One of the key things people often miss when eating plant-based is the savory umami flavor that typically comes from meat and meat stocks. Without this flavor, you might find that some of your dishes taste bland or hollow. Luckily, that can be remedied — and without relying on animal products. Here are four good ways to add umami flavor to your plant-based meals.

Liquid Aminos

Liquid aminos is a seasoning that comes in a bottle that you can store in your fridge. They look a lot like soy sauce, and like soy sauce, they are produced by fermenting soy. Liquid aminos are really high in glutamate, an amino acid that has a very rich umami flavor. This is a good ingredient to add to stir-fries, soups, and stews in order to add some umami taste. A little goes a long way; you'll only need a teaspoon or two to season a large serving of food.

Mushroom Stock

Try using mushroom stock for applications where one would ordinarily use chicken or beef stock. It has a lot more umami flavor than your average vegetable stock. You can often buy it in cardboard cartons, which keep for a week or two in the fridge. If you don't think you'll use it up that fast, try freezing some mushrooms stock in ice cube trays. That way, you can pull out a cube of mushroom stock whenever you need to season something. This works really well in stir-fries, pasta dishes, and even when pan-cooking veggie burgers.

Truffle Oil

Truffle oil comes with a pretty high price tag since truffles are so hard to come by. But if you can afford a little bottle of this stuff, it's excellent to keep on hand for instances in which you need a little umami boost. Truffle oil is awesome when drizzled on crostini, over pasta, or over a salad. A few drops will go a long way, too.

Capers

Capers are tiny little fruits that pack quite the umami punch. You can buy them in a jar at most grocery stores. Add a few capers to a salad, and it instantly becomes more savory. They're also a good thing to add to your stir-fried veggies near the end of cooking.

Umami flavor does not just come from meat. If you're eating a plant-based diet, try some of these ingredients and additives to give your food that umami flair. 

To learn more about plant-based Asian meals, such as Rainbao Dumplings, and how to prepare them, contact a food service in your area.