Cheese may not be the healthiest of foods, but oh-boy, what an incredibly delicious and versatile comfort food it is. Add it to your soups, sauces, gravies, pasta, baked goods, or desserts; cheese just takes everything up a notch and leave you in pure comfort food bliss.
Sadly, you tend to miss out on such joyful experiences when you’re a vegan because, let’s be honest, most commercial vegan cheese miss the mark. You don’t have to, though when there is nutritional yeast available.
That yellow-colored flaky powder may not give you the beautiful cheese pull, but it sure adds a similar richness, creaminess and flavor to your vegan food. To make sure you have the best nutritional yeast experience, I have shortlisted some of the best nutritional yeast brands. Take a look to know which nutritional yeast you should grab the next time a cheese craving hits.
| What is Nutritional Yeast? Nutritional yeast, commonly referred to as Nooch, is basically a deactivated yeast species called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast used to make bread and brew beer is also made from this yeast species.The yeast is cultured on sugary mediums, such as sugarcane and molasses, and is widely known for its nutty, cheesy, umami flavor. Even though nutritional yeast is popularly known as a vegan cheese substitute, it’s also often used as a supplement to increase the nutritional value of cooked foods.In addition to being delicious and nutritious, nutritional yeast is also naturally gluten-free, sugar-free, fat-free, low in sodium, and vegan-friendly. |
Best Nutritional Yeast for Vegans
1. Bragg Nutritional Yeast Seasoning
Bragg is one of the most popular nutritional yeast brands. And rightly so! It’s cheesy, umami flavor is simply out of this world. But, flavor is not the only thing that Bragg’s nooch has to offer.
It’s also GMO-free certified and fortified with a range of vital nutrients that vegans diet may lack. These include B vitamins, folic acid, and niacin. Bragg’s nutritional yeast also provides naturally occurring beta-glucan fiber. Moreover, there is no detectable lead in it, which is a major issue with many nooch brands.
Bragg’s nutritional yeast comes in a convenient shaker bottle, making it easier to use. It also comes at a highly affordable price and can be found in almost every grocery store nationwide.
2. Red Star Nutritional Yeast Flakes
Red Star nutritional yeast is widely characterized as the most affordable nutritional yeast option available on the market. But, don’t mistake its low price for poor quality. Red Star may not be as old as Bragg (which has been around for over 100 years now), but it is a reputable name in the nooch world.
Red Star nutritional yeast flakes are free of preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors. They are also packed with B-complex vitamins, a range of minerals, and dietary fiber.
3. Bob’s Red Mill Large Flake Nutritional Yeast
You may know Bob’s Red Mill for its high-quality grains, flours, and baking mixes (it is one of the absolute favorite brands of bakers), but the company also offers nutritional yeast.
Bob’s Red Mill’s large flake nooch is packed with B vitamins and offers a good eight grams of protein per serving. Its only downside is the price; it costs more than many other nutritional yeast brands out there.
4. Revly Nutritional Yeast
If you’re looking for a non-fortified nutritional yeast, Revly’s is one of your best options. Not only it brings great taste to your foods, it’s also highly affordable.
Revly’s nutritional yeast comes in powdered form, allowing for more diverse and easy usage. Even though it’s non-fortified, it’s chock-full of naturally occurring B vitamins and also contains a good amount of protein and folate. In case you didn’t already know, Revly is a brand owned by Amazon, so you can be assured of good quality.
5. Anthony’s Non-Fortified Nutritional Yeast
Do you love the cheesy flavor that nutritional yeast offers, but don’t want to feed your body with all those synthetic vitamins that most of them come packed with? Anthony’s non-fortified nutritional yeast is your best option! This all-natural product does not contain any added nutrients.
It doesn’t give you the added boost of vitamins and minerals, but it still provides a great flavour range of natural nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between fortified and non-fortified nutritional yeast?
Fortified nutritional yeast is supplemented with synthetic vitamins and minerals during the manufacturing process, whereas the non-fortified nutritional yeast is all-natural.
It’s important to note that although non-fortified nooch isn’t as nutrient-rich as the fortified one, it still contains vitamins and minerals that the yeast naturally produces as it grows on the sugar-rich medium.
Why do vegans use nutritional yeast?
There are two primary reasons for the widespread use of nutritional yeast in the vegan world. Firstly, it allows vegans to add a delicious cheesy flavor to their foods without compromising on their dietary commitments. And secondly, it’s a great source of B vitamins, which are often lacking in vegan diets. Nutritional yeast is also a good source of protein and amino acids.
Are yeast flakes the same as nutritional yeast?
Yes. Nutritional yeast comes both in the form of flakes and powder.
Is Bragg’s nutritional yeast non-fortified?
No. Both the Bragg’s nutritional yeast flakes and seasoning are fortified.
Is Bragg’s nutritional yeast vegan?
Bragg’s nutritional yeast is 100% vegan.
Is Red Star nutritional yeast vegan?
Nutritional yeast is always vegan. This means all the varieties of nooch available on the market are suitable for vegans, including the one from Red Star.
Need some ideas on how to use nutritional yeast? Check out the following video for three great ways to use this vegan cheese substitute to enhance the flavor and nutrient profile of your plant-based foods…
Conclusion
Nutritional yeast is a staple in every vegan’s pantry. It’s not only a great vegan substitute for cheese, but also helps improve the nutrient content of plant-based foods. It’s a good source of protein, B vitamins, and a range of minerals. If you haven’t jumped into the world of nooch yet, give it a try, and I promise, you’ll never miss the original cheesy flavor ever again.
Did you find this article helpful? Interested to learn about the vegan substitutes for other dairy products? Check out my articles Best Vegan Milk Brands and Best Vegan Cream Cheese Brands!
