Is Pectin Vegan? A Vegan Dietitian Chimes In

Is pectin vegan? You’re not the first, nor the last person, to google this question.

So let me answer your question directly in the intro, in case you’re short on time.

Yes, pectin is vegan. At least, most of the time.

I invite you to keep reading if you want to find out more about what pectin is, what it does, the small instances in which it may not be vegan, how to make your own, and suitable alternatives to it.

Table of contents

• What is pectin?
• What is pectin made of?
• What is pectin used for?
• How is pectin made?
• Can I make my own pectin?
• Can vegans eat pectin?
• Is pectin the same as gelatin?
• Why is jam sometimes not vegan?
• Can I use pectin instead of gelatin?
• Other vegan alternatives to pectin

What is pectin?

Pectin is a type of soluble fiber extracted from plants that can trap the water contained in foods, creating a gel-like texture.

Pectin is commonly used as a gelling agent in jams, jellies, baked goods, and dairy products. 

It is also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to make cholesterol-lowering medications, cancer treatments, and medications for gut disorders.

Pectin can also be used in various other industries, such as to make paper substitutes, foams, coatings and edible films (1).

In sum: Pectin is a soluble fiber used to create a gel-like texture in jams, jellies, baked goods, and dairy products. It is also commonly used in various other industries.

What is pectin made of?

Pectin is found naturally in fruit and vegetables, especially in their peels. 

Currently, the majority of pectin available on the market is extracted from citrus or apple peels (1).

Pectin can be purchased either as a liquid or powder. There are also two different types of pectin available for use (1, 2):

• High-methoxylated pectin (HMP): specialty product that’s more difficult to find in grocery stores. Better able to withstand high cooking temperatures. Need low pH (typically lower than 3.5) and added sugar in order to gel.
• Low-methoxylated pectin (LMP): easier to find in grocery stores. Better for recipes that don’t require a high temperature to set, like jams and jellies. Gels at higher pHs (typically 4-7) without the need for added sugar. 

Many of the pectins you can purchase have been treated to work best for one specific purpose or under a set of specific conditions. For instance,  pectins to make a glaze or pectins that work with recipes that have a low pH and low sugar content.

This is done by mixing different types of pectins with other ingredients such as salts, calcium, or sugar. This can help regulate pH levels, ensure gel creation or prevent the formation of lumps. 

In sum: Pectin is typically extracted from the peels of fruit and vegetables, mainly citrus and apple peels. You can purchase it in different types and forms, depending on what you wish to use it for. 

What is pectin used for?

Pectin is usually used to make jams, jellies and marmalades.

It is also used as a replacement for gelatin in vegetarian and vegan recipes. 

Gelatin is a gelling agent that offers food a recognizable creamy mouthfeel. However, gelatin is made from ground up animal skin, bones, and other tissues. Because of this, vegetarian and vegan recipes won’t use this ingredient. 

Instead they can use pectin, which, when combined with plant-based thickeners such as guar gum, helps re-create the creamy mouthfeel of gelatin while using only plant-based ingredients.  

In sum: Pectin is often used as a plant-based replacement for gelatin in recipes. It is often combined with plant-based thickeners such as guar gum to re-create the creamy mouthfeel of gelatin without the animal-based components. 

Which foods contain pectin?

Pectin is a versatile ingredient used to modify the texture and consistency of various foods.  You can find it in:

• Jam, jellies, marmalades: pectin acts as a natural gelling agent, which helps these spreads acquire a more easily spreadable, gel-like texture. 
• Fruit fillings: pectin binds the fruit juices together, helping the filling set. This helps prevent the fruit filling from becoming too runny. 
• Dairy alternatives: pectin is used as a thickening agent in plant-based yogurts, creams, and cheeses. It helps dairy-free alternatives gain a creamy and smooth texture that’s similar to the dairy versions. 
• Vegan candy: pectin is sometimes used instead of gelatin in vegan gummies. 

In sum: The foods most likely to contain pectin include jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit fillings, dairy alternatives and vegan candies. 

How is pectin made?

Pectin is extracted from fruit peels, and other pectin-rich components of fruits such as the pulp, seeds, or stems.

There are several ways in which this pectin can be extracted. For instance, boiling microwave heating, ultrasonic, autoclave, and electromagnetic induction. It can also be extracted with the use of acids, or enzymes (1). 

Can I make my own pectin?

You can most definitely make your own pectin. It’s actually pretty simple to make, but won’t last as long as commercially-produced powdered or liquid forms. 

To make your own pectin at home:

1. Wash seven large tart apples, and cut them in quarters, without removing the peel or cores. 
2. Boil in four cups (1.9 L) of water mixed with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of lemon juice for 40 minutes, stirring once after 20 minutes. 
3. One finished boiling, let the mixture strain through a cheesecloth overnight.
4. The next day, boil the strained pectin until its volume is reduced by half. 
5. You can store your homemade pectin in the refrigerator for up to four days, or keep in the freezer for up to six months.  

Check out this detailed homemade pectin recipe for more in-depth instructions.

In sum: Pectin can be extracted from fruit and vegetables in various ways. The most common include boiling, using acids, or enzymes. Pectin can be made at home, but will typically have a shorter shelf-life than store-bought pectin. 

Can vegans eat pectin?

Yes. Pectin is derived from plants, making it appropriate for vegans to eat. 

Does pectin contain animal products?

Pectin is extracted from plants, not animals. 

That said, sometimes, pectin may be extracted by using enzymes that are derived from animals. 

Those who wish to avoid all traces of animal-derived ingredients may wish to choose pectins (or pectin-containing foods) that are certified vegan. 

However, a pectin-containing food that isn’t certified vegan doesn’t automatically mean that the pectin found in it was extracted using animal-derived enzymes.

If you’re worried about the extraction method used, you can always ask the food manufacturer. 

Is pectin dairy-free?

Pectin is dairy-free. However, the enzymes used to derive it may not always be. 

In case of doubt, inquire directly with the manufacturer, or simply opt for a vegan-certified pectin or pectin-containing product.

In sum: Vegans can eat pectin. However, pectin can sometimes be extracted using animal-derived ingredients. Opt for vegan-certified pectin, or contact the manufacturer if you wish to make sure that your pectin is 100% vegan. 

Is pectin the same as gelatin?

No. Pectin and gelatin are often used for the same purposes. However, they’re derived from two completely different sources. 

Pectin is derived from fruit and/or vegetable peels, making it a plant-based product. 

Gelatin is derived from the skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage of animals, making it unsuitable for vegans (3).

Why is jam sometimes not vegan?

Most jams are vegan.

That said, some jams may contain gelatin, which, as mentioned previously, is a non-vegan ingredient. 

Jams can also sometimes contain certain e-numbers that are not vegan. For instance, E120 (also known as carmine), which is derived from dried insects, or E252, which is a non-vegan preservative.

Check out this well-researched, more in-depth article if you wish to learn more about which e-numbers are vegan or not. 

In sum: Pectin and gelatin aren’t the same. Pectin is derived from plants, making it suitable for vegans. Gelatin is derived from animals, making it unsuitable for vegans. 

Can I use pectin instead of gelatin?

Pectin is a suitable plant-based alternative to gelatin. 

Just keep in mind that pectin and gelatin do have some structural differences. 

Because of this, you may not always be able to reproduce the exact same texture offered by gelatin with pectin. This may be especially true of recipes such as mousses or gummies. 

You may also need to adjust the amount of pectin used when substituting it for gelatin in a recipe.

Depending on the type of pectin you’re using, you may also need to add an acid and/or sugar for best results. 

Each recipe will likely require some experimentation with the amount of pectin to use for best gelling results. 

Agar-agar is an alternative plant-based gelatin substitute you may want to consider using in recipes in which pectin doesn’t quite do the trick instead of gelatin. 

In sum: Yes, you can. However, you’ll likely need to experiment to figure out the exact amount of pectin needed for each of your recipes. 

Other vegan alternatives to pectin

Here are a few vegan-friendly alternative thickeners and sabilizers to pectin:

• Agar: also known as “agar-agar,” is derived from seaweed. Is versatile thickening agent, that can create a firm, sliceable texture. Often used to make vegan cheese, or puddings, jellies and custards.
• Xanthan gum: derived from fermenting a carbohydrate with strains of the xanthomas campestris bacteria. Xanthan gum is often used in gluten-free baking to help give the dough a sticky consistency. 
• Chia seeds: chia seeds can absorb liquids to form a gel-like consistency. They can be used to thicken sauces, jams, and jellies.
• Flaxseeds: ground flaxseeds can also absorb liquids, providing a thicker texture to your vegan recipes and dishes. 
• Cornstarch: mostly used to thicken soups or sauces. For best results, make sure to dissolve it in cold liquid prior to adding to hot mixtures. 

In sum: A few vegan-friendly alternatives to pectin include agar, xanthan gum, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and cornstarch. 

To sum it all up

Pectin is a soluble fiber that’s most commonly extracted from citrus and apple peels. 

It’s a common ingredient in jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit fillings, dairy alternatives, and vegan candies. It’s also a suitable plant-based alternative to gelatin. 

Vegans can definitely eat pectin. Just keep in mind pectin is sometimes extracted using animal-derived enzymes.

Seek vegan-certified products if you wish to make sure that your pectin, or pectin-containing food is one hundred percent vegan. Alternatively, you can ask the manufacturer about their pectin-extracting process.