20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (2024)

These 20 vegan recipes with nutritional yeast are delicious and plant-based. I love nutritional yeast because it tastes like nutty cheese. It really improves the flavor of pasta recipes, soups, salads, and even popcorn.

Nutritional yeast can be found at most supermarkets, and it’s relatively inexpensive. It’s a staple in my pantry because I use it for so many meals. Here are some of my favorite vegan recipes that use nutritional yeast.

1. Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (1)

This vegan recipe from Well Fed Baker uses nutritional yeast to get that amazing cheesy flavor in this delicious soup. If you were a fan of Broccoli Cheddar Soup before you went vegan, you’ll want to give this one a try. Where many cheesy vegan recipes use nuts, this one is nut-free!

2. Savory Vegan Muffins

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (2)

These savory vegan muffins from Rainbow Nourishments are the perfect breakfast to grab-and-go when you’re in a hurry. If you have some nutritional yeast on hand, you’ll want to give these a try. They’re also packed with fresh veggies so you can feel really good about eating them! It’s a sneaky way to get in a dose of veggies.

3. Vegan Goldfish Crackers

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (3)

If you’re a parent with a little one that loves crackers, you’re in luck. Did you know you could make your own goldfish crackers? These allergy-free crackers from Strength and Sunshine are adorable and use nutritional yeast for their cheesy flavor and yellow color.

4. Black Bean Burgers

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (4)

I don’t know any vegan that doesn’t love a good black bean burger. The nutritional yeast is optional in this recipe, but I recommend using it! Try this vegan recipe for black bean burgers from Cuisine With Me.

5. Nut-Free Vegan Nacho Cheese

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (5)

Nutritional yeast is very often used to create vegan cheese recipes. This creamy nacho cheese will have you forgetting all about traditional cheese. Try it on nachos, or even mix it up and use it for a vegan pizza or black bean burger topper.

6. Dairy-Free Broccoli Soup

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (6)

Another delicious soup on the menu! This recipe is not vegan by default, but it can very easily be made vegan. Swap out the chicken broth for your favorite vegetable based broth. This tasty recipe from Dairy Free For Baby is perfect for a nice cozy night in when the weather is cold.

7. One-Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (7)

Mac and cheese was one thing I really missed when I went vegan. I love one-pot meals because they’re so easy to make, and this one is delicious and creamy. This recipe from Strength and Sunshine uses nutritional yeast to create an amazing vegan version of mac and cheese. A classic favorite only made better

8. Vegan Pistachio Cheese Ball

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (8)

Pistachios make the best vegan cheese balls. This is a great recipe for a dinner party or potluck.

9. Tofu Egg Scramble

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (9)

This vegan egg scramble doesn’t use eggs at all. It uses tofu and nutritional yeast for a vegan twist on a classic favorite. You can dress this scramble up with any veggies or seasonings you want.

10. Homemade Spaghetti-O’s

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (10)

This kid-friendly recipe for a classic favorite uses nutritional yeast to bring up the flavor. We all know that the traditional one’s in a can are not the best option. So, opt to make your own at home with this healthy version from Strength and Sunshine.

11. Vegan Pasta Al Limone

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (11)

I don’t know about you, but I can never have too much pasta in my life. This creamy recipe uses lemon and nutritional yeast for a delicious weeknight dinner.

12. Vegan Pumpkin Soup

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (12)

When fall comes around, there is always an abundance of pumpkins and squash. This vegan pumpkin soup uses nutritional yeast for a satisfying dinner or lunch.

13. Sweet and Spicy Ginger Tofu

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (13)

This yummy recipe tastes as good as takeout when you’re craving something different. You can make it extra spicy with the addition of cayenne pepper which compliments the nutritional yeast perfectly.

14. Vegan Breakfast Hash

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (14)

This recipe doesn’t use nutritional yeast directly in it. But, I always sprinkle some on top for an extra cheesy flavor. If you love sweet potatoes and breakfast hash, check out this recipe.

15. Air Fryer Croutons

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (15)

If you like adding croutons to your salad, you’ll want to try these cheezy nutritional yeast croutons. I love using my air-fryer and this easy recipe is a keeper! Move over packaged croutons! There is a healthier option in town.

16. Homemade Bouillon Powder

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (16)

We all know how much flavor bouillon powder can add to a dish. This flavor-packed powder is the perfect addition to many vegan recipes. And, it uses nutritional yeast.

17. Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (17)

Another vegan cheese sauce? You can never have too many. This vegan cheese sauce is nut-free and uses nutritional yeast for its cheesy flavor. Use it on tofu scramble, nachos, or black bean burgers.

18. Homemade Italian Salad Dressing

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (18)

This vegan salad dressing is exactly what you need to level up your next salad. Nutritional yeast, along with the other spices, add a ton of flavor to any bland salad.

19. Easy Savory Vegan Spinach Muffins

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (19)

Nutritional yeast really compliments any meal that is savory. These spinach muffins are a great on-the-go meal option that is filling and satisfying.

20. Easy Vegan Cheese Balls

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (20)

Is there anything better than a cheese ball? This recipe is the perfect appetizer for a party or potluck. It’s sure to please all the vegans (and non-vegans) that grab one for a bite!

Honorable mentions

These are some additional vegan recipes using nutritional yeast that I just can’t get enough of:

I hope this list of vegan recipes using nutritional yeast helped spark your interest and creativity in the kitchen! It’s such an amazing and versatile ingredient. If you have any other recipes you love that use nutritional yeast, be sure to share them!

20 Delicious Vegan Recipes With Nutritional Yeast (2024)

FAQs

How do vegans use nutritional yeast? ›

A source of complete protein, you can use nutritional yeast to thicken and flavor soups and stews, sprinkle it onto crunchy snacks and so much more. For those following a vegan diet, it's a good source of cheese flavor when making pastas or anything where you'd want cheese.

What is good to mix with nutritional yeast? ›

You can sprinkle nutritional yeast over popcorn for the most addictive vegan snack, or use a little nutritional yeast to add umami to alfredo sauce, Caesar salad dressing or vegan egg salad. Use a little more to build a cheesy flavour in this broccoli pesto, this vegan spinach dip or to make a DIY vegan parmesan.

What does nutritional yeast replace in vegan recipes? ›

That's where nutritional yeast comes into play. In cooking, nutritional yeast is used to replicate the flavors of cheese in vegan dishes. It can also be used as a topping for extra flavor, or used to thicken sauces or soups.

Is there any downside to nutritional yeast? ›

Nutritional yeast can trigger or worsen symptoms associated with IBD. Trigger headaches or migraine attacks: Nutritional yeast may trigger migraine attacks in some individuals with migraine susceptibility because of the presence of tyramine (derived from the amino acid, tyrosine).

Can I eat nutritional yeast everyday? ›

It's not clear how much nutritional yeast is safe to eat daily. However, having two tablespoons of nutritional yeast is unlikely to cause health problems while nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals. Talk to your doctor to see if adding it to your diet meets your nutrition goals.

How much nutritional yeast should a vegan eat? ›

Including just 2 tablespoons a day can help vegans incorporate important nutrients in their diets, so having a canister of this wonder food around is a good way to ensure you'll get that extra nutritional boost.

What is better than nutritional yeast? ›

Luckily, there are many nutritional yeast substitutes available that can provide a similar flavor profile. White miso paste, brewer's yeast, yeast extract, and cashews are all great substitutes for nutritional yeast. If you're in a bind, you could also try vegetable broth, sunflower seeds or chickpea flour.

Does cooking nutritional yeast destroy vitamins? ›

Even though nutritional yeast is a great ingredient to cook with, the healthiest way to eat it is raw. B vitamins have a tendency to break down rapidly when they are heated, so if you're cooking with fortified yeast, you're likely losing most of those added B vitamins.

Can too much nutritional yeast make you sick? ›

The high fiber content of nutritional yeast can cause digestive upset if you aren't used to consuming a high-fiber diet. Introducing too much fiber too quickly can lead to stomach discomfort like cramps or diarrhea. Introduce nutritional yeast gradually and consume plenty of fiber to avoid this unpleasant side effect.

Does nutritional yeast need to be refrigerated? ›

You do not need to refrigerate nutritional yeast, so you may see it stored in bulk bins in health food stores or grocery stores. It has a shelf life of about two years when stored correctly; keep nutritional yeast in a jar on the countertop or in a cool, dark place like a pantry.

Does heat destroy the benefits of nutritional yeast? ›

Moreover, it carries a fair amount of minerals and all vitamins B. With every tablespoon of nutritional yeast, you give a nutritional boost to your diet. And yes, all these nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, as well as aroma and flavor resist heating.

How do vegans justify eating yeast? ›

Unlike animals, yeast lacks a nervous system. Therefore, its consumption causes no animal suffering, exploitation, or cruelty. This makes yeast a suitable choice for vegans.

Can you eat nutritional yeast on a plant-based diet? ›

Vitamin B12 is typically found only in animal products (e.g., dairy), so as Ward points out, fortified nutritional yeast is a good source of the nutrient for those practicing a plant-based diet. It's also rich in vitamins such as B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), and B9 (folic acid).

Do raw vegans eat nutritional yeast? ›

Not to be confused with brewer's yeast or baker's yeast, nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, and it is a vegan and raw vegan's best friend. Packed with nutrients, it is high in protein and fortified with B12, so it is essential to a vegan diet. Plus…it tastes damn good!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 6822

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.