Is Peanut Butter Vegan?
Yes — peanut butter is vegan. Natural peanut butter contains only peanuts (and sometimes salt), which are plants. Commercial peanut butters (Jif, Skippy, Peter Pan) add sugar, palm oil, and salt — all vegan. The one variant to watch: some specialty peanut butters add honey, which is not vegan.
Peanut Butter Ingredient Breakdown
Natural peanut butter (always vegan): Peanuts, salt. Made by grinding dry-roasted peanuts. No additives, no animal products.
Commercial stabilized peanut butter (vegan): Roasted peanuts, sugar, palm oil, salt. Neither sugar, palm oil, nor salt are animal-derived. Jif Creamy, Skippy Creamy, and Peter Pan Creamy are all vegan.
Honey peanut butter (NOT vegan): Any variety labeled “Honey” or “Honey Roasted” adds actual honey. Not vegan. Examples: Jif Honey, Skippy Honey.
Peanut Butter as a Vegan Nutrition Source
Per 2 tablespoons (32 g) of natural peanut butter (USDA, 2024):
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 16 g (mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated)
- Fiber: 2 g
- Niacin: 4.2 mg (26% DV)
Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter: All Vegan
All nut and seed butters in their plain forms are vegan. Check labels for honey additions in flavored varieties.
FAQ
Is Reese’s peanut butter vegan? No. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups contain milk and are not vegan.
Is PB2 (powdered peanut butter) vegan? Yes. PB2 powdered peanut butter (peanuts, sugar, salt) is vegan.
Is natural peanut butter refrigerated? Natural peanut butter, once opened, should be refrigerated and used within 3 months.
For more vegan pantry essentials, visit the snacks and pantry hub. More answers in the Is This Vegan? Q&A category.