Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast in flake or powder form with a savory, cheesy, umami flavor, widely used in vegan cooking as a dairy-free way to add cheese-like richness.
How to buy
Look for fortified versions, which add vitamin B12 and are common in vegan products, versus unfortified. Flakes are more common than powder and dissolve easily. It should smell fresh and savory rather than stale or overly bitter.
How to store
Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry for up to 2 years. Refrigeration isn't required but can help preserve freshness in humid climates.
Culinary profile
- Flavor
- Savory, nutty, and cheese-like with a distinct umami punch; using too much can tip it toward bitter.
- Texture
- Light, flaky flakes or a fine powder that dissolve into sauces or cling to popcorn and roasted vegetables when sprinkled on.
- Aroma
- A savory, slightly cheesy, faintly nutty smell.
How to prepare
- Sprinkled as topping — Scattered directly over popcorn, roasted vegetables, or pasta for savory flavor.
- Whisked into cheese sauce — Blended into a vegan cheese sauce for a dairy-free savory depth.
- Stirred into popcorn seasoning — Mixed with salt and spices as a classic vegan popcorn topping.
- Blended into dressings — Added to dressings and dips for a cheesy, umami undertone.
Classic dishes
American
- Vegan mac and cheese — A dairy-free cheese sauce built on nutritional yeast for savory depth.
- Popcorn seasoning — A classic vegan popcorn topping combining nutritional yeast with salt and spices.
- Vegan Caesar dressing — A dairy-free Caesar dressing leaning on nutritional yeast for its cheesy edge.
- Savory vegan gravy — A rich, plant-based gravy deepened with nutritional yeast's umami notes.
- Vegan scrambled tofu — Crumbled tofu seasoned with nutritional yeast and turmeric to resemble scrambled eggs.
- Vegan ranch dressing — A plant-based ranch dressing using nutritional yeast for savory depth.
- Cashew-based vegan cheese — A soft, spreadable cheese alternative built on cashews and nutritional yeast.
- Vegan mashed potatoes — Mashed potatoes enriched with nutritional yeast for a savory, cheesy note.
- Buddha bowl dressing — A savory, cheesy dressing drizzled over grain bowls, built on nutritional yeast.
Italian
- Vegan parmesan — A blend of nuts and nutritional yeast used to mimic parmesan's salty, umami bite.
- Vegan alfredo sauce — A creamy, dairy-free pasta sauce using nutritional yeast for cheesy depth.
- Vegan pesto — A dairy-free pesto using nutritional yeast in place of parmesan.
- Vegan risotto — A creamy risotto finished with nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
Mexican
- Vegan queso dip — A dairy-free cheese dip built in part on nutritional yeast for savory flavor.
- Vegan nacho cheese sauce — A pourable dairy-free cheese sauce relying on nutritional yeast for flavor.