Vegetarian Spices & Seasonings Guide
18 items classified under standard Vegetarian guidelines.
How do spices & seasonings fare on the Vegetarian diet? The answer depends on whether the food is the flesh of an animal. This guide breaks down all 18 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.
Good news for Vegetarian followers: all spices & seasonings fit the diet. These foods are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Calories (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Allowed | 23kcal |
| Black Pepper | Allowed | 279kcal |
| Cayenne Pepper | Allowed | 318kcal |
| Chili Powder | Allowed | 139kcal |
| Cinnamon | Allowed | 253kcal |
| Cumin | Allowed | 375kcal |
| Everything Bagel Seasoning | Allowed | 264kcal |
| Garlic Powder | Allowed | 331kcal |
| Ginger | Allowed | 80kcal |
| Nutmeg | Allowed | 884kcal |
| Onion Powder | Allowed | 341kcal |
| Oregano | Allowed | 265kcal |
| Paprika | Allowed | 282kcal |
| Saffron | Allowed | 310kcal |
| Salt | Allowed | 0kcal |
| Taco Seasoning | Allowed | 170kcal |
| Turmeric | Allowed | 312kcal |
| Vanilla Extract | Allowed | 288kcal |
Classification Breakdown
18 Allowed — These spices & seasonings are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey).
Lacto-ovo vegetarian includes dairy and eggs. Hidden traps: animal rennet in cheese, anchovies in Worcestershire, lard in baked goods.
Allowed Spices & Seasonings (18)
Basil
AllowedWith 23kcal calories per 100g, Basil earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 18 items in this category, basil sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Ginger at 80kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Black Pepper
AllowedAt 279kcal calories per 100g, Black Pepper falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Oregano and Paprika for calories, ranking 9 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cayenne Pepper
AllowedCayenne Pepper is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 318kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 12g protein and 17.3g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Turmeric at 312kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Chili Powder
AllowedWith 139kcal calories per 100g, Chili Powder earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, chili powder also provides 13.3g protein and 8.2g fat per 100g. Among the 18 items in this category, chili powder sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Taco Seasoning at 170kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cinnamon
AllowedAt 253kcal calories per 100g, Cinnamon falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.1g protein and 5.3g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Taco Seasoning and Everything Bagel Seasoning for calories, ranking 6 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cumin
AllowedCumin is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 375kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 17.8g protein and 22.3g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Onion Powder at 341kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Everything Bagel Seasoning
AllowedEverything Bagel Seasoning is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 264kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 10.6g protein and 422mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cinnamon and Oregano for calories, ranking 7 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Garlic Powder
AllowedGarlic Powder is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 331kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.6g protein and 9g fiber per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cayenne Pepper at 318kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Ginger
AllowedAt 80kcal calories per 100g, Ginger falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 18 items in this category, ginger sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Chili Powder at 139kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nutmeg
AllowedWith 884kcal calories per 100g, Nutmeg earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, nutmeg also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cumin at 375kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Onion Powder
AllowedOnion Powder is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 341kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 10.4g protein and 15.2g fiber per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Garlic Powder at 331kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Oregano
AllowedWith 265kcal calories per 100g, Oregano earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 9g protein and 42.5g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Everything Bagel Seasoning and Black Pepper for calories, ranking 8 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Paprika
AllowedWith 282kcal calories per 100g, Paprika earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, paprika also provides 14.1g protein and 12.9g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Black Pepper and Vanilla Extract for calories, ranking 10 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Saffron
AllowedAt 310kcal calories per 100g, Saffron falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, saffron also provides 11.4g protein and 5.9g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Vanilla Extract and Turmeric for calories, ranking 12 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Salt
AllowedAt 0kcal calories per 100g, Salt falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 38800mg sodium per serving. Among the 18 items in this category, salt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Basil at 23kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Taco Seasoning
AllowedAt 170kcal calories per 100g, Taco Seasoning falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 6.7g protein and 9.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Chili Powder and Cinnamon for calories, ranking 5 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Turmeric
AllowedAt 312kcal calories per 100g, Turmeric falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 9.7g protein and 22.7g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Saffron and Cayenne Pepper for calories, ranking 13 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Vanilla Extract
AllowedAt 288kcal calories per 100g, Vanilla Extract falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Paprika and Saffron for calories, ranking 11 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central