Opinion 12 ‘secret weapon’ vegan seasonings to spice up your cooking

Ready to discover some game-changing flavour hacks? Take your vegan cooking to the next level with these go-to plant-based pantry staples, including crispy chilli oil, nutritional yeast, liquid smoke, black salt, and more.

Ready to take your plant-based meals from good to next-level delicious? The secret’s all in the vegan seasonings – and when it comes to making veggie dishes shine, a well-stocked pantry is your new best friend!

We’ve rounded up a list of ‘secret weapon’ vegan seasonings that you absolutely need to have in your arsenal if you want incredible flavour at your fingertips. 

Whether you’re new to plant-based cooking or just looking to spice up your weekly favourites, these flavour-boosting heroes – from bold sauces and spices to umami-packed condiments – are here to help.

So if you’re ready to experiment and maybe even discover your new favourite combo (miso + maple, anyone?), pop these must-have vegan seasonings on your shopping list:

1. Nutritional yeast

Used for: cheesiness, nuttiness, and depth ✨

If your sauces are missing that special something, nutritional yeast (affectionately known as ‘nooch’) is your new best friend. The GOAT of vegan seasonings, these golden flakes are like magic dust for plant-based cooking – adding a rich, nutty, super cheesy flavour with no dairy required. 

This protein-packed cheese substitute melts dreamily into creamy sauces, pastas, soups, and bakes. It’s a game-changer sprinkled on avo toast, roasted vegetables, pasta, and even popcorn. Honestly, if there’s a savoury dish that wouldn’t benefit from a bit of nooch, we haven’t met it yet!

You can find nutritional yeast at Coles and Woolworths, usually in the health food aisle. And fair warning: Once you realise how versatile and addictive this stuff is, you might buy it online in bulk. (Ask me about the time I panic-ordered a 5kg bag and never looked back.)

Put nutritional yeast to the test in this ridiculously indulgent vegan mac & cheese.

2. Black salt

Used for: ‘eggy’ flavour without the eggs 🍳

Here’s a plant-based cooking hack you never knew you needed: Black salt! A popular vegan seasoning also known as kala namak, this pinkish-grey mineral salt packs a subtle yet striking sulphuric flavour that tastes uncannily like eggs.

And it’s seriously potent. A small pinch of black salt can elevate a dish from already pretty tasty to “wait, are you sure this is vegan?!” Try adding some to your next vegan tofu scramble, ‘egg’ salad sandwich, ‘eggs’ benny, quiche, or any savoury recipe that could use an irresistibly ‘eggy’ twist without a single animal product in sight.

Because it’s still a bit of an under-the-radar gem, black salt isn’t always easy to find at Coles or Woolworths. Instead, check your local Asian grocer, spice shop, health food store, or order black salt online – then prepare to wonder how you ever lived without it!

3. Liquid smoke

Used for: hearty BBQ smokiness 🔥

Want to add a deep, smoky BBQ flavour to your plant-based meals, without firing up the grill? Liquid smoke is your secret weapon. A few drops of this intensely aromatic condiment can infuse your tofu, tempeh, mushrooms, marinades, or vegan bacon with that irresistible taste of campfire char.

Liquid smoke shines especially bright in dishes like vegan pulled jackfruit, smoky baked beans, or any other recipe that aims to imitate meaty flavours, like vegan bolognese or homemade sausages.

It works wonders in creamy, ‘cheesy’ vegan recipes, too! Adding a touch of liquid smoke to dishes like fettuccine alfredo, pasta bakes, or savoury tart fillings instantly amplifies the richness, making them even more indulgent and satisfying than usual.

Our honest advice? Skip the wild goose chase at Coles and Woolworths. Liquid smoke is much easier to find online!

4. Vegan cooking stocks

Used for: depth and subtle richness 🌿

Sometimes, building flavour is more about choosing the right vegan seasoning to sprinkle on top – it’s about laying the foundation! Whether stirring up a risotto, soup, or hearty stew, or simply looking to add more flavour to your rice or quinoa, a good-quality vegan cooking stock is pure gold. These brothy beauties bring serious savoury depth and can help round out the flavours of your dish like a warm, umami-rich hug. 

And guess what? It’s not just veggie stock that’s naturally plant-based. Many chicken-style and beef-style stocks at the supermarket are vegan-friendly, too! 

It’s a subtle difference, but using beef-style instead of veggie stock, for example, can help you create some seriously ‘meaty’ vegan meals – everything from bourguignon to stroganoff.

Check out our comprehensive list of vegan-friendly cooking stocks for the best brands to look out for in stores.

5. Miso

Used for: savoury and comforting umami flavours 💕

“Fermented soybean paste” might not sound instantly appetising, but once you start cooking with miso, you’ll never go back.

A go-to vegean seasoning due to its salty, savoury flavour and deep umami kick, miso adds a beautiful complexity to soups, broths, dressings, and glazes. It even works a treat in comfort foods like mashed potatoes and noodles. 

White miso tends to be sweeter and more delicate, while red miso packs a bolder punch – but both are a shortcut to some serious flavour. 

Grab a tub of miso paste from the Asian section of Coles or Woolworths, then try our drool-worthy recipe for miso ramen or this caramelised miso eggplant to experience the miracle of this fermented superfood for yourself.

6. Soy sauce or tamari

Used for: making meals richer and ‘meatier’ 🤤

Looking for something to dial up the savoury factor in, well, just about anything? Soy sauce (or tamari, if you’re after a gluten-free option) is a plant-based powerhouse that delivers boldness, saltiness, and deep umami flavour, with the power to add extra oomph to a huge variety of dishes. 

Whether you splash it into stir-fries, noodles, soups, dressings, or dipping sauces, or use it to marinate tofu, bring out the best in mushroom meatballs, add richness to plant-based mince, or amp up your go-to veggie fried rice, the potential uses for soy sauce are endless. 

This versatile and dependable flavour-booster is one of those vegan pantry staples you’ll find yourself reaching for (and replenishing) again and again.

7. Red wine & white wine

Used for: adding acidity and boldness 🍷

A splash of wine at the last moment is often exactly what elevates a dish and brings all its other flavours into balance. 

White wine brings brightness and acidity – perfect for simmering a subtle edge into creamy sauces, passatas, risottos, and brothy vegetable dishes. Red wine, on the other hand, drops everything into a lower register, adding full-bodied, complex notes that shine in hearty stews, lentil bolognese, and plant-based meat dishes.

Need help finding a vegan-friendly bottle of wine? Barnivore can help! 

8. Vegan ‘fysh’ sauce & oyster sauce

Used for: enhancing Asian flavours and dishes 🍜

Craving that salty, earthy umami flavour you’d usually get from fish or oyster sauce? You’re in luck… There are now delicious plant-based versions that deliver all the same depth, just with nothing fishy!

These 1:1 vegan alternatives make it easy to adapt all your favourite stir-fries, curries, noodle dishes, and salad recipes. They’re perfect for adding a telltale hint of the ocean to plant-based seafood recipes like these crispy tofu crab cakes. 

Look out for Niulife Cocomino Vegan ‘Fysh’ Sauce at Woolworths, and Ayam Vegetarian Oyster Sauce in the Asian foods section of most major supermarkets.

9. Vegan teriyaki sauce

Used for: effortlessly marinating anything 👌

Whether stir-frying, roasting, or grilling, teriyaki sauce is one of those magical condiments that makes everything taste better. With its perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami-rich flavours, it can turn tofu, tempeh, plant-based meats, and veggies into seriously irresistible bites.

You can whip some up at home or use a trusty store-bought version – either way, vegan teriyaki sauce is a total crowd-pleaser. It adds a gorgeous sticky glaze and deep flavour with barely any effort, making it one of our favourite go-to marinades for quick weeknight dinners. 

Try brushing it over roasted eggplant, tossing it through noodles, or using it to amp up protein-packed dishes like these teriyaki tofu skewers – they’re as tasty as they are simple to make!

10. Crispy chilli oil

Used for: heat, crunch, and intensity 🌶️

Looking to turn up the spice and the flavour? A good crispy chilli oil brings the spiciness and the crunch, adding a fiery kick, bold aroma, and irresistible texture to almost anything you drizzle it on. Stir well before serving to scoop up all those crispy bits, and start with a small spoonful. This life-changing vegan seasoning builds heat fast!

Crispy chilli oil is a game-changer for noodles, dumplings, rice bowls, and salads – even avocado toast if you’re feeling adventurous. Whether you make your own at home or pick up a cult-favourite brand like Laoganma crispy chilli oil, it’s a must-have in the pantry for anyone who likes a little intensity with their plant-based meals.

We love it in dishes like spicy sesame noodles or steamed silken tofu, both packed with flavour and seriously satisfying.

11. Lemon juice

Used for: brightening up your meals 🍋

When in doubt, add a squeeze of lemon! This humble citrus fruit is one of the simplest (and most effective) ways to ‘wake up’ a dish. Just a dash can bring a flat-tasting meal to life, enhancing the natural flavours of your ingredients, adding complexity, and balancing out heavy or creamy components with a refreshing zing.

Acidity is one of the key elements of a well-balanced dish (alongside salt, fat, and sweetness), and lemon juice is a superstar in that department. It can transform a one-dimensional meal into something vibrant and moreish, without overpowering the flavours.

Top tip: Add lemon juice towards the end of cooking or right before serving. If added too early, the acidity can mellow out or turn slightly bitter during the cooking process.

This zesty trick works wonders in pasta dishes, fresh salads, sauces, curries, dips, roasted veggies, and more. It’s also the secret hero in some of our favourite recipes – like this creamy vegan ricotta or our refreshing chickpea ‘tuna’ salad. 

12. Coconut milk

Used for: adding richness and a creamy texture 🥥

Canned coconut milk is a plant-based staple for good reason: It brings a luxurious creaminess and a hint of natural sweetness to everything it touches. Whether you’re whipping up a fragrant curry, a velvety soup, or an indulgent dessert, coconut milk is your go-to for adding depth and decadence.

For the creamiest results, use full-fat coconut milk. Before opening, remember to shake the can well to combine the thick cream and coconut water. 

Coconut milk is the ultimate proof that you don’t need dairy to make something creamy and delicious! It works well in both sweet and savoury dishes – perfect for making sauces silky smooth or adding moisture and flavour to cakes, muffins, and puddings.

You’ll find it starring in plenty of our favourite recipes – from Thai-inspired curries and soups to coconut-based chocolate ice cream and other dreamy desserts.

The more you play with balancing flavours, the more you’ll get a feel for it! 

These ‘secret weapon’ vegan seasonings are just the tip of the iceberg to level up your plant-based cooking. From vegan gravy and pesto to mayo, dairy-free cheese, cream, curry paste, and all kinds of pantry staples, there’s a whole world of mouthwatering vegan flavour out there just waiting to be explored.

So stock your shelves, fire up your tastebuds, and have fun experimenting – your next favourite dish might be just one seasoning shake or drizzle away!

Need some extra help putting together the ultimate plant-based pantry? Check out our beginner’s vegan grocery list for more tips.