Nutritional Yeast: Vegan Cooking Guide
Nutritional yeast (often called 'nooch') is deactivated yeast sold as golden flakes with a savoury, cheesy, umami flavour. It's one of the most transformative ingredients in vegan cooking - a tablespoon added to a sauce or gravy adds a rounded depth that's otherwise hard to achieve without dairy.
How to Use Nutritional Yeast
Stir into sauces, soups and gravies to add depth. Blend into cashew cheese, sprinkle over pasta in place of parmesan, or add to tofu scramble for a savoury egg-like flavour. Start with 1 - 2 tablespoons and taste.
Nutrition
A B12 powerhouse (when fortified) - 2 tablespoons can provide 100% of daily B12 needs; also provides all essential amino acids.
Chef's Tips
- Fortified nutritional yeast is a critical source of vitamin B12 for vegans - check the label to confirm fortification.
- It doesn't provide flavour on its own - think of it as a flavour amplifier that works best combined with salt and acid.
- Store in a sealed jar away from light and heat - it loses potency quickly if exposed.
→ Find the best substitutes for nutritional yeast
Vegan Recipes Using Nutritional Yeast
Learn to cook with nutritional yeast on video
Our Cook Like A Pro course covers vegan cooking techniques including how to get the most from plant-based proteins, flavour bases and dairy alternatives. Watch step-by-step with chefs Rupert Worden and Lisa Hinze.
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