Nutritional yeast regularly makes lists of the best vegan spices and seasonings, and with good reason. It’s deliciously cheesy and versatile, used to add flavor to soups, sauces, popcorn, tofu scrambles, and more.
But do you do if the unthinkable happens and — horrors! — you run out of nooch? It’s a tough ingredient to replace, but you can still make dishes that taste great with the nutritional yeast alternatives I’ve curated below.
Why do recipes call for nutritional yeast?
Nutritional yeast (or “nooch” as it’s lovingly known) is a common ingredient in vegan, plant-based dishes because of its uniquely rich, savory, and cheesy flavor, something that’s difficult to replicate with typical herbs and spices.
Because it comes in flakes, it’s easy to sprinkle on top of popcorn, Buddha bowls, pasta, or any other dish that could use a cheesy boost. It also dissolves well in liquid, making it an excellent addition to soups, stews, sauces, and one of my personal favorites: vegan queso.
Some recipes may include nutritional yeast for its health benefits. Nooch is a surprisingly high source of protein, with 5 grams per tablespoon. Fortified nutritional yeast is also rich in B-vitamins like niacin, folate, and vitamin B12.
For this article, we’ll be focusing on alternatives that boost flavor or add creaminess to plant-based meals.
11 alternatives to nutritional yeast
Unfortunately, nutritional yeast is such a unique ingredient that there aren’t any true, direct substitutes.
That doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland food, though — there are other ways to add flavor. Try using these alternatives to nutritional yeast to get you through until your pantry is restocked:
1) Dried mushroom powder
Mushroom powder is an excellent substitute for the savory umami flavor of nutritional yeast. It may not taste cheesy, but the flavor boost it provides can’t be denied.
You can grind your own dried mushrooms into a powder or use a pre-packaged umami mushroom seasoning blend like the Good & Gather Umami Seasoning Blend at Target.
2) Turmeric
Ground turmeric is a great way to get that gorgeous golden color even if you don’t have nooch on hand. You don’t need much, only about ¼ to ½ a teaspoon. More than that and the earthy flavor might overpower your dish, depending on what you’re making.
3) Miso
Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans or chickpeas and is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
It has a savory, salty, umami flavor and can be easily mixed into warm broth, sauces, and soups.
4) Garlic powder
In my opinion, garlic powder is one of the most versatile and effective seasonings. It goes well with almost any savory dish and adds a ton of flavor that can’t be beaten.
5) Paprika
I add paprika to almost all of my favorite dishes. Even when added in small amounts, it provides an earthy, slightly smoky flavor that improves the depth of flavor of the whole dish.
Thanks to its beautiful red hue, it also adds a boost of color.
6) Low-sodium soy sauce
One umami-rich staple you probably already have in your pantry is soy sauce. It’s perfect in marinades, sauces, and soups.
I prefer lower-sodium soy sauce, which is still salty enough to provide tons of flavor without overdoing it on the sodium content when used in moderation.
For a soy-free option, try coconut aminos.
RELATED: Is Soy Sauce Vegan? Is It Healthy?
7) MSG
I realize that MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a highly controversial ingredient, but I want to help set the record straight here.
Research suggests1 that when used in excessively high amounts (more than you’d get in food), MSG may cause mild side effects. According to Harvard Medical School2, these symptoms occur when consuming high doses of more than 3 grams of MSG alone (not in food).
Negative health effects aren’t likely when MSG is used in the small amounts used to season food.
8) Vegan bouillon
Vegan bouillon cubes and bouillon pastes are convenient flavor boosters that work well in place of nutritional yeast in marinades, soups, stews, and sauces.
Vegetable bouillon is usually vegan, and brands like Better Than Bouillon and Edward & Sons offer animal-free beef and chicken bouillon options.
9) Cashew cream
Nutritional yeast dissolves well in liquids and can add a little creaminess to soups and sauces.
If you’re looking for another way to add creaminess, try adding cashew cream to these dishes.
Simply soak cashews (or sunflower seeds) in water overnight or in hot water for 30 minutes. Blend the cashews and a small amount of water in a blender until smooth.
10) Vegan parmesan or cheese shreds
If you can’t do without nooch’s cheesy flavor, you can add packaged vegan Parmesan cheese, vegan cheese shreds, or other vegan cheeses as desired, whatever you think will go best with your recipe.
11) Ground cashews (w/salt, for sprinkling)
Ground cashews with a sprinkle of sea salt and garlic powder are a great substitute when you would typically sprinkle nooch on top of popcorn, pasta, or a Buddha bowl.
Use a clean coffee grinder to grind the cashews, stirring in any preferred seasonings.
Final thoughts
While there aren’t any true vegan substitutes for the cheesy flavor of nutritional yeast, there are many spices and seasonings that can be used to add flavor to your meals.
These seasonings won’t replace the vitamin B12, protein, or other nutrients in fortified nutritional yeast, but they’ll certainly keep you from suffering through bland meals.
The scientific information in this article was accurate at the time of publishing but may change over time as new research becomes available.
References
- Zanfirescu A, Ungurianu A, Tsatsakis AM, et al. A review of the alleged health hazards of monosodium glutamate [published correction appears in Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2020 Jul;19(4):2330. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.12569.]. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2019;18(4):1111-1134. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12448
- Warner, Lindsey. Monosodium glutamate (MSG): What it is, and why you might consider avoiding foods that contain it. Harvard Medical School Harvard Health Publishing website. Published 7/2/2024. Accessed 2/14/25.
