30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (2024)

by Monica - 6 Comments

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Want some great nutritional yeast recipes? If you have ever wondered what nutritional yeast (aka nooch) is or how to use it, this post is for you. It includes everything you ever wanted to know about this golden powder, plus over 30 nutritional yeast recipes that you'll love!

30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (1)

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Nutritional yeast is a yellow flaky powder with a cheesy flavor. Also referred to as nooch, this stuff is like magic in vegan cooking. Nutritional yeast is the only vegan ingredient that tastes cheesy. It also has an umami flavor that will give your meals a richer depth of flavor! Not only is it delicious, but it's packed with protein and vitamins too!

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why use nutritional yeast
  • 🧾 How nutritional yeast is made
  • 🥄 What is nutritional yeast used for?
  • 🏪 Where to buy it?
  • 👍 Favorite brands
  • ❓ Frequently asked questions
  • 🥡 How to store nutritional yeast
  • 🌟 Recipes that use nutritional yeast

❤️ Why use nutritional yeast

Nutritional yeast has a cheesy and slightly nutty flavor that's delicious on popcorn, pasta, rice, bread, and more. Use it in savory dishes to give your meals a rich umami flavor. It's an easy way to add protein and vitamins to your meals. Most kids love the taste of it, so it's a great way to get extra nutrients in picky eaters.

🧾 How nutritional yeast is made

Nutritional yeast is made by growing yeast in a glucose solution and then heated to deactivate it. (This kills the yeast and makes it inactive, so you can't use it for baking.) Nutritional yeast is then washed, vitamins like B12 are added and it's then dried and packaged.

🥄 What is nutritional yeast used for?

Nutritional yeast is used as a cheesy flavoring in many vegan recipes, especially vegan cheese. It's also delicious sprinkled on popcorn or used in place of parmesan cheese on pasta dishes. My kids love to sprinkle it on bread or tortillas and I use it to season vegan cheese crackers for snacks.

30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (2)

🏪 Where to buy it?

You can buy nutritional yeast at most large grocery stores and natural food markets. You can find it in bulk in natural food stores or the natural foods section of most grocery stores. If you can't find it near you, it's easy to buy online and have it shipped to your house.

👍 Favorite brands

There is a slight difference in flavor between brands of nutritional yeast. I've found that the more yellow the color, the more flavorful the Nooch. You can find it in bulk at many coops and natural foods stores, but if it has sat out exposed to the air for too long, it will lose some of its flavor. I prefer to buy it in small bags at Trader Joe's or in a sealed container like the KAL brand or Anthony's brand for the freshest and cheesiest flavor.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Is nutritional yeast bad for you?

If you are allergic to yeast or are on the candida diet, you will want to avoid nutritional yeast, but otherwise, it adds vitamins and protein to foods.

Is nutritional yeast good for you?

In just 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, there are 8 grams of protein and it's packed with B vitamins. The amount of vitamins varies by brand, but most contain about 400% of your RDA of B12.

What is the difference between nutritional yeast flakes and powder?

There is very little difference between flakes and powder other than the size. It will measure slightly more with powder than flakes due to the lack of air space, but this won't make a difference in most recipes, since Nooch is just for flavor and is not an active yeast that will change the outcome of the recipe.

Is nutritional yeast gluten-free?

Yes, nutritional yeast is gluten-free! I would avoid bulk nutritional yeast, however, since there could be some cross-contamination.

Is nutritional yeast vegan?

Yeast is a type of fungus and not an animal. There are no animal products used in the production of nutritional yeast, so it is vegan.

🥡 How to store nutritional yeast

Keep your nutritional yeast in a cool dry place. If you buy it in bulk, store it in a sealed glass container in the pantry. You can also keep it in the fridge or even the freezer if you won't be using it up in the next month or so.

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🌟 Recipes that use nutritional yeast

Vegan Cheeses

Nutritional yeast is the key ingredient in most vegan cheeses. If you leave it out of these recipes, they just won't taste like cheese. Here are just a few of the vegan cheese recipes that I make with it. You can see all of my free vegan cheese recipes here or check out my guide to vegan cheese-making cookbook.

  • Classic Vegan Provolone
  • Stretchy Vegan Mozzeralla
  • Sharp Vegan Cheddar
  • Vegan Smoked Gouda
  • Spicy Vegan Pepper Jack
  • Tofu Cream Cheese
  • The Best Vegan Feta
  • Tofu Ricotta
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Soups and Sauces

Nooch is great for flavoring soups and sauces too. Sprinkle it into anything that you want to have a cheesy umami flavor.

  • Vegan Alfredo with Coconut Milk
  • Nacho Cheese Sauce
  • Veggie Cheese Sauce
  • Easy Vegan Gravy in Any Flavor
  • The Best Vegan Ceasar Dressing
  • Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Vegetarian "Chicken" a la King
  • Cheesy Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup
  • Tahini Dressing
  • Tofu Pasta Sauce
  • Vegan Pesto
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Vegan meats

Nutritional yeast gives a rich umami flavor to vegan meat substitutes too. I use it in lots of my seitan recipes to give them a meatier flavor.

  • Vegan Chicken Seitan
  • Vegetarian Steak Substitute
  • Seitan Sausage
  • The Best Vegan Turkey
  • Seitan Ham
  • Rice Paper Bacon
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Vegan eggs

Nooch also gives egg substitutes a more realistic umami flavor. I use it in all of my egg-like recipes.

  • Vegan Scrambled Eggs
  • Tofu Breakfast Sandwiches
  • Chickpea Omelets
  • Vegan Egg Muffins
  • Vegan Quiche Lorraine
30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (7)

Roasted Vegetables

Nutritional yeast gives veggies a cheesy flavor. Sprinkle it on anything that you would put parmesan cheese on.

  • Roasted Root Veggies
  • Cheesy Baked Broccoli
  • Cabbage Steaks
  • Baked Cauliflower Nuggets
  • Sauteed Chickpeas

📌 Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!

Reader Interactions

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  1. 30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (8)marge201 says

    Monica, question re fortified vs. nonfortified nooch. Fortified is more flavorful and a lot cheaper, and nonfortified is crazy expensive but lacks the factory-added vitamins, so seems like the healthier choice. What's your opinion?

    Reply

    • 30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (9)Monica says

      I use the fortified nutritional yeast. I like the taste and the extra vitamins, but it's a personal choice. I'm not a medical professional, so I'm unable to comment on nutritional benefits.

      Reply

      • 30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (10)marge201 says

        Thanks for your reply.

        Reply

  2. 30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (11)Sue Levy says

    I make myself a smoothie almost every day. It includes half an avocado, a stalk of kale, a handful of konjac noodles for fibre, some protein powder and if not fruity, a couple of tablespoons of yeast. The result is filling and very tasty. my choice of milk is soy fortified with protein so the result is lovely and creamy.
    Enjoy!!

    Reply

    • 30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (12)Monica says

      That's an interesting use of it. I usually put it in savory dishes, I'll have to try it in a smoothie too.

      Reply

    • 30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (13)Susan Flewelling says

      I like macaroni and herbed tomatoes - nutritional yeast gives it a nice bump. Also sprinkle it on popcorn

      Reply

30 Nutritional Yeast Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat nutritional yeast on whole 30? ›

Yes, according to their website, nutritional yeast is whole 30 compliant. Is nutritional yeast vegan? Yes, it is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Can you overdo nutritional yeast? ›

Too much nutritional yeast added too quickly to one's diet can cause problems with digestion, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea. A high-fiber diet is good for digestive health.

Does cooking nutritional yeast destroy vitamins? ›

With every tablespoon of nutritional yeast, you give a nutritional boost to your diet. And yes, all these nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, as well as aroma and flavor resist heating. Any way you use nutritional yeast, it will enhance your recipes with a wealth of beneficial nutrients.

Who shouldn't eat nutritional yeast? ›

While it's uncommon, tyramine may trigger headaches in people who experience migraines. People with a sensitivity to yeast products should not consume nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast may also worsen symptoms in people with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease.

Is it OK to eat nutritional yeast everyday? ›

Side effects and safety

It's safe to use nutritional yeast in moderation, typically up to several tablespoons (10–30 grams) per day. It would require relatively large amounts of nutritional yeast to exceed the tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for the various vitamins and minerals it contains.

Do you have to refrigerate nutritional yeast? ›

Store nutritional yeast in a tightly sealed bag or jar in a cool, dark place (or in the refrigerator), and it should keep for about two years. This story contains additional reporting by Christina Chaey.

How many tablespoons of nutritional yeast per day? ›

No consensus exists regarding how much nutritional yeast a person can eat daily. But eating even a 5 g serving per day can benefit you. However, you may want to start with 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast per day. You can increase that amount if you do not have any reaction.

Is nutritional yeast high in histamine? ›

Conclusion: People generally consider nutritional yeast low in histamine, primarily because the saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain used for its production lacks the histidine decarboxylase enzyme. However, individual reactions may still occur due to other factors.

Is nutritional yeast anti-inflammatory? ›

Research has shown that S. cerevisiae, the strain of yeast in nutritional yeast, can support the immune system and reduce inflammation resulting from bacterial infection. It may also be helpful in treating diarrhea.

Is nutritional yeast good for gut health? ›

A type of seasoning, nutritional yeast contains nutrients like folate, vitamin B12, and fiber. Some of its potential health benefits are digestive and immune system support. Because nutritional yeast has fiber, it's a good idea not to eat a lot in a short period to avoid digestive issues like bloating.

Does nutritional yeast make you gassy? ›

Some research has suggested that nutritional yeast may be irritating to those with Crohn's disease and other types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In general, adding too much fiber to your diet too quickly can cause issues like gas, bloating and cramping, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Is nutritional yeast really MSG? ›

There's a reason nutritional yeast is so often compared to cheese: It contains naturally occurring MSG. “Monosodium glutamate is just the sodium version of glutamic acid,” said Christine Clark, a cheese writer and educator based in Burlington, Vt. “Glutamic acid is umami.

Can you just sprinkle nutritional yeast on food? ›

Sprinkling some nutritional yeast on top of your favorite salad as an extra condiment is another option. This isn't my favorite way to eat it, as it doesn't seem to bring out the taste of the nutritional yeast much unless you make the salad quite powdery, but I do like it for a soft condiment once in awhile.

Why do vegans put nutritional yeast in everything? ›

While it can be used in a variety of dishes and food genres, nutritional yeast is beloved among vegans and vegetarians because the rich, nutty flavor mimics the savory aspects of cheese. It's also one of the few plant sources of B12, a vitamin that's important for brain health, infection-fighting, and more.

What are the side effects of taking yeast supplements? ›

The most common side effects are excess gas, bloating, and migraine-like headaches. Stop taking brewer's yeast and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience chest pain, throat or chest tightness, or difficulty breathing. These side effects may indicate an allergic reaction to brewer's yeast.

What are the signs of yeast intolerance? ›

Some of the most common yeast allergy and yeast intolerance symptoms include:
  • Bloating.
  • Breathing difficulties.
  • Joint pain.
  • Dizziness.
  • Rashes.

Does nutritional yeast bloat you? ›

Some research has suggested that nutritional yeast may be irritating to those with Crohn's disease and other types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In general, adding too much fiber to your diet too quickly can cause issues like gas, bloating and cramping, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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