9 Best Vegan & Plant-Based Umami Sources for Richer Flavour | VegMeUp

When we think of delicious, savoury food, umami is often the secret ingredient that makes dishes taste rich and satisfying. Often associated with meat, umami known as the fifth taste can also be found in plant-based foods. The good news? There are plenty of vegan-friendly umami sources that can add depth and flavour to your meals.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your plant-based cooking or just want to experiment with new ingredients, these 9 umami-rich vegan foods will take your dishes to the next level.

 

What Is Umami?

Umami, which means “pleasant savoury taste” in Japanese, is one of the five basic tastes, alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It’s the deep, rich, almost meaty flavour that makes food satisfying and complex.

Why does umami matter?

• It enhances the overall flavour of dishes, making them taste more robust and balanced.
• It adds depth to plant-based meals, reducing the need for excessive salt or artificial flavouring.
• It creates a satisfying mouthfeel, making vegan dishes feel as indulgent as their meat-based counterparts.

So how can you add umami to your plant-based cooking? Let’s dive into the best vegan umami sources.

 

9 Vegan & Plant-Based Umami Sources You Need to Try

1. Mushrooms (Porcini, Shiitake, and Cremini)

Mushrooms are one of the best natural sources of umami. Dried mushrooms, like shiitake or porcini, have an even more concentrated flavour, making them perfect for soups, broths, and stir-fries.

Try Mushroom Stroganoff for a hearty, umami-packed dish.

2. Miso Paste

Miso is a fermented soybean paste packed with glutamates that deliver deep, salty-savoury richness. It’s commonly used in soups, marinades, and dressings. A little miso goes a long way in adding complexity to your meals.

Try Pasta with Creamy Miso Sauce for a delicious umami hit.

3. Nutritional Yeast

Often called “nooch” by plant-based food lovers, nutritional yeast has a naturally cheesy, nutty umami flavour. It’s perfect for sprinkling over popcorn, pasta, and roasted veggies.

Use it in Broccoli Almond Mac & Cheese for a rich, cheesy umami flavour.

4. Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes concentrate natural umami through the drying process, making them much more intense than fresh tomatoes. They add a deep, tangy, and slightly sweet umami boost to pasta dishes, sandwiches, and sauces.

Try Roasted Eggplant Pasta to experience sun-dried tomatoes in action.

5. Fermented Foods (Kimchi & Sauerkraut)

Fermented foods, like kimchi and sauerkraut, enhance umami by breaking down proteins into glutamates. They add a unique tangy-savoury kick to rice bowls, noodles, and wraps.

6. Tamari & Soy Sauce

Soy sauce and its gluten-free alternative, tamari, are classic umami boosters. They add salty, savoury depth to marinades, stir-fries, and broths.

Try Sticky Orange Tofu for a delicious soy-based umami experience.

7. Seaweed (Nori, Kombu, Wakame)

Seaweed is naturally rich in glutamates, making it one of the most powerful plant-based umami sources. It’s commonly used in Japanese cuisine to add depth to broths, sushi, and rice dishes.

8. Black Garlic

Black garlic is slow-aged, fermented garlic, which transforms its flavour into a sweet, molasses-like umami bomb. It’s great in sauces, spreads, and dressings.

9. Smoked & Roasted Ingredients

Cooking methods like roasting, smoking, and charring help bring out natural umami. Smoked paprika, roasted nuts, and grilled vegetables all develop deep umami-rich flavours.

Try the smoky depth of Smokey Jackfruit Burger for an ultimate umami bite.

 

How to Use Umami-Rich Vegan Ingredients in Everyday Cooking?

Now that you know the best plant-based umami sources, here’s how to use them to maximise flavour:

• Combine multiple umami ingredients 

Layering different umami sources, like mushrooms, miso, and tamari, makes meals more flavourful.

• Use umami in broths and sauces

A good broth with kombu, miso, and soy sauce creates a strong flavour base.

• Roast or smoke ingredients

Cooking methods like roasting mushrooms or using smoked paprika help enhance umami naturally.

• Fermentation is your friend

Incorporate fermented foods like kimchi, miso, and black garlic for a depth of flavour.

 

Elevate Your Vegan Cooking with Umami

Adding plant-based umami to your meals is a game-changer! Whether it’s the earthiness of mushrooms, the saltiness of tamari, or the richness of miso, these ingredients bring delicious depth to vegan dishes.

Want to enjoy umami-packed plant-based meals without the prep work? Check out our meal plans for flavourful, satisfying dishes delivered straight to your door!

Have questions? Contact us to learn more about our plant-based meal services!