Soy Ingredient Index
From soy foods to cosmetics, supplements, and more, soy ingredients come in a variety of forms. Use this list of soy ingredients to find soy products and foods with a variety of benefits.
Soy ingredients are found in a variety of foods and products and offer numerous benefits.
Use this index of soy ingredients to learn more about soy’s practical and delicious applications.
Edamame
What is it?
Soybeans that are harvested while the plant is still green.
Uses
Consume as a snack; add to a salad or grain bowl; use in dips.
Benefits
Good source of protein; good source of fiber.
Fortified Soy Milk
What is it?
Soy milk that has been fortified with additional nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium.
Uses
Beverage; plant-based alternative to dairy milk in cooking or baking.
Benefits
Good source of protein; good source of vitamin D; good source of calcium.
Miso
What is it?
Soybean paste that is fermented and made with salt and koji.
Uses
Soup base; dressings; sauces; marinades.
Benefits
Contains probiotics.
Natto
What is it?
Fermented whole soybeans.
Uses
Consumed plain; great over rice or topped with an egg and green onion.
Benefits
Good source of protein; source of probiotics.
Soybean Curd
What is it?
Coagulated soy milk made by soaking soybeans in water, grinding them into a paste, boiling and pressing into a block.
Uses
Can be consumed raw or cooked; use in salads, stir-fries, soups and more.
Benefits
Source of protein, iron and calcium.
Soybean Paste (Doenjang)
What is it?
A paste made from fermenting soybeans in a salt brine.
Uses
Base for soups, sauces, dressings or marinades; stronger taste than miso.
Benefits
Contains probiotics.
Soy Milk
What is it?
A non-dairy milk alternative, made with soybeans.
Uses
Beverage; plant-based alternative to dairy milk in cooking or baking.
Benefits
Good source of protein; source of B vitamins.
Soy Nuts
What is it?
Whole, roasted soybeans.
Uses
Roasted and consumed as a quick, easy snack.
Benefits
Good source of protein.
Soy Sauce
What is it?
A liquid made from fermented soybeans.
Uses
Ingredient in sauces, dressings or marinades; used as a dipping sauce in many Asian cuisines; adds an umami flavor.
Benefits
Contains probiotics.
Soybean Sprouts
What is it?
Sprouted soybeans that are used in culinary applications.
Uses
Commonly used in salads; noodle dishes; stir fry; and more.
Benefits
Source of protein, amino acids and vitamins.
Soy Yogurt
What is it?
Yogurt made with soy milk.
Uses
Can consume plan or mix with toppings for a yogurt parfait.
Benefits
Source of probiotics and protein.
Tamari
What is it?
A liquid derived from fermented soybeans that is formed as a byproduct during the production of miso.
Uses
Ingredient in sauces, dressings or marinades; used as a dipping sauce; adds an umami flavor.
Benefits
Contains probiotics.
Tempeh
What is it?
Whole soybeans mixed with various grains, fermented and pressed.
Uses
A versatile protein source; used in sandwiches or salads; a protein alternative “crumble” in tacos or enchiladas.
Benefits
Good source of protein; prebiotic.
Tofu
What is it?
Curdled soy milk, pressed into blocks. Includes water-packed tofu and silken tofu.
Uses
Both types of tofu come in varying firmness varieties for different applications. They can be used in soups; grilled or fried for salads; sandwiches, grain bowls and more; replacement in baked goods.
Benefits
Good source of protein; low in sodium.
Whole Soybeans
What is it?
Whole soybeans picked from the soybean plant.
Uses
Commonly used as an ingredient in other soy foods.
Benefits
Good source of protein and fiber; versatile.
Yuba
What is it?
Skin that forms on soy milk when boiled that is then dried.
Uses
Wrappers for spring rolls or sushi; soups; noodle dishes.
Benefits
Good source of protein.
Defatted Soy Flour
What is it?
Flour made from ground, dehulled and roasted soybeans. Oils are removed during processing.
Uses
Baked goods; cereals; snacks; sauces; gravies.
Benefits
Good source of protein and calcium; source of amino acids and isoflavones; gluten free.
Daidzein
What is it?
Isoflavone (a plant-derived compound) found in soy.
Uses
Found in a variety of soy foods.
Benefits
May protect against chronic disease and cancer.
Genistein
What is it?
Predominant isoflavone (a plant-derived compound) found in soy.
Uses
Found in a variety of soy foods.
Benefits
May protect against chronic disease and cancer.
Glycine Max
What is it?
Latin name for soybean.
Uses
Has a wide variety of uses.
Benefits
Good source of protein; source of fiber.
High Oleic Soybean Oil
What is it?
Soybean oil made from a variety of soybeans that offers an improved fat profile.
Uses
Used in frying; common in snack foods and baked goods.
Benefits
Allows for increased shelf stability; longer fry life; neutral flavor; heart healthy
Hydrogenated soybean oil
What is it?
Soybean oil that retains a semi-solid consistency.
Uses
Commonly used in shortening, margarine and cooking oils.
Benefits
Neutral flavor; high smoke point; heart healthy.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
What is it?
Derived from the process that breaks down soy protein into its amino acids.
Uses
Flavor enhancer in foods; seen in meat products; soups; baked goods; chewing gum; beverages.
Benefits
N/A
Okara (soy pulp)
What is it?
Soy pulp that is left over after the oil and protein have been extracted from a soybean.
Uses
Dried and milled into a flour and used in snacks or biscuits; replacement for flour in baking or as an ingredient in plant-based meat alternatives like burgers or nuggets.
Benefits
Good source of fiber.
Soya or Soyabean
What is it?
Another name for soy. Countries outside the U.S. may use soya to indicate soy on food labels.
Uses
From whole foods to plant-based proteins to sauces and packaged goods, soya has a wide variety of applications.
Benefits
Good source of protein; heart-healthy.
Soybean Meal
What is it?
Produced by grinding the soy flakes that remain after oil is extracted from whole soybean.
Uses
Largely used in animal feed; soy milk; textured vegetable protein; and more.
Benefits
Good source of protein.
Soybean Oil
What is it?
Oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean; commonly labeled vegetable oil.
Uses
Dressings; mayonnaise; baked goods; snacks; packaged goods.
Benefits
Heart-healthy; neutral flavor profile.
Soy Crisps/Chips
What is it?
Chips made from soy protein or soy flour.
Uses
Commonly consumed as a snack.
Benefits
Source of protein and fiber.
Soy Grits
What is it?
Coarsely ground whole soybeans.
Uses
Crackers; cookies; breads
Benefits
Source of protein and fiber.
Soy Fiber
What is it?
Dietary fiber extracted from the soybeans.
Uses
An additive in package foods. Nutrition bars; beverages; baked goods; cereals; snack foods
Benefits
Source of fiber.
Soy Flakes
What is it?
Whole soybean seeds that have been flattened and dried.
Uses
Cereals; plant-based meat alternatives; protein bars; snack foods; and more
Benefits
Good source of protein.
Soy Flour
What is it?
Made from roasted and ground soybeans.
Uses
Baked goods; cereals; snacks; sauces or gravies; and more. Enhances texture; provides a nutty flavor.
Benefits
Good source of protein, B vitamins and calcium; gluten free.
Soy Isoflavones
What is it?
A type of estrogen found in soy.
Uses
Found in soy foods.
Benefits
Helps protect against certain cancers; heart healthy.
Soy Lecithin
What is it?
An additive for food products that improves texture and shelf-stability.
Uses
Dietary supplements; infant formulas; processed foods; and more. Improves texture and consistency; enhances flavor.
Benefits
Heart healthy.
Soy Leghemoglobin (Heme)
What is it?
A protein found in plants that contains heme (molecule that contains iron).
Uses
Soy-based burgers.
Benefits
Mimics color and texture of meat.
Soy Protein Concentrate
What is it?
Protein removed from soy flakes (whole soybeans that have been dried and ground). Contains more fiber than soy protein isolate.
Uses
Snack bars; cereals; shakes and more.
Benefits
Good source of folate and protein; source of fiber, calcium, iron and magnesium.
Soy Protein Isolate
What is it?
Protein amino acids, extracted from soybeans.
Uses
Protein bars; cereals; shakes and more.
Benefits
Good source of protein and isoflavones.
Textured Soy Protein (TSP)
What is it?
Manufactured from soymeal, soy flakes, soy flour or soy protein concentrate. Also known as soy granules or textured vegetable protein (TVP).
Uses
Ground meat for patties; sausage; stews; rice based dished and more.
Benefits
Good source of protein.
Genistein
What is it?
Predominant isoflavone (a plant-derived compound) found in soy.
Uses
Face moisturizer; facial cleansers; facial serums; facial toners; eye creams; sunscreens.
Benefits
Improves skin elasticity; may prevent skin cancer; anti-aging.
Glycine Soja Oil
What is it?
Soybean oil.
Uses
Cleansing products; shampoos; hair conditioners; eye make-up; skin exfoliants.
Benefits
Reduces hyperpigmentation; skin-smoothing.
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
What is it?
An oil extract derived from soybeans.
Uses
Face moisturizers; face serums; lotions.
Benefits
Anti-aging; hydrating.
Hydrogenated soybean oil
What is it?
Soybean oil that retains a semi-solid consistency.
Uses
Skincare product; haircare products.
Benefits
Hydrating.
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
What is it?
A hydrating ingredient made by modifying the fatty acid lauric acid and soy protein.
Uses
Face moisturizers; facial serums; hair conditioners; hair balms and more.
Benefits
Hydrating.
Soybean Glycerides
What is it?
Mixture of mono, di-, and triglycerides (fats found in your body), obtained from soybean oil.
Uses
Bath products; cleansers; hair conditioners; eye makeup and more.
Benefits
Hydrating.
Soybean oil (topical application)
What is it?
Oil derived from soybeans.
Uses
Creams; lotions; moisturizers; body wash; facial cleanser; hair care; nail polish remover.
Benefits
Boost hair health; improve nail health; repairs skin barrier; reduces appearance of aging; increases collagen production.
Soy Isoflavones (topical application)
What is it?
An antioxidant compound derived from soybeans that may help reduce signs of skin aging.
Uses
Face moisturizer; facial cleaners; facial serums; facial toners; eye creams.
Benefits
Anti-aging; support even skin tone; strengthen skin elasticity.
Soy Lecithin (topical application)
What is it?
A phospholipid extracted from soybeans. Functions as an emollient, water-binding agent and emulsifying agent.
Uses
Soaps; face wash; moisturizers; serums and more.
Benefits
Reduce skin irritation; hydrating; support skin elasticity.
Soy Wax
What is it?
A vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans.
Uses
Candles; lip balm; lotions; and more.
Benefits
Non-toxic, cleaner burn for candles; sustainable.