nutritional yeast

noun

plural nutritional yeasts

: a deactivated yeast (such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae) used in powdered or flake form as a flavoring or condiment

Nutritional yeast is not a byproduct; it's grown specifically for dietary supplement use and has a better taste and nutritional profile than brewer's yeast (some brands are good sources of B-12). Its pleasant nutty-cheesy flavor makes it appealing to vegetarians—as a topping for popcorn, for example.

—Andrew Weil

Examples of nutritional yeast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Try this tofu ground beef recipe, seasoned with chili powder, garlic, onion, smoked paprika and nutritional yeast. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024

The couple leans on ingredients like avocado oil mayo, coconut aminos instead of soy sauce or tamari, coconut sugar, kefir instead of yogurt or sour cream, miso, nutritional yeast instead of cheese, and stevia instead of table sugar and the like. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024

Safety, benefits and what to know Is there any downside to nutritional yeast? —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024

Cashew ‘Sour Cream’ 1/2 cup raw cashews 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon nutritional yeast 1/2 probiotic capsule Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Soak cashews overnight in 2 cups of water. —Nina Lincoff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Parmesan or even a pinch of nutritional yeast adds extra oomph. —Sara Franklin, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

Drain the cashews and add to a blender or food processor with lemon juice and nutritional yeast. —Nina Lincoff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Herbed Popcorn Dried herbs, a touch of spice and nutritional yeast give popcorn loads of flavor. —Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024

Also, nutritional yeast can replace the Parmesan cheese, offering very similar flavors. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above