Is Oxo Vegetable Stock Vegan? A Guide to Ingredients and Alternatives

November 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Oxo's own product information and major supermarket retailers, the standard Oxo vegetable stock cubes are suitable for vegans. For those on a plant-based diet, understanding the specific ingredients in their pantry staples like Oxo vegetable stock is a common and important step to ensure compliance with their lifestyle.

Quick Summary

Oxo vegetable stock cubes and stock pots are suitable for vegans, featuring plant-based ingredients to add depth and flavour to a variety of dishes.

Key Points

Vegan Confirmation: Oxo's standard vegetable stock cubes and stock pots are officially confirmed as suitable for vegans by the manufacturer.
Plant-Based Ingredients: The stock contains no animal-derived ingredients, consisting primarily of salt, potato starch, yeast extract, and a blend of vegetable extracts and seasonings.
Product Variety: Both the classic vegetable stock cubes and the Garden Vegetables stock pots are vegan-friendly, with the pots also being gluten-free.
Recipe Versatility: Oxo vegetable stock can be used to add depth to numerous plant-based dishes, including soups, stews, sauces, and cooking grains.
Label Checking is Key: It is always recommended to check product labels, as ingredients and recipes can sometimes change without notice.
Trusted Brand: For over 100 years, Oxo has been a staple in British kitchens and has now become a reliable option for vegans too.

Is Oxo Vegetable Stock Vegan?

For many years, vegans and those on a plant-based diet have had to meticulously check product labels, especially for items like stock cubes and bouillons, which can sometimes contain hidden animal-derived ingredients. However, the official product pages and retail listings for Oxo's vegetable stock confirm its vegan-friendly status. This reassurance allows cooks to confidently use Oxo vegetable stock as a flavour-rich base for soups, stews, casseroles, and sauces without concern.

The Ingredients that Make it Vegan

An examination of the ingredients list for the standard Oxo vegetable stock cube reveals a composition that is entirely plant-based. The recipe typically includes:

Salt
Potato Starch
Wheat Flour
Dried Glucose Syrup
Flavour Enhancers (Monosodium Glutamate, Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides)
Onion Extract
Flavourings
Palm Oil
Yeast Extract
Tomato Powder
Dried Herbs (Parsley, Thyme)
Sugar
Black Pepper Extract

These ingredients are all sourced from plants or are synthetic, making the product suitable for a vegan diet. It's worth noting that while palm oil is a vegan ingredient, some vegans may choose to avoid it for sustainability reasons. However, from an animal product standpoint, the cubes are free from meat, dairy, eggs, or other animal derivatives.

Oxo's Vegan Stock Range: Cubes vs. Pots

Oxo offers its vegetable stock in a few formats, most notably the classic cubes and the concentrated stock pots. Both are confirmed as vegan-friendly by the manufacturer.

Oxo Vegetable Stock Cubes: The most widely recognised format. They are individually wrapped and easy to crumble into dishes or dissolve in boiling water.
Oxo Garden Vegetables with Parsley & Garlic Stock Pots: These are a more concentrated, paste-like option that offer a slightly different flavour profile. Like the cubes, the manufacturer explicitly states they are suitable for vegans.

Why it's Important to Always Read the Label

While Oxo's vegetable stock is currently vegan, it's a good practice for all consumers, but especially vegans, to check labels regularly. Manufacturers can change their recipes or sourcing without major announcements. Always look for a 'Suitable for Vegans' label or read the ingredients list carefully to be certain. Some flavour enhancers and flavourings can be derived from animal sources, so if the label isn't clear, it's wise to double-check.

Using Oxo Vegetable Stock in Your Vegan Cooking

This versatile stock can be used in countless plant-based dishes to add a savoury, umami depth of flavour. Some popular uses include:

Soups and Stews: A perfect foundation for a warming lentil soup, a hearty vegetable stew, or a classic tomato soup.
Sauces and Gravies: Dissolve a cube to create a rich, vegan gravy for Sunday roasts or a savoury sauce for pasta dishes.
Grains and Rice: Cooking rice, couscous, or quinoa in Oxo stock instead of water adds a significant flavour boost.
Casseroles and Bakes: Crumble a cube directly into your dish to season a vegetable casserole or a vegan shepherd's pie.
Marinades and Sauces: A small amount of stock can be added to marinades for tofu or vegetables to enhance their flavour profile.

Comparison of Vegan Vegetable Stocks


Product	Vegan Status	Format	Gluten-Free	Key Features	Price Range (UK Market)
Oxo Vegetable Stock Cubes	Yes	Cubes	No (Contains Wheat)	Classic flavour, widely available, easy to use.	£
Oxo Garden Vegetable Pots	Yes	Pots	Yes	Concentrated flavour, gluten-free, with parsley & garlic.	££
Knorr Vegetable Stock Cubes	Yes	Cubes	Yes (check packaging)	Often gluten-free, widely available.	£
Kallo Organic Veg Cubes	Yes	Cubes	Yes	Organic, often yeast-free options available.	££
Massel Vegetable Stock	Yes	Cubes/Liquid	Yes	Wide range of vegan options including 'chicken' style.	£££

Conclusion

To answer the question, "is Oxo vegetable stock vegan?", the clear answer is yes, both the standard cubes and the newer stock pots are suitable for vegans. For years, they have provided a convenient, flavourful, and reliable option for enriching plant-based meals. While the recipe is confirmed to be free of animal products, vigilance is always recommended, and being aware of other excellent vegan stock alternatives available, such as Knorr and Kallo, offers even more choice for home cooks. With a range of products to suit different needs, Oxo remains a trusted staple in many vegan kitchens, proving that powerful flavour doesn't have to come from animal sources. For more official information on their products, you can check the OXO website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all Oxo stock cubes are vegan. Only the vegetable stock cubes and the special 'meat-free' or 'vegan' labelled products, such as the vegan beef flavour cubes, are suitable for vegans. The standard beef and chicken cubes contain animal products.

The standard Oxo vegetable stock cubes are not gluten-free as they contain wheat flour. However, the Oxo Garden Vegetables stock pots are explicitly labelled as gluten-free.

The ingredients list is available on the product packaging and is also often listed on major retailer websites, such as Sainsbury's, Ocado, and the official Oxo website.

Yes, the flavour enhancers, monosodium glutamate and disodium 5'-ribonucleotides, used in Oxo vegetable stock are derived from plant-based or synthetic sources and are vegan-friendly.

The yeast extract is derived from brewer's yeast, a common ingredient in vegan cooking used to add a savoury, umami flavour. In Oxo's case, it also contains barley.

Yes, Oxo vegetable stock cubes and pots are an excellent base for creating a rich, savoury vegan gravy. Simply dissolve the stock in boiling water and combine with a thickening agent like cornstarch or flour.

Yes, many other brands offer vegan stock options. Popular alternatives include Knorr vegetable stock cubes and stock pots, Kallo organic vegetable stock cubes, and the various stock products from Massel.