What’s the Deal With Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast
Image via bhofack2/Depositphotos

You’ve seen it in vegan recipes everywhere, especially those trying to mimic a “cheesy” flavor. It looks like a yellow powdery substance, and it’s called nutritional yeast. Another common nickname for nutritional yeast is “nooch”. You might be wondering what the obsession with nutritional yeast is all about, as it doesn’t exactly sound appetizing. It looks like vegans add it to everything, but why? What even is nutritional yeast?

Nutritional yeast is essentially deactivated yeast. It has become so popular among vegans because it is a great source of vitamins and minerals, specifically vitamin B and iron. A full serving of nutritional yeast is about two tablespoons, so it’s easy to pack dishes with its nutritional benefits. It is also a great source of protein when you consume a full serving. 

Nutritional yeast is also a great addition to recipes because of its cheesy flavor. It can be mixed into a variety of dishes to create a vegan cheese alternative. Some popular recipes with nutritional yeast include “cheesy” tofu scramble, vegan mac and cheese, dips, and various sauces. It even looks like real cheese! Vegan gooey cheese is surprisingly easy to make with nutritional yeast, and there are countless recipes online.