Best Nutritional Yeast

Last Updated: Apr 26, 2023 @ 1:17 pm.

Best Less Salt: Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning

Nutritional yeast comes in two basic varieties: powder or flakes. We tried out several popular brands of nutritional yeast, sprinkling them on popcorn and mixing it into risotto as a substitute for parmesan cheese.

One big difference we noticed among brands: the amount of salt. Since nutritional yeast is basically used as a substitute for cheese, how salty it tastes can vary widely from brand to brand.

Since we know some folks prefer a less salty taste, we looked for brands that had the best flavor with the least sodium. In the end, we thought Bragg’s Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning tasted the best.

What We Liked

• Very tasty!

• Nice cheesy flavor profile.

• Sugar free.

• Gluten free.

• Shake top bottle is convenient.

• No eggs, milk, starch or soy.

• No artificial colors or preservatives.

• Two basic ingredients: yeast and B-vitamins.

What Needs Work

• Flakes too big? Some folks prefer smaller flakes of other brands. We weren’t bothered by this and thought they were the right size for most dishes.

Best Budget-Friendly: Anthony’s Premium Nutritional Yeast Flakes

No, nutritional yeast doesn’t have to be priced like it comes from a hotel mini bar! This pick, Anthony’s Premium, is both yummy and easier on the wallet.

What We Liked

• Nice, cheesy flavor. We liked the taste of this yeast, which provided a cheesy texture . . . without the dairy!

• Gluten-free.

• No GMO’s.

• Not fortified = no synthetic vitamins. 

• Doesn’t have to be refrigerated. 

• Affordable. 

What Needs Work

• More like a powder than flakes, in our opinion. That was fine with us, but we know some folks would prefer flakes.

• Too salty? Yes, Anthony’s has three times the sodium of Bragg’s. We liked the taste, but we know some folks may find this too salty.

Best For Popcorn: Foods Alive Nutritional Yeast Flakes

One favorite use for nutritional yeast is as a topping for popcorn. But we realize not all brands are equally good as a popcorn topping—they don’t stick or have the right texture.

Foods Alive, however, was great for popcorn—just the right amount of crunch. Plus the more powdery texture adhered better to the popcorn we made.

What We Liked

• No synthetic vitamins.

• Crunchy, powdery texture.

• No GMO’s.

• Gluten-free.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

• Too powdery for some folks. As a cheese substitute, we know nutritional yeast fans sometimes prefer flakes to powder. This brand is definitely more on the powder end of the spectrum!

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