Searching for the savory, umami, subtly cheesy flavor without the 'nooch'? We've got a comprehensive and creative list of the 15 best vegan nutritional yeast substitutes.
Table of Contents
What is nutritional yeast?
Nutritional yeast or ‘nooch' is a beloved ingredient of vegans because it adds a savory, slightly nutty, and cheesy taste without adding salt, sugar, and fat. You'll find it in various vegan recipes, from cheese sauces to our beloved tofu sausage.
Besides flavor, it is one of the few plant-based food sources of B12. It's a great ingredient in the pantry whether or not you follow a vegan diet.
Don't let the term yeast confuse you – nutritional yeast and bread yeast (active dry yeast) are the same species but can't be used interchangeably. Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast. You can add it to bread for flavor but don't depend on it to lift the flour over the bowl.
You'll discover different brands and two distinctive types if you look for nooch at many grocery stores. Unfortified and fortified. You'll probably guess that the difference is that fortified contains added vitamins and minerals. Both varieties have substantial portions of B vitamins, and both are vegan.
Substituting Ingredients – General Considerations
Let's face it – we all need substitutions. Sometimes, it's because we lack one ingredient on the list. Or we love everything in a recipe except for one ingredient. Substitutions also serve us creatively and sometimes lead to entirely new flavor profiles.
When we tackle a topic like the best nutritional yeast substitutes, it's best to have several good alternatives. The 'what' you're substituting for, including the flavor or texture the original ingredient is meant to add or the enhancement you intend to make, should be first and foremost when you consult this list.
Finally, the best nutritional yeast alternative for the job is one you enjoy, is obtainable and adds value to your food.
When you experiment with substitutes, don't just add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a tablespoon of the replacement. Follow the same principle as you should for salt – add small amounts, taste, and adjust.
Without further ado, let’s get to the list.
The List
1. Miso paste – Miso paste, mainly white miso paste, is one of the best substitutes because it has abundant umami flavor. Miso is slightly sweet, so you may want to balance this with salt or a touch of an acid, such as lemon juice.
2. Dried mushrooms – The intense flavor of dried mushrooms adds an earthy and unexpectedly rich flavor to soups, stews, and sauces. There are two approaches to using dried mushrooms. Soak them first, then dice them, or use a spice grinder to pulverize them into a fine powder.
3. Marmite – If it's yeast flavor you're after, marmite adds a bold umami flavor, adding a unique depth of flavor. Despite a noted love/hate relationship with marmite, and even if the idea of spreading it on toast leaves you with a knot in your stomach, it's yummy in chili or stews. Don't write it off – marmite is the other food source of vitamin B (B12, to be precise).
4. Brewer's yeast – Used in your favorite beers, brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is another inactive yeast. It can be used as a substitute for nutritional yeast. It has a similar flavor but is more bitter. For this reason, use brewer's yeast in moderation and test it by adding a little to determine how it impacts taste.
5. Soy sauce – Dark soy sauce has a salty, umami flavor. That tablespoon of soy sauce doesn't have a nutty flavor but adds a savory flavor beyond salt. If you want a gluten-free version, consider Tamari.
6. Coconut aminos – Amino acids, especially coconut aminos, are like soy sauce; however, they are both soy-free and gluten-free. Coconut aminos and other liquid aminos are less salty than soy sauce but still have a kick of umami, so they are great for flavoring savory recipes.
7. Vegan parmesan cheese – Our favorite, baked hemp seed parmesan, is an irresistible source of savory, cheesy flavor. Although we are partial to our recipe using hemp seeds, other recipes use cashews, sunflower seeds, or nuts as the base. You can also find several commercial parmesan sources at the grocery store.
8. Chickpea flour - If you want a good substitute for the texture of nutritional yeast that doubles as a thickener, consider adding a little chickpea flour. Also known as besan or gram flour, chickpea flour has a slightly nutty flavor. You may want to add other ingredients to mimic the taste of nutritional yeast.
9. Vegetable broth – Veggie broth or vegetable bouillon might add the desired depth of flavor you are searching for. If you don't want the liquid of prepared veggie broth, consider using a veggie stock cube. Vegan stock cubes are available in various flavors, including mushroom, beef, chicken, and herbed.
10. Vegan Worcestershire sauce – Worcestershire sauce has a distinctive savory, tangy flavor different from soy sauce. Check the label to ensure it's vegan, and consider the ingredients. Most brands contain additives and oil, but there are a few official plant-based brands out there if you search.
11. Vegan oyster sauce – If you can find it, vegan oyster sauce is filled with salty, umami flavor. Fortunately, vegan alternatives are available, but you may have to search for them. Oyster sauce is best with recipes with an Asian flavor profile.
12. Yeast extract – When nutritional yeast is further processed to concentrate the water-soluble yeast cell proteins and compounds responsible for umami flavor, yeast extract results.
13. Salt substitutes or salt blends – There are so many choices, but salt blends, including black salt (Kala namak), which has a slight sulfur (egg flavor) taste, might be just what you're looking for. Some salt blends have more of a nutty, buttery flavor that mimics nutritional yeast.
14. Spice mixes – A mix of garlic powder, onion flakes, and lemon pepper provides surprisingly cheesy overtones. Consider this combo for your next vegan cheese sauce and reap the rewards.
15. Beer – Don't knock it until you try it! Beers, especially dark beer (think Guinness), have a sweet, yeasty flavor. And guess what? You can find vegan brands of beer in abundance.
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