Creamy Nutritional Yeast Dressing
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Published Apr 22, 2019, Updated May 16, 2022
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Nutritional yeast, alongside apple cider vinegar and garlic, gives this dressing an umami-rich flavor you can’t resist. You’ll find yourself wanting to drizzle it on everything!
I’m a huge fan of homemade dressings and have posted a ton over the years! One of my favorites has always been this oil-free zesty tahini dressing with nutritional yeast. And this nutritional yeast dressing is a spin-off of that one, only without the tahini and even more nutritional yeast. I originally created it as a dressing for my kale and cabbage salad, but honestly it’s delicious on just about anything. I like using it as a drizzle for steamed veggies and as a dip for baked chicken tenders.
What is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast made from molasses. It’s yellow in color and sold as flakes, granules or powder and can be found in the spice section or bulk bins of health food stores. I typically buy Bob’s Red Mill large flakes from Thrive Market.
Nutritional yeast has the word “nutritional” in its name for a reason! It is a complete protein – meaning it has all nine essential acids that we need! It is also high in protein (2g per tablespoon) so is a great way for vegetarians and vegans to add high-quality protein to their diet.
It’s also is high in B vitamins, specifically vitamin B-12! Vitamin B-12 is needed for a variety of body functions, including red blood cell creation, DNA production, energy metabolism and healthy nervous system functionality. It’s naturally found in animal products, so vegans can become deficient if they aren’t supplementing (or eating nutritional yeast).
How to Make Nutritional Yeast Dressing
Making a homemade dressing with nutritional yeast is super easy! For this dressing, we’re simply adding the nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic and ground pepper to a blender and blending until smooth. Slowly add in the olive oil with the blender on low. If you don’t have a blender, you can mince your garlic really well and whisk all of the ingredients together in a bowl!
More Homemade Dressings You’ll Enjoy
- Oil-Free Zesty Tahini Dressing
- Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
- Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
- Tomatillo Avocado Dressing
- Avocado Caesar Dressing
- Chili Almond Dressing
- Healthy Caesar Dressing
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
Be sure to check out my healthy salad dressings as well as my favorite healthy store-bought salad dressings.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Creamy Nutritional Yeast Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- ⅓ cup + 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup coconut aminos, or low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 pinch sea salt
- ground pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil*
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients except olive oil into a blender. Blend until smooth and slowly add in the olive oil, with the blender on a low setting.
- I prefer making this dressing in a blender because it gets extra smooth and creamy, but if don’t have a blender you can easily make it by whisking all the ingredients together as well. Just make sure you mince your garlic really well.
Notes
- For an oil-free dressing you can use water in place of the oil. The dressing won’t be as creamy, but still delicious.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I discovered this recipe 5 years ago and have been making it ever since! It’s literally my favourite thing and I put it on EVERYTHING. Thanks so much xx
WOO! This is great to hear, Nicole. I am so glad you are loving this dressing and it has been a staple for you. Thanks for sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
excellent recipe. I made mixed greens, red cabbage, sweet peppers, pineapple, cucumber, chopped dates and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a dinner party. There were no leftovers. Also great as a sandwich spread in lieu of mayo.
Amazing! I am SO glad you are loving this dressing and it turned out amazing for you, Suzi. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
can you make this without the olive oil or by getting rid of some of the yeast so it’s liquidy? I want to incorporate nooch into my salads but lower calorie.
I haven’t tested this, but I have read that you can replace oil in dressing recipes with a flax or chia egg instead of oil. I am not sure how thin it’ll make the dressing as I haven’t given it a try. Let me know if you try this out and how it turns out for you!
Hi! Looks delicious, Can’t wait to try it! How long would the dressing last? Should it be kept in fridge?
Hi Sofia – Yes, keep any leftovers in the fridge. The dressing should last about 1 week.
Hi! Can’t wait to try this recipe! How long would it last in the fridge?
hmm turned out thin but probably just me!!!! did water and oil together
Hmm, I have not tried this recipe with water, the oil is really what makes it nice and thick. That is most likely the cause of it being too thin. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it.