What Is Nutritional Yeast?

Have you been making vegan Mac and Cheese without using nutritional yeast? If so… I’m about to change your life in a flash! 

Nutritional yeast (also known as ‘nooch’) is this magical inactivated form of yeast praised for its cheesy, nutty, umami flavour. Umami is one of the five basic tastes that includes bitter, sweet, sour, and salty. Umami is most commonly described as being a distinctly savoury, deep flavour. A lot of vegan cooking involves ingredients that give off that desirable umami taste, and nutritional yeast helps with that!

The nutritional yeast praise doesn’t end there! I first discovered this ingredient when I went vegan over four years ago and searched for ways to get vitamin B12 into my diet. Most nutritional yeast products are fortified with B12, a common vitamin for people to be deficient in. So both vegans and non-vegans alike can probably benefit from a generous sprinkle of ‘nooch’ on their meals now and then!

People use nutritional yeast to give food a cheesy flavour without using any dairy, hence why it’s popular with vegans. These golden flakes can be used in any dish that you see fit, but here are some ideas of how you could use them:

Tempeh Quiche Lorraine

A comforting classic made without compromise! This quiche is as buttery, flavoursome and moreish as they come. Serve either with a fresh summer salad or roasted veggies, and you’ll be in quiche heaven. Recipe here.

Vegan Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine Alfredo

This is Fettuccine Alfredo with a vegan twist! This recipe has got all the delicious flavours and creamy texture, but with an extra nourishment boost. Recipe here.

Mac And Cheese

Nutritional yeast flakes are the most important ingredient in this plant-based Mac And Cheese recipe. It uses blended cashews and carrots to make the creamy sauce and relies on nutritional yeast to add that super important cheesy flavour! Recipe here.

Carbonara

Adding OGGS Aquafaba to this carbonara sauce results in a perfect light, creamy consistency, and the nutritional yeast adds the cheesy flavour that goes so well with smooth pasta sauces. Recipe here.