Fish,
Garden Veggie,
Garden Veggie Low Sodium,
Yellow Curry, and
Hot & Sour- there’s a perfect option for every dish. Each box contains eight easy-to-use cubes, making 16 cups of chicken-flavored broth. I love that all I have to do is dissolve one cube in two cups of hot water - no measuring, no fuss!
What’s also great is that
Edward & Sons offers low sodium options for their Not-Chick’n and Garden Veggie cubes, which is a rarity in the bouillon world. If you're watching your sodium intake, these are a fantastic alternative. Personally, I don’t worry too much about sodium (should I be?!), but I know some people really appreciate the option for a lighter, healthier broth or seasoning.
Beyond broth,
Edward & Sons bouillon cubes shine as an all-purpose seasoning. I throw them into sauces, gravies, and marinades, stir them into veggie stir-fries and casseroles, or even crush them over popcorn and snacks for a savory kick. They’re a kitchen essential, bringing flavor and convenience to my cooking.
Buy Edward & Sons Vegan Bouillon Cubes on FakeMeats.com
Read more about the Top 3 Edward & Sons Bouillon Flavors
Best for making broth
How to use: Stir one teaspoon of Better than Bouillon base into one cup of hot water and mix well.
Better Than Bouillon is a bit of a different beast compared to the bouillon cubes like Edward & Sons. Instead of cubes, it’s a rich and concentrated base that’s perfect for making broth quickly and easily. It comes in three flavors:
No Chicken,
No Beef, and
Vegetable, so you can choose the one that fits your dish.
Like
Edward & Sons, it’s quick and simple to use. Each 8 oz jar makes 38 cups of broth, and to make the broth, I just stir one teaspoon of the base into a cup of hot water. Easy peasy!
These
bouillons elevate soups, sauces, and gravies with a rich, savory depth that’s hard to beat. Whenever I cook for my omnivorous friends, they can't believe it's vegan!
One small downside? After opening, you do have to refrigerate the jar, which means I end up with several jars taking up space in my fridge. A bit of a hassle, but honestly, the strong, concentrated flavor is absolutely worth it.
Buy Better than Bouillon on FakeMeats.com
Best paired with: Plant Basics Hearty Plant Protein, Soy Curls, TVP, or Tofu
How to use: Add one teaspoon of Plant Basics Seasoning to 1 cup of hot water and mix well. Or to season your Plant Basics Hearty Plant Protein, Soy Curls, TVP, or Tofu, sprinkle one teaspoon on one serving of protein while cooking.
Saving the best for last, I’ve got to talk about
Plant Basics Just Like Seasonings. These seasonings are my top pick for adding rich, savory flavor to everything I make. Whether I’m simply seasoning some plant-based proteins, or getting fancy with a casserole, soup, or stir-fry (yeah, that’s fancy for me), these seasonings deliver full-bodied flavor every time.
I love the variety, too. These seasonings come in everything from classic
Just Like Beef,
Just Like Chicken, and
Just Like Ham to some newer, exciting options like
Just Like Beef Taco,
Just Like Italian Sausage, and
Just Like Vegetables. What I really appreciate is knowing that they’re all guaranteed vegan, especially Just Like Beef Taco and Just Like Italian Sausage. That was me getting annoyed reading long labels in the grocery stories when I just wanted to be lazy with taco spices. No more!
These seasonings are super easy to store and use. I just keep a few pouches of each flavor (#obsessed) on hand for quick meals. For a delicious, rich broth, I stir a teaspoon into hot water, and for plant-based proteins, I sprinkle a teaspoon directly onto tofu, seitan, or textured vegetable protein while cooking. With 19 servings per pouch, they’re perfect for meal prepping (ha, what’s that?), and you can grab them individually or in a combo pack to mix things up.
If you want a simple way to elevate your cooking without all the fuss, these seasonings are the way to go. Whether I’m craving the flavors of classic meats or something more adventurous like
taco seasoning or Italian sausage, Plant Basics Just Like Seasonings always make my meals taste incredible.
Buy Plant Basics Seasonings on FakeMeats.com
Sign up for the FakeMeats.com newsletter so you’ll see all of our new products and sales!
Click here to sign up for our newsletter.
Kim Skaff, also known as Mrs. Fake Meats (married to the owner of Fake Meats, LLC.), is a passionate advocate for fake meats, having been vegetarian since 2000 and vegan since 2010. With a deep interest in meat alternatives, Kim researches and follows the latest plant-based trends. As an experienced writer, blogger, and social media influencer, she shares her insights with a broad audience, educating and inspiring others on their plant-based journeys. Her expertise and enthusiasm make her a trusted voice in the community.
|
SHIPPING SPECIAL - $35 Orders Ship for $0.99!* does not include refrigerated shipping; click for details
