The first time we cooked with nutritional yeast, it was in a recipe for vegetarian gravy. Although nutritional yeast doesn't sound terribly alluring, the gravy turned out to be a big hit that Thanksgiving, and since then we've enthusiastically incorporated the savory yeast into all kinds of dishes, from popcorn to pasta.
Ingredient Spotlight: Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast made from sugar cane and beet molasses. It comes in flake or powder form and is distinct from the active yeasts used in bread making. Packed with B vitamins, it has a nutty, cheesy flavor and is often used to emulate cheese in vegan dishes. However, you don't have to be a vegan or health nut to enjoy it. Nutritional yeast can be sprinkled on pasta, salads, baked potatoes, soups, and anything that would benefit from some umami flavor. One of the most popular ways to eat nutritional yeast is sprinkled on popcorn. It also makes a good coating for fried tofu.
Nutritional yeast can usually be found in the bulk or supplement sections of health food stores. Some brands include Red Star, Frontier Natural, Bob's Red Mill, and Kal. It is also known as savory yeast flakes. Be sure not to confuse it with brewer's yeast, which is a similar product but has a bitter flavor.
Recipes:
• The Best Cheesy Uncheese Sauce from Karina's Kitchen
• Easy Macaroni and "Cheeze" from Fatfree Vegan Kitchen
• Fried Tofu from The Savvy Vegetarian
• Rice Bowls with Grilled Teriyaki Tofu and Miso-Sesame Gravy from Veggie Meal Plans
• Southern Fried Tofu from Book of Yum
• Truffled Chanterelle, Celery Root and Potato Gratin from 101 Cookbooks
• Vegetarian Gravy from Allrecipes
(Image: Emily Ho)
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I have never known a vegan who could live without nutritional yeast, but I rarely see it used by anyone else. It makes an excellent cheesy dipping sauce for chips. And my cat goes nuts for it. He even knows the sound of me opening the canister I keep it in and comes begging!
view forked's profile
i love nutritional yeast (also known as "nooch"). we use it in and on just about every vegetable. i often have to tear the shaker we keep it in out of my daughter's hands because she loves dipping her fingers in and eating it :) yeah, we've created a monster!
view gleek's profile
I keep a batch of this in the freezer:
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=7126.0
except I use raw sunflower seeds instead of cashews (they are much cheaper). It is so good, and so convenient. I had to stop being vegan (it does not mix well with my plasma-selling side business), but I still eat this.
view matchbookhymnal's profile
Haha, my cat goes crazy trying to get some too. I love this stuff, especially in "cheese" sauce.
view Stiletto's profile
I love nutritional yeast. Try olive oil, nutritional yeast and Bragg amino acids..the best dressing ever. About 2 to 1 olive oil to Bragg and then enough yeast to make it creamy. It goes great on, believe it or not raw kale sliced thin. Also great in gravy, or to add a little something to soup, etc.
view kaybee's profile
nooch is wonderful.
it's so cheezy- I can't have cheese due to migraines; and you can make a great "cheddar" cheese with it to make mac and cheese- our favorite recipe is here on 101 cookbooks
(my husband, who can eat cow's milk cheese, loves this mac and cheese as well)
view jillrenee from boston's profile
Oh yes. I know plenty of people who use it all the time. I don't keep it on hand, but I like it with butter on rice cakes, and popcorn is a classic.
Emily
view Emily Sneds's profile
Great on popcorn with soy sauce or Braggs.
view Ta's profile
When I was a kid we weren't allowed to put butter or salt on our popcorn, only nutritional yeast, and our mama cats always got a lot while they were nursing kittens to help keep them healthy.
view mabith's profile
Sorrie to be Debbie Downer, but nutritional yeast is possibly one of the worst things I've ever tasted (and I pretty much love anything edible). I've seen nutritional yeast turn the most wonderful vegan meal into an unmitigated disaster. The resemblance to a "cheese" taste is questionable at best. My advice to the uninitiated? Use sparingly, and with caution at first. If it's to your liking, go for it.
view meabfab's profile
It's delicious on popcorn with tamari and powdered/granulated garlic. That's how my family eats it. Yumm!
view zhasmene's profile