When you first go vegan, it can be a bit intimidating having to familiarise yourself with suitable products.
The first step is shopping for things with the vegan label, but not all vegan foods are clearly labeled as vegan.
You’d actually be surprised to know there are actually quite a few staple food products that are accidentally vegan.
I’ve put together a list of accidentally vegan staple foods that can be found in most supermarkets and corner shops in the UK.
Breads, wraps, rotis and bread-like products
Something that may come as a surprise, there are a lot of accidentally vegan milk free breads.
Bread
You may or may not be surprised to know that most bread is accidentally vegan! We’re talking from baguettes, rolls to sliced Kingsmill bread.
Always be sure to read the label, but you’d be glad to know that most bread is accidentally vegan.
Breadcrumbs
This applies to the regular golden and panic breadcrumbs you find in the world foods aisle.
So next time you want to make some crispy cauliflower bites, rest assured that vegan breadcrumbs aren’t that hard to find!
Crumpets
For those who love a buttery crumpet on a rainy day; you’d be glad to know that Warburtons crumpets, the most popular brand, are naturally vegan!
Pitta bread
Pitta bread is a nice cheap bread that goes great in Mediterranean meals and even just toasted and buttered.
You’ll be glad to know that even supermarket brands tend to leave out animal ingredients.
Pre-made pastry
This one’s one to be careful of, considering there are some variations of pastry that do include milk.
If you’re getting the puff pastry block you’re fine, perfect for any vegan pot pie recipes.
Nishaan Roti wraps
Being the go-to brand for myself personally, you’d be glad to know that roti is also a naturally vegan staple food.
Pappadoms
I love me some poppadoms with my curry.
These are also naturally vegan, made with lentil flour and oil really. The Sharwood & Patak’s brands seem safe so long as you get the original flavour.
Taco shells
Taco shells are an accidentally vegan staple food, made of corn flour and oil, typically. Old el paso as well as supermarkets tending to have similar recipes.
Tortilla wraps
Tortilla wraps are typically made of flour and water really, on some occasions you may see a variation with milk in the ingredients, so keep your eyes peeled.
Pasta & noodles
For those looking for accidentally vegan, egg-free pasta, check this list!
Gnocchi
Gnocchi is typically made with flour and potato, in this case with most brand variations not containing milk!
Noodles
In terms of accidentally vegan noodles, we can use a few examples, some of which including:
Rice noodles
Udon noodles (always check label)
Wholewheat noodles
Always remember to check the ingredients list as many pastas, especially the fresh variations tend to contain egg.
That being said, it’s still better to check the ingredients list even if you’re in the dry noodles section.
Pasta
Pasta is another funny one, where you’ll have to ensure if there’s egg or not in the ingredient list, but more often than not, we tend to commonly find vegan versions of the following:
Conchiglie
Fetucine
Fusilli
Macaroni
Penne
Tagliatelle
Spaghetti
With the same premise as noodles, the fresh variation of pasta tends to contain egg.
It’s important to make sure you read the ingredients before buying.
Sauces & dips
For those looking for sauces and dips that are free of animal products, this is the list for you.
Barbecue sauce
BBQ sauce is generally vegan, considering the ingredients list doesn’t call for dairy.
Just make sure you check the ingredients to make sure.
Brown sauce
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but good to know for who likes brown sauce.
The common brand, HP, tends to be accidentally vegan for those curious.
Hot sauce
Hot sauce can be branded or unbranded, Tobasco being one of the big ones, these tend to just be made of spices and flavourings.
Some Nandos sauces have milk in ‘em so always double check.
Ketchup
Ketchup in any sense of variation is always vegan, I mean, as far as I know…
Just know the Heinz, supermarket and chip shop brands always are!
Mustard
Mustard is another funny one, where some brands may contain milk, although uncommon.
The original Colman’s brand of English mustard is naturally vegan, as well as some American style variations on the same shelf.
Cooking sauces
Those transitioning would also need a good arsenal of cooking sauces on-hand, here’s your accidentally vegan list!
Dolmio
Dolmio is another accidentally vegan essential, just in case you needed a go-to for your next spag bol.
Just be careful with the creamy variations, needless to say, these may contain dairy in cream form.
Pataks
This one’s one for those who pay attention to ingredient lists, with a good few variations such as Korma and Madras being accidentally vegan.
If you don’t check, you may accidentally get you something with yoghurt in it.
Sweet & sour sauce
Sweet and sour sauce is typically vegan, despite a few more authentic brands tending to use shellfish or other extracts.
Just make sure you read the label and pick smartly.
Soy sauce
Soy sauce is and always has been, naturally vegan!
Teriyaki sauce
Most teriyaki sauces found in the Supermarket are vegan.
Just make sure your version doesn’t contain honey, as that would make it not vegan.
Tamari
Another variation of soy sauce, naturally vegan by accident!
Dips
Some accidentally vegan dips for you guys to enjoy crackers and raw veggies with.
Baba ganush
Babaganush, being a naturally vegan dip with an eggplant base, can sometimes contain milk and even egg if you’re not careful.
Always read the label.
Guacamole
Guacamole is typically made free of animal-based additives, although I prefer making making homemade guac.
Hummus
Hummus is another naturally vegan dip, perfect for dipping your pitta bread. Supermarket and marked brands are typically vegan.
Salsa
Salsa is accidentally vegan, being made of tomatoes and spices.
It’s rare that there’s any extras or additives, even in the Doritos dips.
Pre-cooked rice and noodles
For those looking for more of a ready meal. Try these accidentally vegan rice and pasta foods you can find in the supermarket.
Heinz hoops
An old childhood favourite of mine, you may be comforted to know that Heinz spaghetti hoops are accidentally vegan!
Just make sure there’s no unwanted meat in there like sausage or whatever.
Sweet & Sour pot noodles
The only vegan-friendly flavour, probably to change soon, but that’s it as far as Pot Noodle’s concerned.
Good to know there’s still an option though right?
Super noodles
Super noodles just need a check of the ingredients to confirm which flavours; as far as we’re concerned, chow mein and mild curry are accidentally vegan.
Uncle bens rice
Uncle Bens has always been a quick go-to for if you’re too lazy to make rice, with golden vegetable and other plain flavours being naturally vegan.
Make sure you double check for other flavours, sometimes “natural flavours” can be a bit too vague for my liking.
Cereals & oats
Some accidentally vegan cereal brands and oats.
Coco shreddies
Already mentioned on our previous post accidentally vegan snacks in the UK, this is another accidentally vegan staple food that’s pretty surprising to have here.
Cornflakes
For those who want a plainer breakfast, I personally like them with agave and chopped banana. These are accidentally vegan, although quite obvious.
Choc chip weetabix
Another nice chocolatey cereal that’s accidentally vegan! One of my personal favourites.
Quaker Oats
Quaker oats is accidentally vegan, only for the original and granola raisin varieties. It’s disappointing to know their golden syrup satchet variation has milk in it.
Other pantry essentials
Other pantry essentials that are accidentally vegan, perfect for the shopping list.
Baked beans
A breakfast essential, for bean on toast connoisseurs, and for those trying to veganise a full English. You’d be happy to know that Heinz baked beans are accidentally vegan.
Baxters vegetarian soup
I wish it was as simple as we’d want it, but there are many variations of Baxter’s soups that have milk in it, despite looking vegan.
The main vegan friendly flavours after I checked, are:
Mediterrainean tomato
Carrot & butterbean
Puy lentil & tomato
Lentil & vegetable
Bisto (original)
This one you got to be careful with, in this case you’re safe with the vegetable flavour. Original is iffy due to the inclusion of Disodium 5′- ribonucleotides which may or may not be vegan, so best to avoid that if possible.
Custard (powder)
Bird’s custard powder, the go-to for many Brits, tends to also be accidentally vegan. Although it is commonly overlooked as people tend to relate it to milk, which of course isn’t vegan.
Jalapeños
Jalapeños are a naturally vegan pickled food, and delicious. Don’t fret next time you go for them in the shopping aisle.
Jam
Jam is typically made from fruits and sugar.
Although some variations may contain gelatin, be vigilant as they don’t tend to typically highlight it if included in ingredient lists.
Marmite (and Vegemite)
Love it or hate it, Marmite is a British favourite. Made from yeast extract, rest assured that it is vegan. The same can be said for Vegemite, the Australian favourite.
Olives
Olives are naturally vegan in nature, as they grow on trees.
Just be careful when selecting a jar of them as sometime they contain extra unwanted ingredients such as anchovies or shell fish.
Peanut butter
Peanut butter, despite the name including butter, doesn’t actually contain butter. You should be safe to grab whichever type, whether you’re a chunky or smooth pb person.
Pickles
Pickles are typically vegan too, literally pickled cucumbers.
But again, just make sure there’s no unwanted chemicals in there you may not want to see.
Stuffing (paxo brand)
Stuffing is great around Christmas time, especially with the new vegan meats they’re making nowadays, it’s getting difficult to tell the difference.
Even more so now that we can use the same stuffing you probably grew up with, a great accidentally vegan staple.
Tinned tomatoes
Tinned tomatoes, essential for pasta dishes, and stews, is another accidentally vegan staple food.
Accidentally vegan staple foods in the UK
We hope you enjoyed our list of accidentally vegan staple foods; hopefully there’s a good few you like on the list, vegan or not, there’s a little something for everyone.
