Is Oxo Chicken Stock Vegan? A Guide to the Meat-Free Range

November 9, 2025 •

2 min read

While the traditional Oxo chicken stock cubes contain animal products, the brand has introduced a separate 'Meat-Free Vegan Chicken Flavour' version that is suitable for vegans. This distinction is crucial for those following a plant-based diet, as not all stock products from the same brand are created equal.

Quick Summary

The standard Oxo chicken stock contains animal-derived ingredients like chicken fat and concentrate. Oxo also offers a specific vegan 'chicken flavour' stock cube, made with plant-based ingredients for a similar taste without meat products.

Key Points

Standard vs. Vegan: The traditional Oxo chicken stock contains animal products, but Oxo produces a specific 'Meat-Free Vegan Chicken Flavour' cube.
Check Labels Carefully: Always look for the 'suitable for vegans' label, as the standard and vegan chicken stock packages can look similar.
Animal Ingredients: Standard Oxo chicken stock contains ingredients like chicken fat and concentrated chicken extract, making it non-vegan.
Vegan Alternatives: In addition to Oxo's own vegan options, brands like Massel and Knorr offer vegan stock, as does homemade vegetable stock.
Read Ingredient Lists: If labels are ambiguous, checking for animal-derived ingredients like 'chicken fat' or 'chicken extract' will confirm a product's vegan status.
Palm Oil: Some vegans avoid certain stock products containing palm oil; this is a consideration to keep in mind when checking ingredients.

Understanding the Difference: Standard vs. Vegan Oxo Chicken Stock

For individuals on a plant-based diet, reading product labels is essential, and Oxo stock cubes are no exception. The answer to 'Is Oxo chicken stock vegan?' depends entirely on which product you pick up. The traditional, non-vegan version is a familiar kitchen staple for many but is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians due to its animal-based ingredients.

The Non-Vegan Oxo Chicken Stock

The standard Oxo chicken stock cubes and stock pots contain chicken fat and concentrated chicken extract, making them unsuitable for a vegan diet. Key ingredients include wheat flour, salt, dried glucose syrup, flavour enhancers, yeast extract, chicken fat (3%), potato starch, sugar, concentrated chicken extract (2%), and colour.

The Vegan Oxo 'Chicken Flavour' Stock Cubes

Oxo offers 'Oxo Meat Free Vegan Chicken Flavour Stock Cubes' which are explicitly suitable for vegans. For a full list of ingredients, see {Link: Sainsbury's website https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/oxo-chicken-flavour-stock-cubes-x12-71g}. Always check for the 'suitable for vegans' label.

Vegan Alternatives to Oxo Chicken Stock

Beyond the specific vegan Oxo 'chicken flavour' cubes, several other vegan stock options are available:

Oxo Vegetable Stock Cubes: Widely available and vegan-friendly.
Knorr Vegetable Stock Cubes: Another popular brand with vegan vegetable stock.
Massel Chicken Stock Cubes: Massel is known for vegan-friendly stocks, including a chicken flavour.
Homemade Vegan Stock: Made by simmering vegetable scraps, herbs, and spices.

Comparison Table: Oxo Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Stock


Feature	Standard Oxo Chicken Stock	Oxo Meat Free Vegan Chicken Flavour	Oxo Vegetable Stock	Homemade Vegan Stock
Vegan Friendly?	No	Yes	Yes	Yes (if prepared with vegan ingredients)
Key Flavour Ingredient	Concentrated Chicken Extract, Chicken Fat	Plant-Based Flavouring, Yeast Extract	Vegetables, Herbs	Vegetable scraps, Herbs, Spices
Animal Products	Yes (Chicken)	No	No	No
Availability	Widely available	Widely available	Widely available	Made fresh at home
Typical Cost	Low	Low to Moderate	Low	Low (utilises food scraps)

How to Ensure You Pick the Right Product

To confirm a product is vegan, carefully check the packaging for explicit vegan labeling or a green circle logo. Be wary of products simply labelled 'chicken stock' as they are likely not vegan. The vegan version is typically marked as 'vegan chicken flavour' or 'meat-free'. The ingredient list is the most reliable check for animal-derived components like chicken fat or extract. Resources like {Link: VeganFriendly.org.uk https://www.veganfriendly.org.uk/is-it-vegan/stock-cubes/} can also provide helpful guidance.

Conclusion

While traditional Oxo chicken stock contains animal products, Oxo offers a distinct 'Meat-Free Vegan Chicken Flavour Stock Cubes' product suitable for vegans. Along with Oxo's vegetable stock and options from other brands like Massel, vegans have several choices for incorporating chicken flavour into their cooking without using animal products. Always examine product labels and ingredient lists to confirm vegan suitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, standard Oxo chicken stock cubes contain concentrated chicken extract and chicken fat, which are derived from animal products and are therefore not vegan.

To ensure an Oxo stock cube is vegan, look for packaging explicitly labelled 'Meat Free Vegan Chicken Flavour' or carrying a 'suitable for vegans' mark. Always double-check the ingredients list for confirmation.

The vegan version is made from ingredients like wheat flour, dried glucose syrup, salt, yeast extract, palm oil, and plant-based flavourings to mimic the taste of chicken, without using any animal products. A full ingredient list can be found at {Link: Sainsbury's website https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/oxo-chicken-flavour-stock-cubes-x12-71g}.

No, standard Oxo chicken stock is not suitable for vegetarians, as it contains chicken fat and concentrated chicken extract. Vegetarians should opt for the specific vegan or vegetable stock alternatives.

Yes, Oxo vegetable stock cubes are suitable for vegans, providing a full-bodied, plant-based flavour for soups, stews, and other dishes.

No, Oxo offers a variety of stock products, including several vegan-friendly options such as the 'Meat Free Vegan Chicken Flavour' and vegetable stock cubes.

Excellent vegan alternatives include Oxo's own vegetable stock, Massel chicken stock cubes, or a simple homemade vegetable broth made from simmering vegetable scraps and herbs.