10 Foods You May Think Are Vegetarian, but Actually Aren’t

Winetortillas or even vegetable soup are clearly vegetarian, right? Well if you're on vegetable or vegan dietyou can double check. Some foods that appear to be animal-free actually aren't. Surprising ingredients, including animal by-products, are sneaking into everyday foods without much warning.

We spoke to food and drink experts to find out 10 common foods that aren't always suitable for vegetarians. Here's everything you need to know.


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Cheese

Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel cut into slices

Real Parmigiano-Reggiano is not a vegetarian product because it uses rennet in its production.

Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium

Alarmist headlines like to specifically call Parmigiano-Reggiano like non-vegetarian cheese, but Parm is far from the only culprit cheese a category that contains more than just milk.

“The cheese is often non-vegetarian due to the use of rennet, which helps the milk curdle and separate into curds and whey,” they explained. Emily Monacointernational cheese judge and journalist. “Traditionally, rennet is obtained from the stomach of a baby animal: a calf, kid or lamb. [plant-based] Enzymes can be used to achieve a similar effect, and many cheeses are based on animal rennet, especially in France and throughout Europe.

Check the ingredient list or ask your cheesemonger if you're unsure. “Rennet” will almost always mean animal rennet, but “vegetarian rennet”, “microbial rennet”, “thistle rennet” or another coagulant such as lemon juice, acid or vinegar indicate a truly vegetarian cheese.

White or processed sugar

Spoon of sugar on dark purple background

Some types of white sugar are made using bone char.

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Yes, even something as basic as sugar may have non-vegetarian aspects. “There are types of sugar that are processed using bone char, which is made from charred animal bones,” says Maricel Gentile, a culinary instructor, chef and restaurant owner. Kitchen Maricel. “The bone char whitens the sugar.”

Luckily, this doesn't apply to all sugar, but some brands or specific sugar refineries may use bone char, which should rightfully give some vegetarians pause. “Not all white sugar is processed this way. Some use filtration methods that use carbon instead,” Gentile said. “Check the label or look for organic or beet sugar that does not typically use bone char methods.”

Wine

wine bottles

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If you've ever seen a label on a bottle of wine that says it's vegan and wondered why it even needs to be mentioned – all wine should be vegan, right? – well, there is a reason. “Although it may seem strange, not all wines are suitable for vegans,” said the wine journalist. Vicki Denig. “Some producers use animal products to ‘finish’ wines, which essentially means clarifying.”

Depending on how a producer chooses to process their product, many wines will still be considered vegetarian, but not always. “During the purification process, these products basically bind and remove unwanted sediments or substances and are then filtered,” Denig explained. “These products include, but are not limited to, egg whites, casein, gelatin and more.” Isinglass, another element sometimes used to filter wine, is actually a byproduct of fish processing.

Read more: The Best Wine Clubs and Gift Subscriptions in 2025

The surest way to know if a wine is vegan is to look for wines that are labeled as such. Otherwise, until legislation is passed requiring winemakers to include ingredient lists on bottles, you may have to look deep into the manufacturer's website to find out.

Tortillas

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Traditional flatbreads are often made using lard.

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You don't have to be too careful with the tortillas you bring home from the grocery store, but when dining at a Mexican restaurant, it's good to know that a staple component of many Mexican dishes isn't automatically vegetarian. “Traditionally, Mexican tortillas, especially flour tortillas, are made with lard, which adds rich flavor and a desirable texture,” explained Wes Avila, the restaurant's executive chef. MXO in Los Angeles. Lard is processed animal fat and its use may vary by region.

“In contrast, most grocery store tortillas, especially mass-produced ones, often use vegetable oils or no fat at all to meet the needs of a broader audience,” Avila said, “including those who prefer vegetarian or vegan options.” Always check the ingredient list if you are looking for a specific type of tortilla.”

Overcooked beans

tacos with rice and refried beans

Beware of lard or pieces of pork in this Mexican side dish.

Audrey Simonelli/Getty Images

Many bean dishes use prominent pieces of pork, but another element of Mexican cuisine that may seem vegetarian but isn't is refried beans. “In traditional Mexican recipes, refried beans are often prepared using lard,” says the Mexican-American chef and cookbook author. Christine Merkley. Check labels when purchasing packaged refried beans and don't make assumptions when dining out—be sure to ask.

You may find that chefs tailor their refried beans to suit the needs of vegetarian clientele. “A shortening like Crisco also works,” Merkley said, and you can easily adapt a refried bean recipe that calls for lard. “Home cooks can use vegetable oil to make it vegetarian instead, or use plant-based milk or cheese,” she said, to get a completely vegan version.

Pie Crust

fresh apple pie

The reason pie crust tastes so good has a lot to do with lard.

Fresh market

Lard is also a traditional ingredient in dessert menus. “Lard is often used in the pie crust,” Gentile said. “You get a nice scaly texture.” Meat pies are one thing, but yes, pastry chefs often prefer lard even for sweet pies. Even though lard is made from meat, it has a neutral flavor, so you're unlikely to notice a difference between a pie crust that uses lard and one that uses a different type of fat.

However, lard is not universal in restaurants and bakeries, nor in pre-made crusts from grocery stores. “Some people use butter and others use oil,” Gentile explained. “If you don't make your own crust, check the label or ask your baker.”

Caesar dressing

Caesar salad in a bowl

Anchovy puree is often added to Caesar dressing.

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Caesar dressing has a special element that gives it a rich flavor. If you've never witnessed Caesar dressing being made, you might be tempted to believe that it is the cheese (which, again, may not be entirely vegetarian) that gives Caesar its distinctiveness. Without disrespecting the cheese, the depth of the Caesar dressing goes far beyond what can be achieved with cheese alone.

“Caesar dressing takes many vegetarians by surprise because it's made with anchovies, which aren't always obvious on the ingredient list,” said Dennis Littley, the company's chef and recipe expert. Ask Chef Dennis. “Many people assume it's just a creamy dressing of Parmesan, garlic and lemon, but traditional recipes rely on anchovies, which give the dish a deep, savory umami flavor.”

Worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire sauce

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Another common condiment that may be in your refrigerator right now is also a hidden source of anchovies. (Or not so sneaky, if you read the label carefully.) “Many people don't realize that Worcestershire sauce usually contains anchovies because it just adds a rich, savory depth to the food rather than a fishy flavor,” said Rena Awada, the restaurant's owner and chef. Healthy fitness nutrition. “Because you don’t really taste the fishiness, it’s easy to miss,” she said, “until you check the ingredients and realize it’s not vegetarian after all.”

What's more, Worcestershire sauce is a common ingredient in other foods—salad dressings, steak sauces, barbecue sauces or marinades—whose bold flavor may not indicate that they may also contain unexpected seafood.

Gelatin

cup of jelly

Jell-O and similar products get their benefits from gelatin.

Carmen Martinez Torron/Getty Images

You may already know that gelatin itself is an animal byproduct, but if not, “gelatin is made from collagen found in the cartilage, bones and skin of animals,” Gentile said. “Cows and pigs are the most common source. When these parts are simmered, the collagen breaks down into gelatin.”

However, avoiding gelatin means much more than just avoiding jelly if you are a vegan. “When we think of gelatin, we probably all think of things like marshmallows, gummy candies and fruit snacks, but even yogurt, ice cream, sour cream and cream cheese can contain gelatin to stabilize it,” Gentile explained. “Diet,” “light” or “low-fat” foods also often contain additives such as gelatin to make up for the lack of natural binding fats, she said. Even the shell of some vitamin capsules can be made of gelatin.

Vegetable soup

VEGETABLE SOUP IN A BOWL

You'd be surprised how many vegetable soups use chicken broth as a base.

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Soup can often be a source of hidden animal products, as many people use animal broth, such as beef or chicken, which has a deep flavor. Double check soups such as cream of broccoli, mushroom, carrot and so on. All of them can have a meaty base.

Even a simple vegetable soup that appears to have a tomato base can be based on animal broth. Many vegetable soup brands are vegetarian or vegan, but the soup should always be checked on the label.

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