I’d seen nutritional yeast popping up on the healthy living blogs (like Healthy Tipping Point, Caitlin loves to make Mmmm Sauce with it) but I wasn’t sure what it was and where to get it, so I filed it away as something to try someday. While scooping nuts and beans out of the bulk bins at the Bellevue Whole Foods I noticed a bin of nutritional yeast and decided to give it a go.
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast. A fungus (like mushrooms). Looks like flakes of yellow powder. And is gluten, dairy, and sugar free while being a source of vitamins and protein (it’s actually a complete protein).
But what to make with it?
A Pinterest search saved the day of course. I noticed people were pinning a site that talked about sprinkling nutritional yeast on popcorn. If you are a popcorn lover like me (it sits at the top of my list of favorite foods, next to cheese and cheesecake), you absolutely must try this.
You don’t need any sort of recipe. Just make popcorn as you would normally make it (add butter if you’d like to indulge), salt it, and then sprinkle nutritional yeast on top. After you’ve tossed it all together dive right in and you’ll find yourself wondering how something that tastes so cheesy could possibly be vegan. It’s creamy and addictive and oh-so-good.
Someone on Formspring said they make a salad dressing with nutritional yeast, which I’m very excited to try. How else have you used this delicious powdery substance?
July 25th, 2011 on 1:30 pm
LOVE yeast on popcorn! There’s a movie theatre in my hometown in Eugene, OR where you can get popcorn w/yeast at the concession stand, it’s awesome, yay for hippies! LOL.
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July 25th, 2011 on 1:41 pm
Ok this is silly but…I’m not a big fan of cheese. But I’ve wanted to try nutritional yeast because it’s so good for you. I DO like cheeze-its and Goldfish crackers, and I like salty cheese like Parmesan in small amounts…so would I like this? (I know my cheese aversion makes no sense and frustrates my husband to no end, but we all have our things, right?)
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Jenna Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Yes, I think you would. It’s not as strong, but reminds me of Parmesan on cheese. You’d probably like it because it’s a little bit more mild.
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July 25th, 2011 on 1:46 pm
I tried making a vegan macaroni & cheese once and it was made primarily with nutritional yeast. I personally wasn’t a fan of the flavor. I think I was more “mentally” grossed out by what nutritional yeast was than anything. Which I know is so ridiculous. We should be more grossed out by where actual cheese comes from than a natural fungus, but I still couldn’t get myself to like it. A $20 can of nutritional yeast went to waste! I should have tried this though, I might have liked it.
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Jenna Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
That’s how I felt trying it for the first time! I’m trying to be more like Anthony Bourdain and have “No Reservations”, as I’d like to experience more flavors/textures/etc.
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Michelle Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
I really wish I had this attitude. I think I can, I think I can..Haha. Maybe I’ll give it another shot.
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July 25th, 2011 on 1:51 pm
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve seen it and wondered what to do with it. Here in Tri-Cities you can get it in the bulk bins at Winco. Also, I just jumped on the bandwagon of microwaving plain kernels in a brown paper bag. I don’t know if that’s how you already make popcorn…but the recipe is to dump a half-cup of plain kernels in a brown lunch sack, fold the top over, and microwave like regular. Yummo. I’ll have to try the yeast soon!
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Jenna Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Does it blow your mind that you can make popcorn like that? How did we all get tricked into thinking we need to have fancy/expensive devices to make it for us?
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caleefille Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Um, yes! And, how awesome to flavor it myself without oil.
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Kira Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Thanks for this trick, I’m definitely going to try it!
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July 25th, 2011 on 2:05 pm
A lot of the local pizza places here in town have shakers of nutritional yeast available for sprinkling on your slices. Sounds like a great alternative to parmesan - you’ve inspired me to actually try it next time we’re out too!
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July 25th, 2011 on 2:14 pm
At first I cringed, but because of you I have been a lot more adventurous with foods, so I will have to look for this next time I’m grabbing my oatmeal from the bulk bin!
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July 25th, 2011 on 2:26 pm
I need to try nutritional yeast again…I have been tainted by childhood memories of my dad’s home brewed “power drink.” Brace yourself. The ingredients are: water, nutritional yeast, vitamin c powder and soy lethicin granules. He used to make us drink them before yard work and before our SATs and stuff. He still drinks one every morning.
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sarah Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Sounds gross. I wonder if he uses Brewers yeast instead of nutritional yeast?? Sometimes the names are used interchangeably but they are different things. Either way, his concoction sounds nasty. Definitely give nutritional yeast a try. I love it sprinkled on pasta with butter or olive oil, sundried tomatoes, and toasted walnuts.
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sarah Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
allisonk…when I reread my comment, it sounded really mean! That wasn’t my intention. Just goes to show you that some things don’t translate to the internet too well. Sorry!!
But do try nutritional yeast
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July 25th, 2011 on 2:27 pm
I love nooch and put it on pretty much everything savory: chili, pasta, nachos, burritos, salad, grilled or sauteed veggies, etc. I put it in my peanut sauce, too. I could eat it every day!
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July 25th, 2011 on 3:15 pm
I just tried this this past weekend and loved it! I added pepper, though. I like a little bite
I’m dying to make some more recipes out of Nutritional Yeast!
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July 25th, 2011 on 3:16 pm
Hmm, good to know! I have some nutritional yeast I picked up at a bulk bin place a while ago and haven’t used yet! Yum! Thanks for sharing
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July 25th, 2011 on 3:42 pm
Best tip of the day! I love popcorn and was even planning a post on my favorite toppings. I can’t wait to try this one! And instead of butter I always use olive oil.
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July 25th, 2011 on 4:09 pm
I just noticed yesterday that they have it at Rosauers! My little local grocer that caters to old people has nutritional yeast. I stood and stared for a full minute trying to remember where I was… Yup, still Spokane.
I’ll have to try this!
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July 25th, 2011 on 4:33 pm
I did this with brewer’s yeast when I was pumping and having trouble keeping my supply up. I tried to add brewer’s yeast to everything and the employee at Whole Foods recommended popcorn so I tried it. It was pretty good!
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July 25th, 2011 on 4:33 pm
I just tried it for the first time last week! I made Mama Pea’s Mmmm Sauce which uses quite a bit of nutritional yeast. I sort of have mixed feelings about the sauce, I think primarily because I’m not a huge curry fan and it has curry powder in it. My husband really likes it though. I plan on making it again, but subbing the curry powder with some other spice. I think it’s easily adaptable like that (at least I hope so).
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July 25th, 2011 on 4:44 pm
YUM!! My family ate popcorn this way all growing up! I love that stuff.
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July 25th, 2011 on 4:48 pm
We put this on popcorn all the time but also add a tad bit of olive oil to make the yeast stick. We also add a few shakes of Spike, an all natural seasoning. Try a bit of olive oil and you won’t be sad you did!!!
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July 25th, 2011 on 4:49 pm
Duuuude, I have been on the nutritional yeast + popcorn RAMPAGE lately! So good, I don’t even need butter. There is a local (New England) brand of packaged popcorn - Little Lads - that uses nutritional yeast in the spice mix and I got hooked.
With all the greens in my farmshare lately, I picked up this recipe from Oh She Glows - http://ohsheglows.com/2011/05/12/lightened-up-protein-power-goddess-bowl/ - which uses a sauce similar to Mmmm sauce. I find it quite tasty and you can eat it warm or cold!
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July 25th, 2011 on 5:05 pm
I’d love to know how else you use nutritional yeast. I’d really like to try it, but I’m afraid of how I would use it all!
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July 25th, 2011 on 6:42 pm
I’d heard great things about dips made with raw, soaked cashews and nutritional yeast. I’ve yet to try it but I really want to!
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July 25th, 2011 on 7:40 pm
popcorn, of course! i’ve made mama pea’s mmm sauce dozens of times and LOVE it. i just made it last night, in fact.
i like to mix equal parts tahini sauce/nutritional yeast and add a little water to thin it out. i use it as a “cheese” sauce on cooked spaghetti squash mixed with other cooked veggies.
i am so trying this on popcorn tonight! i can’t wait
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July 25th, 2011 on 8:15 pm
also, this recipe is fabulous!
http://goodlookingcook.blogspot.com/2011/05/cheesy-kale-chips.html
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July 25th, 2011 on 9:53 pm
I was just wondering a few days ago whether it would be worth giving nutritional yeast a try. Looks like now I have my answer!
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July 25th, 2011 on 10:55 pm
My all-time favorite, can’t eat any other kind of popcorn: nutitional yeast, butter, salt, oregano or basil, garlic powder and a sprinkle of cayenne. So, so, so yummy!
Another wonderful thing with nutritional yeast is what we call “nirvana sauce” - it’s a mixture of nutritional yeast, olive oil, Bragg’s amino acids (like soy sauce), onions and raw cashews, all blended together. I don’t know the proportions because my housemate always makes it, but it’s wonderful on veggies & quinoa/rice.
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Jenna Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
I just ate Bragg’s on popcorn for the first time tonight! I can’t wait to buy some and start using it.
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July 26th, 2011 on 8:20 am
I love that you’re a popcorn lover too! Try this: chili powder and dill. You can also add some grated sharp cheddar cheese if you want to indulge. It’s based on a Marcus Samuelsson recipe I found somewhere and it’s gooood.
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July 26th, 2011 on 9:00 am
Google “Yumm Sauce” and “Yumm Bowls” They are DIVINE!!!!! I’ve tweaked the recipe a little to my liking, but it’s very fresh and creamy so it’s delicious as a dip, on salads, or of course on YUMM Bowls.
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July 26th, 2011 on 10:08 am
That’s funny… I was in Washington State last month and that’s when I first heard of nutritional yeast on popcorn too!
I saw it in a recipe for tofu scramble but could never find it, so when I was visiting my parents local farm store I looked for it in their bulk section and that’s when the worker recommended it on popcorn. I thought she was crazy, but it sounds delish actually!
Now if I could only find it here in MD/DC…
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July 26th, 2011 on 10:42 am
I’ve used it in scrambles, in cashew cheese mixes, in salad dressings, and sprinkled on salad, quinoa/rice mixtures, or on vegan tacos. If you google nutritional yeast vegan cheese recipes you will get hundreds of hits. I’m not a big popcorn fan but I’ve used it and liked it on popcorn.
One thing to make note of- a few online sources recommend not eating more than 3 tbsps per day due to a possible increase in uric acid (this isn’t hard though, since most cheese recipes don’t contain that much nutritional yeast to begin with). This cheese recipe is really good-
http://vegangrandma.blogspot.com/2006/11/vegan-melty-pizza-cheese-and-some.html
And bonus, it has a ton of good info on the benefits of nutritional yeast, the vitamins in it, and it’s history- for anyone thinking it’s a weird, new, hippie dippy type thing, it’s been in use since ancient Egypt
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July 26th, 2011 on 11:43 am
Whoa! This sounds too cool: I must try it.
My favorite popcorn topping as of late is sriracha. The sweet/spicy drops of the sriracha against the salty popcorn is SO addicting…
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July 26th, 2011 on 12:34 pm
I haven’t tried it on popcorn yet. But I think I will.
We always had wheat germ flakes and nutritional yeast as I grew up that we used to sprinkle on salads. I still do that especially since it has a few good things (that I can’t remember) in it recommended for people who eat a vegetarian diet. It’s considered a nutritional supplement I belive.
I also found this great miso-peanut-nutritional yeast sauce in my vegetarian cookbook. It has this beautiful golden color and it’s awesome over veggies and grains.
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July 26th, 2011 on 1:48 pm
That’s a good start…but you know what’s even better? Sprinkling nutritional yeast AND dill onto your popcorn.
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July 26th, 2011 on 3:35 pm
I use it when I make seitan roast and I sprinkle it on homeade pizza and Itlaian food like Parmesan.
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July 26th, 2011 on 5:35 pm
I’ve seen various food blogs touting the nutritional benefits of nutritional yeast, but I’ve always been hesitant to try it. I’ve been following your blog for a long time, and the changes you’ve made to your diet have given me the courage to try new things.
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July 28th, 2011 on 9:05 pm
you inspired me - I just bought some nutritional yeast and popcorn kernels at whole foods. Microwave kettle corn (unhealthy stuff) used to be a favorite snack of mine but I cut it out as I’m attempting less processed foods.. I’m excited to try the paper bag in the microwave method!
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August 8th, 2011 on 2:49 pm
I have put ‘truffle oil’ on my popcorn with some s/p. It is YUMMY, though probably not as nutritional
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