Trying to find out if Costco apple pie is vegan can be difficult.
Apple pies often contain many ingredients and some of them may be of animal origin.
To make sure you are only eating vegan food that aligns with your ethics and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Costco’s apple pie.
Here’s what I found.
Is Costco Apple Pie Vegan?
No. Costco’s giant apple pie is not vegan.
Costco’s apple pie contains several animal-derived ingredients, including butter, sugar, and mono- and diglycerides.
Butter is, of course, a dairy product, and it is not vegan.
Sugar is a plant-based product but is often processed with animal bone char to make it whiter. Unless the sugar is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
And mono- and diglycerides can be of animal or plant origin but are usually derived from animals.
These ingredients make Costco’s apple pie not suitable for vegan consumers.
Is Costco Apple Pie Cruelty Free?
Yes! Costco apple pie is a cruelty-free product.
Costco apple pie is not tested on animals nor does it use ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.
Animal testing is a gruesome and outdated practice that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, sick, or dead. This practice needs to stop, and fortunately, more and more companies are catching on and pledging to be cruelty free.
What Is Costco Apple Pie Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Costco Apple Pie:
- Apple
- Wheat flour
- Water
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Shortening butter blend (palm oil, butter, cream salt)
- Modified food starch
- Soybean oil
- Salt
- Dextrose
- Yeast
- Spice
- Mono-and diglycerides
- Xanthan gum
Let’s break down all the ingredients of Costco apple pie.
Apples
Apples are a pome fruit and the main ingredient in Costco apple pie. Apples are vegan.
Wheat flour
Wheat flour is often used in baking as a binding agent and forms the crust for the apple pie. It is vegan.
Water
Water is used to make the dough for the apple pie crust. It is vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is often used as a sweetener in baking recipes. It is a plant-based product but most refined sugar brands still process their sugar with animal bone char to make it whiter. Unless the sugar is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is used as a sweetener and thickening agent in apple pie. It is vegan.
Shortening butter blend
Shortening is a type of fat used in baking. It is made of palm oil and butter. Butter is a dairy product and is not vegan.
Modified food starch
Modified food starch is used as a thickening agent in apple pie. It is vegan.
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is used in making the crust of the apple pie. It is vegan.
Salt
Salt is used to add taste to the apple pie. It is vegan.
Dextrose
Dextrose is sugar used as a sweetener in apple pie. It is vegan.
Yeast
Yeast is used in baking to help the dough rise. It is vegan.
Spice
Spice is used to add flavor to the apple pie. It is vegan.
Mono- and diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides are used as emulsifiers in apple pie. They help to keep the ingredients combined and prevent them from separating. They can be from plant-based or animal sources but are usually of animal origin. Unless stated otherwise, assume they are not vegan.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent in apple pie. It is vegan.
Why Isn’t Costco’s Apple Pie Vegan?
Costco apple pie is not vegan because it contains butter, refined sugar, and mono- and diglycerides. Butter is a milk product and is not vegan.
Sugar is technically vegan but it is often filtered with animal bone char to decolorize it and make it whiter.
And lastly, mono- and diglycerides can come from animal or plant sources but are usually of animal origin. This means that they are not vegan unless specified otherwise.
These ingredients make Costco’s apple pie unsuitable for vegans. The good news is that there are plenty of other vegan pies on the market that are just as delicious and nutritious as Costco apple pie.
Are Costco Churros Vegan?
No. Costco Churros are not vegan because they contain refined sugar, eggs, and butter.
These churros are not suitable for vegan consumption.
Is Costco’s Kirkland Signature Cauliflower Crust Pizza Vegan?
No. Costco’s Kirkland Signature Cauliflower Crust Pizza is not vegan because it contains eggs, cheese, and meat products.
This pizza product is not suitable for vegan consumption.
Is Kirkland Organic Unsalted Unroasted Cashews Vegan?
Yes! Kirkland Organic Unsalted Unroasted Cashews are vegan because they don’t contain animal-derived ingredients.
These cashews are suitable for vegans.
Is Kirkland Signature Organic Salsa Vegan?
Yes! Kirkland Signature Hatch Chile Salsa is vegan. This salsa is made with fresh ingredients and does not contain any animal products.
This salsa is suitable for vegan consumption.
Is Kirkland Signature Lattice Apple Pie Vegan?
No. Kirkland Signature Lattice Apple Pie is not vegan because it contains refined sugar.
This pie is not suitable for vegan consumption.
Are Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips Vegan?
No. Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips are not vegan because they contain sugar.
These chocolate baking chips are not suitable for vegan consumption.
Are Costco Green Smoothies Vegan?
Yes! Costco’s Green Smoothies are vegan because they only contain fruit, vegetables, and water. There are no animal products in this drink.
This smoothie is a great choice for vegans.
Vegan Alternatives to Costco’s Apple Pie
The thoughts of warm apple pie making you drool? You’re in luck! There are plenty of delicious vegan apple pie recipes out there for you to try. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Vegan Apple Crisp recipe from Minimalist Baker
- Vegan Apple Pie recipe from Tasty
- Vegan Apple Pie recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie
These vegan food recipes are all healthy and vegan friendly, so you can eat and enjoy your pie without any guilt. With a few ingredients like vegan cheese, coconut milk, soy milk, and plant-based butter, you can create a delicious vegan snack or dairy-free and egg-free apple pie that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Final Words
When it comes to vegan options, there are not really that many to choose from at Costco, and its apple pie is unfortunately not one of them. If you really want to enjoy a delicious slice of apple pie, your best bet is to make your own vegan products at home using one of the vegan recipes I shared above. With a little bit of effort, you can still enjoy this tasty treat without having to worry about any animal products. So, go ahead and enjoy your pie!