An organic slurry for use in wood-based composites is described herein. In one aspect, the organic slurry may include water, a lignin material insoluble in the water, such as dewatered kraft lignin, and a defoamer. During manufacturing, the water, lignin material and defoamer may be combined and mixed together in a vessel to produce the organic slurry. In one aspect, the defoamer may include a water-based defoamer, a silicone-based defoamer, a silicone-free defoamer, an oil-based defoamer, a polymer-based defoamer, or mixtures thereof. The organic slurry may have a pH less than neutral.