Is Liquid Smoke Vegan? An Investigative Ingredient Breakdown

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the chemistry of ingredients to determine their origin. For this analysis, we are looking at a standard liquid smoke formula containing: water, mesquite smoke flavor, distilled vinegar, hydrolyzed soy protein, corn protein, sugar, caramel color, spices, and sodium benzoate.

The vast majority of these ingredients are unequivocally vegan. Water, mesquite smoke flavor (created by condensing smoke from burning wood), and distilled vinegar are all derived from plant sources or physical processes. The hydrolyzed soy and corn protein act as flavor enhancers and mouthfeel agents, and they are strictly plant-based.

The primary red flag for vegans is the sugar. In the United States, a significant portion of refined white sugar is processed using bone char—charred animal bones—to filter and bleach the sugar crystals. While the sugar itself is chemically plant-derived, the processing aid is animal-based. Unless the manufacturer specifically states that their sugar is organic, unrefined, or certified vegan (cane sugar), it is often considered non-vegan by strict standards.

Other ingredients like caramel color (heated sugar) and sodium benzoate (a preservative) are synthetic or plant-derived and do not pose vegan concerns.

Nutritional Value

Liquid smoke is used in such small quantities that its nutritional impact is negligible. It is essentially a flavoring agent, not a food source. A teaspoon contains roughly 5 calories and 1 gram of sugar.

Because it is highly concentrated, you are not consuming significant amounts of fat, protein, or carbohydrates. It fits easily into almost any diet, including keto and paleo, provided you are comfortable with the sugar sourcing. The sodium content is generally low compared to other condiments like soy sauce or ketchup.