Those golden flakes of nutritional yeast, or nooch as it is affectionately known, are one of the most useful things you can keep in a plant-based kitchen. With a savoury, cheesy, umami flavour and no dairy at all, they can add depth to all sorts of dishes, if you know how to use them. If you already have a tub and are wondering what to do with it, this guide is packed with ways to make the most of it.
A quick reminder of what it is - versatile, savoury seasoning
In short, nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, grown as a food and dried into flakes to be used as a savoury seasoning rather than to make bread rise. If you would like the full story on what it is and how it is made, our guide to what nutritional yeast is covers it in detail. Here, we are focusing on the fun part: how to cook with it.
Why does everyone love the flavour?
The big appeal of nutritional yeast is its taste. It has a naturally savoury, nutty, cheesy quality with a satisfying umami depth, which is remarkable given that it contains no dairy at all. That is exactly why it has become such a favourite in plant-based cooking: it delivers a cheesy, moreish flavour without cheese, making it invaluable for anyone who is vegan, dairy-free or simply cutting down on cheese. It is a big part of why nutritional yeast has remained popular rather than fading as a passing fad.
Is nutritional yeast good for you?
Nutritional yeast has a genuinely useful nutritional profile. It is a source of plant protein and contains fibre, and it naturally provides B vitamins. Many versions, including ours, are also fortified with vitamin B12, which is particularly valuable because B12 is difficult to obtain from a purely plant-based diet and is important for normal energy and nervous system function. This makes fortified nutritional yeast a handy addition for vegans and vegetarians.
One thing to check is the label, because not all nutritional yeast is fortified with B12. If B12 is a reason you are buying it, look for a product that specifically states it is added. Our Nutritional Yeast Flakes with B12 are fortified, so you get that benefit alongside the flavour. As with any food, it is best enjoyed as part of a varied, balanced diet rather than relied on alone.
How to use nutritional yeast
This is where nooch really shines, because it is wonderfully easy to use. The simplest approach is to sprinkle it, like a savoury, cheesy seasoning, straight onto finished food. Try it over pasta in place of grated parmesan, shaken onto popcorn for an addictive snack, or scattered over roasted vegetables, soups, salads and jacket potatoes.
It also works beautifully stirred into cooking. It is the key ingredient in most vegan cheese sauces, giving that classic cheesy flavour to a mac and cheese made without dairy. Add it to risottos, scrambled tofu, mashed potato, gravies and dressings for extra savoury depth, or stir a spoonful into soups and stews. A little brings a lovely richness, so start modestly and add to taste.
Nutritional yeast versus other yeasts
It is worth clearing up a common confusion. Nutritional yeast is not the same as baker's yeast, which is alive and used to make dough rise, so the two cannot be swapped. It is also different from brewer's yeast, which is a by-product of beer making and tends to taste more bitter. Nutritional yeast is grown specifically as a food, deactivated, and valued for its pleasant, savoury flavour rather than any rising or brewing power.
Strong trend
Nutritional yeast is far more than a passing health trend. It is a versatile, savoury seasoning with a genuinely useful nutritional profile, especially when fortified with B12, and its cheesy, umami flavour has earned it a lasting place in kitchens well beyond the vegan community. Keep a tub to hand, sprinkle it generously, and you will quickly see why nooch has such a devoted following.
