If you've ever seen a recipe call for nutritional yeast and wondered what exactly it is, you're not alone. Despite the name, nutritional yeast isn't the same thing as the yeast you use to make bread.
Instead, these golden flakes are used as a savory seasoning and ingredient, especially when you want to add nutty, cheesy and umami flavor without adding dairy.
From popcorn and pasta to soups and sauces, nutritional yeast is surprisingly easy to use once you know what to do with it.
What Is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is made from a type of yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The yeast is grown, harvested, washed and then heated to deactivate it. That last step is important because nutritional yeast is inactive yeast.
That means it won't make bread rise like active baking yeast.
Instead, nutritional yeast is dried into flakes that can be sprinkled directly onto foods or mixed into recipes as a seasoning.
What Does Nutritional Yeast Taste Like?
Nutritional yeast has a savory, nutty and slightly cheesy flavor.
You'll also hear its flavor described as umami—the rich, savory quality found in foods like mushrooms, aged cheeses and soy sauce.
Because of its cheese-like flavor, nutritional yeast is especially popular in dairy-free and vegan cooking. But you certainly don't have to be vegan to use it.
Think of it as another seasoning in your pantry rather than simply a substitute for cheese.
How Do You Use Nutritional Yeast?
One of the easiest things about nutritional yeast is that there's very little preparation involved. You can usually sprinkle the flakes directly onto food or stir them into a recipe.
Try nutritional yeast on:
- Popcorn
- Pasta
- Roasted vegetables
- Potatoes
- Salads
- Grain bowls
- Soups
- Sauces
- Gravies
- Egg-free scrambles
It can also be blended into homemade seasoning mixes and dairy-free cheese-style sauces.
Can You Put Nutritional Yeast on Popcorn?
Absolutely. In fact, popcorn is one of the simplest ways to try nutritional yeast.
Sprinkle nutritional yeast over freshly popped popcorn along with a little salt. Because the flakes are dry, adding a small amount of oil or another ingredient that helps seasonings stick can help coat the popcorn more evenly.
The result is a savory, slightly cheesy popcorn seasoning without needing powdered cheese.
Can You Use Nutritional Yeast on Pasta?
Yes.
You can sprinkle nutritional yeast directly over finished pasta much like you might use a grated hard cheese.
It can also be incorporated into pasta sauces. Nutritional yeast works especially well in creamy dairy-free sauces and homemade macaroni-and-cheese-style recipes.
Can You Cook With Nutritional Yeast?
Yes. Nutritional yeast can be used both as a finishing seasoning and as an ingredient during cooking.
Stir it into soups, gravies and sauces, add it to seasoning blends or incorporate it into casseroles and other savory recipes.
However, nutritional yeast and baking yeast serve very different purposes.
Is Nutritional Yeast the Same as Baking Yeast?
No.
This is one of the biggest sources of confusion about nutritional yeast.
Baker's yeast is active, which allows it to ferment and produce the gas that helps dough rise.
Nutritional yeast has been deactivated with heat. It doesn't have the ability to leaven dough.
So if a bread recipe calls for active dry yeast or instant yeast, nutritional yeast is not a substitute.
You can certainly add nutritional yeast to some baked recipes for flavor, but it won't make them rise.
Is Nutritional Yeast the Same as Cheese?
No. Nutritional yeast doesn't contain cheese.
Its naturally savory, nutty flavor can taste somewhat cheese-like, which is why it's frequently used in dairy-free recipes.
It can add cheesy flavor to pasta, popcorn, vegetables and sauces without actually adding cheese.
Large Flake vs. Mini Flake Nutritional Yeast
You may notice that nutritional yeast is available in different flake sizes.
At Life Essentials Refillery, we carry both Large Flake Nutritional Yeast and Nutritional Yeast Mini Flakes.
So what's the difference?
Large Flake Nutritional Yeast
Larger flakes are especially convenient when nutritional yeast is being used as a topping or finishing seasoning.
Try large flakes sprinkled over:
- Popcorn
- Pasta
- Vegetables
- Salads
- Grain bowls
The larger flakes remain more noticeable on top of your food.
→ Shop Large Flake Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional Yeast Mini Flakes
Mini flakes are smaller and blend easily into other ingredients.
They're especially convenient for:
- Sauces
- Soups
- Gravies
- Seasoning blends
- Dairy-free cheese-style sauces
- Casseroles and cooked dishes
If you're primarily mixing nutritional yeast into recipes rather than sprinkling it over the top, mini flakes are a convenient option.
→ Shop Nutritional Yeast Mini Flakes
Which Nutritional Yeast Should I Buy?
It mostly comes down to how you plan to use it.
If you want nutritional yeast primarily for sprinkling over popcorn, pasta or finished dishes, try the large flakes.
If you're frequently blending nutritional yeast into sauces, soups and recipes, you may prefer mini flakes.
And if you're not sure? Either can be used in many of the same ways. The difference is primarily the size and texture of the flakes rather than completely different uses.
How Should You Store Nutritional Yeast?
Keep nutritional yeast in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container.
Keeping moisture out will help preserve its texture and quality.
Buying nutritional yeast by the ounce can also be helpful if you don't use it frequently. Instead of buying a large package that sits in the pantry, you can purchase an amount that makes sense for the way you cook.
Where Can I Buy Nutritional Yeast in Tampa?
If you're looking for nutritional yeast in Tampa, Life Essentials Refillery carries it by the ounce at our South Tampa store.
Buying by weight means you can try a small amount, stock up on a favorite or refill a container you already own instead of purchasing another package.
Visit Life Essentials Refillery at 4317 W El Prado Blvd in South Tampa, or shop online.
→ Shop Large Flake Nutritional Yeast
→ Shop Nutritional Yeast Mini Flakes
Whether you're making dairy-free cheese sauce or simply looking for something new to sprinkle over popcorn, nutritional yeast is an easy pantry ingredient to experiment with.