It’s a delicious, addictingly cheesy condiment beloved by vegans, but does nutritional yeast expire? If you’re new to this unique seasoning ingredient, you may be confused as to why the package doesn’t have an expiration date.
How long is nutritional yeast safe to use? Does it ever really go bad? How should it be stored? As a vegan registered dietitian, I’ll answer these questions and provide bonus tips on how to use up your nutritional yeast so you can get the most out of this amazing seasoning!
What is nutritional yeast?
Nutritional yeast (or “nooch” for short) is a seasoning and condiment made from deactivated Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. It differs from brewer’s yeast in that since it’s deactivated, it doesn’t act as a leavening agent.
Beloved by vegans and plant-based enthusiasts, these yellow flakes have a pleasant cheese-like flavor. It’s used to boost the nutritional value and flavor of a variety of plant-based dishes.
Nutritional yeast is available in fortified or unfortified varieties. Fortified nutritional yeast is high in B vitamins like:
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Niacin (Vitamin B3)
- Pyroxidine (Vitamin B6)
- Folic acid (Vitamin B9)
- Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
For vegans, nutritional yeast is an important dietary source of vitamin B12. Nutritional yeast is also a surprisingly good source of complete protein, containing optimal proportions of all nine essential amino acids. Two tablespoons contain 5 grams of protein!
It’s often used in plant-based recipes meant to replace cheese, like cashew “queso” or parmesan, but it’s also used to add a savory, cheesy boost of flavor to many other dishes. It can be used as a dry seasoning and also blends well into sauces and soups.
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Does nutritional yeast expire?
In general, nutritional yeast is shelf-stable and will stay at its best for up to two years when stored properly.
Most nutritional yeast is labeled with a “best by” date, meaning that its quality will be highest prior to that date. For example, I recently bought a container of nutritional yeast that has a “best by” date two years in the future.
You won’t see an expiration date for nutritional yeast since it won’t “go bad” unless it’s been exposed to excess moisture or warm temperatures that foster the growth of unwanted microbes like bacteria, mold, or yeasts. That said, the product quality and fortified vitamins (if present) will degrade over time.
In addition, the B vitamins in nutritional yeast are sensitive to light and heat1. Excessive exposure to these factors can lead to the degradation of these vitamins.
Signs of spoilage
Fresh, good-quality nutritional yeast should be dry and flaky. You should be able to shake a jar of it easily.
Signs that your nutritional yeast may have been exposed to moisture or heat can include the presence of:
- Clumps
- Damp to the touch
- Mold
- Off-putting aromas
- Discoloration
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Storage tips
To keep your nutritional yeast flakes fresh for as long as possible, follow these storage tips:
- Store in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry, refrigerator, or freezer.
- Choose an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid that will block moisture.
- Choose a darkly colored or opaque storage container that will block light.
Ways to use up extra nutritional yeast
Nutritional yeast is such a delicious and versatile ingredient that I’d be surprised if it lasts more than two years in your home! If you need more ideas for using it up, however, I’ve got you covered.
- Sprinkle on pasta, pizza, casseroles, enchiladas, popcorn, tofu scrambles, and baked potatoes.
- Add to cheesy sauces (I love cashew “queso” and creamy pasta sauces made with silken tofu!).
- Use to make “cheesy” mashed potatoes.
- Mix with ground hemp seeds and a pinch of salt to make vegan “parmesan”.
- Stir into soups and soups for a boost of flavor and creaminess.
- Add to vegan pesto to replace the dairy.
- Make vegan “nuggets” by coating cubed, pressed tofu in nutritional yeast and bread crumbs and baking or air-frying until crispy.
- Use in homemade crackers and biscuit dough.
Summary
Properly stored nutritional yeast doesn’t truly expire but will degrade in quality over time. This is especially true for the B vitamins in fortified nutritional yeast.
Most nutritional yeast has a “best by” date of about two years after you purchase it. It should stay nice and fresh if you store it in a cool, dark place away from excessive heat, moisture, and light.
The scientific information in this article was accurate at the time of publishing but may change over time as new research becomes available.
References
- Monajjemzadeh F, Ebrahimi F, Zakeri-Milani P, Valizadeh H. Effects of formulation variables and storage conditions on light protected vitamin B12 mixed parenteral formulations. Adv Pharm Bull. 2014;4(4):329-338. doi:10.5681/apb.2014.048