Nutritional Yeast
Also called nooch, yeast flakes
Flakes of deactivated yeast, grown and then dried. They taste savory, nutty and somewhat cheesy, and cooks use them to add umami without any dairy.
Flavor profile
Aroma: cheesy, nutty, savory
Good to know
Origin: Global
Forms: flakes, powder
Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard.
How to use nutritional yeast
Sprinkle at the End
Stir or sprinkle it on right before serving so you can taste and adjust. It works on popcorn, pasta and roasted vegetables.
Build a Sauce
Blend it with soaked cashews, lemon juice, garlic and a little mustard for a creamy, cheesy-tasting sauce.
What goes with nutritional yeast
- Pasta. Nutritional yeast gives plain pasta a cheesy, savory dusting.
- Potato. Nutritional yeast adds a savory, cheesy coating to roasted potatoes and fries.
- Cashew. Cashews blend into a creamy base that nutritional yeast turns cheesy.
- Tofu. Nutritional yeast adds a savory, eggy-cheesy flavor to tofu scrambles.
- Garlic. Garlic's bite sharpens nutritional yeast's savory flavor.
- Mushroom. Mushrooms and nutritional yeast stack up their savory flavors.
- Kale. Nutritional yeast coats kale chips with a savory, cheesy crunch.
- Broccoli. Nutritional yeast adds savory depth to roasted broccoli.
- Cauliflower. Roasted cauliflower takes on nutritional yeast's cheesy, savory flavor.
- Miso. Miso and nutritional yeast stack up savory depth in vegan sauces.
Mistakes to avoid
- Adding too much at once, which can turn dishes bitter or yeasty.
- Expecting it to melt or stretch like cheese. It adds flavor, not texture.
Ideas for tonight
- Cashew and nutritional yeast mac
- Tofu scramble with turmeric and yeast flakes
- Roasted potatoes tossed with nutritional yeast and garlic
Nutritional Yeast: questions
What does nutritional yeast taste like?
Flakes of deactivated yeast, grown and then dried. They taste savory, nutty and somewhat cheesy, and cooks use them to add umami without any dairy. Its strongest notes are earthy, with an aroma that is cheesy, nutty, savory.
What goes well with nutritional yeast?
Nutritional Yeast pairs best with pasta, potato, cashew, tofu, garlic. Nutritional yeast gives plain pasta a cheesy, savory dusting.
How do you use nutritional yeast in cooking?
Sprinkle at the End: stir or sprinkle it on right before serving so you can taste and adjust. It works on popcorn, pasta and roasted vegetables.
How should you store nutritional yeast?
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard.
What is the most common mistake with nutritional yeast?
Adding too much at once, which can turn dishes bitter or yeasty.
