Nutritional yeast is a staple of vegan diets. Not only is it packed with important nutrients and fortified with vitamins, but it is also the best, animal-free alternative to your favorite cheesy treats.
If you find yourself missing cheese after adopting a vegan diet and find that the vegan cheese alternatives just don’t cut it, nutritional yeast could be the answer to your prayers.
Whether you want to add an extra cheesy flavor to your next vegan pizza or you want to try your hand at recreating your favorite vegan mac and cheese from that incredible vegan restaurant in town, this is the ingredient you need.
As with any ingredient that adds flavor, however, there are some brands that are superior to others and will take your vegan cooking to a new level.
In this article, we will look at the best nutritional yeast brands on the market that can help you satisfy your cheese cravings.
We have also included a helpful buyer’s guide at the end to help you make the most informed decision.
Why Is Nutritional Yeast So Good?
Apart from the cheesy flavor that it can bring to dishes such as mac and cheese, there are a slew of health benefits that are great to incorporate into a vegan diet.
Nutritional yeast is a vegan-friendly supplement that is gluten-free, versatile, budget-friendly, and provides an incredible source of B vitamins that can often be lacking in a vegan diet.
A tablespoon of nutritional yeast is capable of providing you with over 100% of the daily recommended amount of B12.
So, if you struggle to keep your B vitamin levels within a healthy range, this could really help you.
If you opt for a fortified version of nutritional yeast you will be getting a great source of antioxidants, folic acid, and trace minerals.
One of the best things about nutritional yeast, aside from the cheesy goodness, is that it is a complete protein that is perfect for adding to pasta, stews, curries, popcorn, cheese sauces, and even roasted chickpeas.
There are many reasons why NOW Sports nutritional yeast seasoning is widely considered by vegans to be the best all-rounder product.
For starters, it is one of the most readily available brands of nutritional yeast on the market.
It can be found in almost any grocery store and has a very reasonable price point, although it is not the cheapest.
NOW Supplements, Nutritional Yeast Flakes is a type of nutritional supplement made from deactivated yeast. It is a good source of protein and fiber and contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some of the key benefits of NOW Supplements, Nutritional Yeast Flakes include:
Pros:
Vegan-friendly: Nutritional yeast is a popular ingredient among vegans and vegetarians, as it is a good source of protein and other nutrients.
Rich in B-vitamins: Nutritional yeast is a good source of B-vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12.
Contains antioxidants: Nutritional yeast is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Versatile ingredient: Nutritional yeast flakes can be added to a variety of foods and recipes, making it a convenient and tasty way to supplement your diet.
Cons:
May not be suitable for everyone: Some people may be allergic to yeast or may have a yeast intolerance, so it's always best to check with a healthcare professional before taking nutritional yeast.
May cause digestive discomfort: Some people may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, after consuming nutritional yeast.
Flavor may not be for everyone: Nutritional yeast has a unique, nutty, and slightly cheesy flavor that some people may not like.
The KAL imported nutritional yeast flakes are one of the most affordable brands on this list and the best thing is that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for the cheaper price tag.
KAL Imported Nutritional Yeast Flakes contain a full spectrum of essential amino acids which help to maintain hormone levels and a variety of B vitamins.
They also contain 5g of protein per serving and feature a wonderfully nutty flavor.
One of the best things about these flakes is that they dissolve easily which makes them perfect for bringing extra nutritional value to dishes such as stews, soups, meatloaf, broths, protein shakes, and milkshakes.
The tin packaging for this product helps to keep the flakes fresh, flavorful, and most importantly, moisture-free when they are in your cupboard.
This provides the product with an even greater value for money as you won’t find yourself having to discard half of the flakes because they have gone stale or have formed one big lump because of humidity.
It is important to note that this product is not fortified with any B vitamins, this helps contribute to the lack of bitter taste that can sometimes occur in fortified nutritional yeast, however, it may not be the best choice if you have B vitamin deficiencies.
While we are on the topic of vitamin B deficiencies, B12 is a common deficiency for people who follow a vegan diet as it can be difficult to find in vegan foods.
However, Hoosier Hill Farm has come to the rescue with its nutritional yeast flakes.
This brand of nutritional yeast has been specifically fortified with vitamin B12 and a two-tablespoon serving provides a massive 1,460% of your daily recommended amount of B12.
That amount of B12 is not to be sniffed at, especially when it is so easily incorporated into your daily diet.
The price point of this product is incredibly reasonable too, making it one of the best options on this list.
The Hoosier Hill Farm nutritional yeast comes in one of the biggest containers of all the yeast products on this list, available in a one pound plastic jar that features a wide opening.
It doesn’t come with its own scoop so you may need to use your own measuring spoons to portion this out correctly.
If you are looking to sprinkle nutritional yeast onto your food as a topping rather than an ingredient in sauces and stews, you will likely have to use your hands to ensure you don’t end up dumping a pile of flakes onto your food.
If sprinkling yeast as a topping is your main goal with nutritional yeast, this may not be the best product for you.
Pros
Affordable price point
Large container
High levels of vitamin B12
Perfect for making large batches of stews and curries\
McCormick Nutritional Yeast is a type of deactivated yeast that is commonly used as a nutritional supplement. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and B-vitamins, and it is also low in fat and calories. Some of the key benefits of McCormick Nutritional Yeast include:
Pros:
Vegan-friendly: Nutritional yeast is a popular ingredient among vegans and vegetarians, as it is a good source of protein and other nutrients.
Rich in B-vitamins: Nutritional yeast is a good source of B-vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12.
Low in fat and calories: McCormick Nutritional Yeast is low in fat and calories, making it a healthy addition to your diet.
Versatile ingredient: Nutritional yeast flakes can be added to a variety of foods and recipes, making it a convenient and tasty way to supplement your diet.
Cons:
May not be suitable for everyone: Some people may be allergic to yeast or may have a yeast intolerance, so it's always best to check with a healthcare professional before taking nutritional yeast.
May cause digestive discomfort: Some people may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, after consuming nutritional yeast.
Flavor may not be for everyone: Nutritional yeast has a unique, nutty, and slightly cheesy flavor that some people may not like.
The nutritional yeast from Wholier is another non-fortified option.
This product is a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals despite not being fortified.
It is also a complete protein source, which means that it provides the essential amino acids the body cannot produce itself.
Wholier Nutritional Yeast Flakes with Prebiotics & Probiotics is a type of nutritional supplement made from deactivated yeast. In addition to being a good source of protein and fiber, it contains prebiotics and probiotics, which are beneficial for digestive health. Some of the key benefits of Wholier Nutritional Yeast Flakes with Prebiotics & Probiotics include:
Pros:
Vegan-friendly: Nutritional yeast is a popular ingredient among vegans and vegetarians, as it is a good source of protein and other nutrients.
Rich in B-vitamins: Nutritional yeast is a good source of B-vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12.
Contains prebiotics and probiotics: The prebiotics and probiotics in Wholier Nutritional Yeast Flakes can help support digestive health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Versatile ingredient: Nutritional yeast flakes can be added to a variety of foods and recipes, making it a convenient and tasty way to supplement your diet.
Cons:
May not be suitable for everyone: Some people may be allergic to yeast or may have a yeast intolerance, so it's always best to check with a healthcare professional before taking nutritional yeast.
May cause digestive discomfort: Some people may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, after consuming nutritional yeast.
Flavor may not be for everyone: Nutritional yeast has a unique, nutty, and slightly cheesy flavor that some people may not like.
Effectiveness of probiotics: The effectiveness of probiotics in promoting digestive health may vary among individuals and may not be supported by scientific evidence in all cases.
Foods Alive Nutritional Yeast Flakes is a type of nutritional supplement made from deactivated yeast. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and B-vitamins and is commonly used as a condiment or ingredient in vegan and vegetarian cooking. Some of the key benefits of Foods Alive Nutritional Yeast Flakes include:
Pros:
Vegan-friendly: Nutritional yeast is a popular ingredient among vegans and vegetarians, as it is a good source of protein and other nutrients.
Rich in B-vitamins: Nutritional yeast is a good source of B-vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12.
Gluten-free: Foods Alive Nutritional Yeast Flakes are gluten-free, making it a good option for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Versatile ingredient: Nutritional yeast flakes can be added to a variety of foods and recipes, making it a convenient and tasty way to supplement your diet.
Cons:
May not be suitable for everyone: Some people may be allergic to yeast or may have a yeast intolerance, so it's always best to check with a healthcare professional before taking nutritional yeast.
May cause digestive discomfort: Some people may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, after consuming nutritional yeast.
Flavor may not be for everyone: Nutritional yeast has a unique, nutty, and slightly cheesy flavor that some people may not like.
Buyer’s Guide
Although it may seem like there is very little difference between different types of nutritional yeast, there are a few things that should be considered when purchasing a new brand.
The strength of flavor, for example, is something that is very individual to each person.
However, there are some things that can be considered before purchasing the yeast that apply to everyone.
Fortified Vs Non-Fortified
One of the biggest things to consider when looking at purchasing nutritional yeast is whether you want fortified or non-fortified yeast.
There are a few differences between the two types of yeast that can affect whether you will enjoy them or not.
The most important difference is the presence of synthetic vitamins and minerals, while these are not inherently bad for your health, some people like to keep their diet as natural and free from additives as possible.
Although non-fortified nutritional yeast does not tend to contain nutrients in the sky high amounts that fortified nutritional yeast does, it still contains plenty of nutrients that contribute to a healthy diet.
Fortified nutritional yeast can also have a slightly bitter after taste which some people find unpleasant or unenjoyable.
Cost
While most nutritional yeast brands that are available in grocery stores are extremely reasonably priced and affordable, there are some discrepancies between brands.
One of the main things to consider when purchasing nutritional yeast is how much you are going to be using.
If you use nutritional yeast on a daily basis and particularly if you use it for the whole family, it is a better idea to purchase a bigger tub like the Hoosier Hill Farm product.
If you use nutritional yeast less often, or are trying it for the first time, a smaller container or pouch might be a better option so that you don’t end up wasting money.
Large Or Small Flakes
Nutritional yeast comes in various sizes.
A lot of the time, the sizes that you get in your tub are random and might even be a mixture, however, there are brands that specify the size on their packaging.
For example, the Bob’s Red Mill flakes are labeled as large on the packaging so you know that you are getting larger flakes.
Anthony’s nutritional yeast flakes on the other hand are more dust-like although this is not stated on the packaging but in reviews.
The size or consistency of yeast flakes don’t affect the flavor of the flakes but it does have a small impact on what the flakes are best used for.
For example, flakes that are smaller or a dusty consistency are perfect for blending into things such as batter and smoothies as they are much less likely to create any kind of unwanted texture in the food.
Alternatively, larger flakes are great for creating toppings for salads or even casseroles as they are less likely to accidentally dissolve into the food.
Lead Content
This one might be a little concerning on the surface, but all nutritional yeast products available in grocery stores are approved by the FDA and are perfectly safe to consume.
There are some brands of nutritional yeast that have been found to contain trace amounts of lead.
None of the levels are high enough to cause any harm, no matter how much of the product you consume thanks to stringent food safety regulations.
However, lead is lead and for obvious reasons many people do not feel comfortable consuming food that contains such a substance.
Luckily there are also plenty of nutritional yeast products that do not contain any traceable amounts of lead in them.
Best Nutritional Yeast Tips:
There are many brands of nutritional yeast available on the market, and it can be difficult to determine which one is the best. Some factors to consider when choosing a nutritional yeast include taste, texture, nutrient content, and price. Here are a few tips to help you choose a high-quality nutritional yeast:
Look for a brand that is fortified with vitamin B12. Many vegans and vegetarians rely on nutritional yeast as a source of this essential nutrient, so it is important to choose a brand that is fortified with B12.
Check the ingredient list. Choose a brand that uses pure, non-GMO yeast as the only ingredient. Some brands may add fillers or other ingredients, which can affect the taste and nutrient content.
Consider the taste and texture. Nutritional yeast has a savory, cheesy flavor and a slightly crunchy texture. Some people find the taste and texture to be appealing, while others do not. Choose a brand that has a flavor and texture that you enjoy.
Compare prices. Nutritional yeast can vary in price, so it is a good idea to compare prices and choose a brand that is affordable and fits within your budget.
It is also a good idea to read reviews and ask for recommendations from friends or healthcare providers to find a nutritional yeast that meets your needs and preferences.
Final Thoughts
There are so many options for nutritional yeast brands that are affordable and readily available both online and in most grocery stores.
Each brand brings their own benefits and downsides, but all of them contain huge health benefits and plenty of nutrients that can help to ensure you and your family are as healthy as possible.
Hi, my name is Clara Howie and I have been a vegan since I was 22 years old. Now, ten years later, I’d like to think that I’ve learned a few things about this way of life!
I can’t lie, when I first began my vegan journey, the majority of my diet did consist of just vegetables and fruit with the occasional piece of tofu thrown in.
I got back on my feet, though, and I vowed to never make that same mistake again! I spent my free time learning about how to nourish my body properly without the use of meat and animal products. It actually turned out to be pretty easy!
Now I am healthier than ever and working alongside a nutritionist to ensure that I don’t slip up again.
That’s what this website is all about! Helping more people turn to the vegan lifestyle in a healthy and happy manner. I’ve got recipes, advice, tricks, tips, and more coming your way, so don’t miss it!
