There is no salad dressing on earth that makes me want to eat salad more than this one. This creamy nutritional yeast dressing makes anything you put it on taste insanely delicious. Salad is an obvious place to start, but I love this dressing on steamed rice, potatoes, chicken, fish, and just about any ‘bowl’ you can think of. (OK maybe not a bowl of cereal, but you know what I mean.)
I love a good salad. In fact, I often keep an entire salad bar in my fridge so I can whip up salads at a moment’s notice. But let's be honest, sometimes salad can leave us feeling unsatisfied. Using a variety of ingredients with different textures and flavors is fundamental for making more interesting salads, but when you have a dressing as good as this one, even a bowl of plain ol’ leafy greens tastes good.
Bonus: This highly addictive dressing is (almost) as simple to make as a basic oil and vinegar dressing. I highly recommend you give it a go!
What’s the deal with nutritional yeast?
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that's commonly used as a cheese substitute in vegan recipes. Not only does it add a cheesy flavor to anything you put it on, but it's also a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Vegans love it because it’s particularly high in B vitamins, including vitamin B12 (especially the fortified versions), which is tricky to find in plant-based foods. I’ve been singing the praises of nutritional yeast for awhile now. Check out this blog post and corresponding video to see more nutritional yeast recipes!
How to make nutritional yeast dressing
Making your own nutritional yeast dressing is super easy and you can customize it in a number of ways. Here's my go-to recipe to get you started:
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- ⅓ cup neutral oil (I use sunflower, avocado, or grapeseed)
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (I use Kikkoman regular, but opt for low-sodium if you are not a salt tooth like me!)
- 1 clove garlic (or a pinch of garlic powder)
Add all the ingredients to a wide-mouth jar and blend with an immersion (stick) blender (no need to make excess dirty dishes). Proceed to drizzle dump it on everything. 😂
How to customize nutritional yeast dressing
The recipe above is definitely the one I make the most often, but in the spirit of mixing things up, here are some ideas on extra ingredients to add to your dressing.
- Ginger
- Cilantro
- Green onion
- Fresh chilies, or chili sauce like Sambal Oeleck
- Toasted sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Honey or maple syrup
What goes well with nutritional yeast dressing?
Honestly, it'd be easier to list out the few things foods that wouldn't go well with this dressing. It's delicious on all types of salads, grain bowls, potatoes, steamed rice, fried tofu, chicken, fish, raw veggie sticks... you name it. One of my favorite ways to use it is to just pour it over simply steamed rice with a few toasted sesame seeds on top. It's comfort in a bowl.
Of course, it's a great option to go with any number of salads, but if all you have is a bag of baby spinach on hand, nutritional yeast dressing can transform that spinach into an irresistible snack.
Storage tips
This nutritional yeast dressing lasts in the fridge for at least a week, probably longer. I like to make it and store it in a glass jar, so it's easy to slap a lid on and keep it in my fridge door. Depending on how well you’ve blended it, it will most likely not separate in the fridge, however, it doesn’t hurt to give it a little shake before using it, especially if it’s been a few days since you’ve used it.
Frequently asked questions
Can this dressing be made in a regular blender?
Yes. This dressing can be mixed with a stick (immersion) blender, a regular blender, or a food processor. I don't recommend mixing this dressing by hand, because it won't become as creamy.
Can this dressing be made oil-free?
To convert this recipe to an oil-free nutritional yeast salad dressing, simply replace the ⅓ cup of oil with ⅓ cup of cold water, and blend in 2 Tablespoons of chia seeds. Allow the dressing to thicken for at least 30 minutes. You could also replace the oil with plain yogurt if you want an extra creamy version!
Can this dressing be made with brewers yeast or engevita yeast?
There are many types of deactivated yeast out there, but for this salad dressing, you need the one that is labeled "nutritional yeast flakes."
Nutritional yeast dressing is a crazy delicious and fairly healthy condiment to keep on hand. Its creamy, cheesy flavor can turn a boring salad into something you can’t get enough of. Give this recipe a try and let me know if you love it as much as I do!
Check these out next:
- Creamy 3-Ingredient Nutritional Yeast Pasta
- 3 Ways to Use Nutritional Yeast
- How to Build a Homemade Salad Bar
- Zucchini Miso Butter
Highly Addictive Nutritional Yeast Dressing
Equipment
- 1 immersion blender, blender, or food processor
- 1 wide-mouth jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup neutral-flavoured oil like sunflower, avocado, or grapeseed
- 1 clove garlic roughly chopped (to help the blending)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar
- Blend until creamy
Kim says
This dressing is really good!
Paula says
I know eh? It has a permanent spot in my fridge!
Karen says
Mine is very thick. It has a great taste just unable to drizzle. Can I add more liquid?
Paula says
You can definitely thin it out with water if needed. My best guess is that your blender must be very high-powered. Sounds like you have a good emulsion!
HS says
Haven't tried yet... what happens to overall flavor if I use EVOO?
Paula says
I think the flavor of the olive oil would be too strong for this! I'd use a neutral oil like avocado, sunflower, grapeseed, etc.
Mel says
I just made this using EVOO and it’s AMAZING!
Think I just found my new addiction!
Larry Gonzalez says
A bit salty. I think I will try no to low sodium soy sauce next time. I expected a cheesier taste to it. But all in all, I enjoyed the first batch. Thanks for the tip. Nutritional Yeast will be an added ingredient to our pantry.
Paula says
I find that some brands of soya sauce are saltier than others!
Melissa says
Delicious! It is a bit salty. I used a regular soy sauce, next time, I'll try mixing half low sodium soy. Also, I used two tablespoons ground flax instead of oil so fewer calories. Thanks for the suggestion and recipe. I think I'll be eating this or a version of it for the rest of my life 🙂
Debby says
2Tbsp flax and any water? You did not use any oil at all?
Judy says
Possibly flax seed oil in lieu of a neutral oil.
Sonya says
Delicious
Toni says
Soy sauce tends to have a strong, salt-forward taste, while liquid aminos offer a milder, more subtle flavor with added sweetness and umami
J Richards says
Really yummy!!! I used extra virgin olive oil as well and added maple syrup fir a sweeter sauce.
Don says
I would really recommend a low sodium soy sauce, this is way too salty
Paula says
Certainly every soy sauce is different! I use Kikkoman and it tends to be just right (for me).
Toni says
Soy sauce tends to have a strong, salt-forward taste, while liquid aminos offer a milder, more subtle flavor with added sweetness and umami
Carla says
You could also try coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. It’s generally lower sodium with other good nutrients!
Paula says
That's a great suggestion for non soy folks! I haven't tried it but I will. Thanks!
Liz says
Thank you for the suggestion!!! I made it and did not care for the strong soy sauce taste (nor did my kids)… I really like your idea and will give it a try!
Sonya says
Tried it because all of the hype over it. The taste of the nutritional yeast is overwhelming. Tried to save it with some added ginger and sesame oil, will let it sit and see if it taste better tomorrow.
Sheren says
A really quick and easy dressing that can go with lots of foods, can be added to, and is straight up delicious!
cdorinson says
I first had this dressing years ago at a retreat center up in British Columbia. Sooo addictive that several of us would keep refilling our plates with salad as long as the staff kept refilling the bowls on the salad bar at meal time. We were often late to afternoon session because it was so yummy. Also, their dressing had more garlic in it, like several cloves worth, finely chopped and added after the other ingredients were blended, so you had little bits of garlic in every bite. I'd forgotten about it until I read your recipe. Thanks so much for it!!
Paula says
Was it Hollyhock!? That's where I first learned about it too. My mom went for a yoga retreat there and came back with their cookbook for me. This is a slightly altered version of that (a bit thicker). They also do a version of it at Whitewater Ski Resort in the Kootenays. (Can you tell I'm a B.C. gal?:))
Matt says
This or a version of it has become a staple. Yummy.
Paula says
Lovely! It is definitely a staple in my house too. I almost always add a garlic clove, and sometimes I use a bit more vinegar than soy sauce (depends on how salty I'm feeling!)
Anne says
Sorry, I don’t understand how so many people rate this recipe so high. It tastes terrible to me.
Paula says
Sorry to hear that it's not for you!
Tree says
Has anyone tried it with peanut butter added to it? I love nutritional yeast, but haven’t tried this dressing…just wondering if adding peanut butter will taste well before I venture that way.
Paula says
Good thinking! I haven't tried it but I think it'd be good! Might need a bit of water to thin it out.
Anne says
Absolutely divine and highly addictive! Thank you for this recipe 😀 I added some ginger and cayenne pepper and will certainly try other variations also.
Paula says
Yesss I love to hear it!! Thanks for commenting 🙂
jaime says
Made this with coconut aminos. At first I was a little overwhelmed with the nutritional yeast but after a day or two the flavors settled in and now I'm obsessed. I did add water to thin it out.
Paula says
Yes! So glad to hear it worked out.
Phyllis says
I don't use any oil and was wondering if I could substitute another liquid. Maybe aquafaba?
Paula says
Hi! To convert this recipe to an oil-free nutritional yeast salad dressing, simply replace the 1/3 cup of oil with 1/3 cup of cold water, and blend in 2 Tablespoons of chia seeds. Allow the dressing to thicken for at least 30 minutes. You could also replace the oil with plain yogurt if you want an extra creamy version!
Jeanne Wong says
Really want to try yogurt in place of oil but concerned vinegar & tamari (which I want to use 8n place of soy) will not go well with it. Looked up calories in oil & shocked over 600, so really do not want to use it.
Rani Merryman says
Less is more. Instead of oil I used non dairy unsweetened coconut yogurt. I also added av dash of Worcestershire sauce. I think I prefer my yeast as a thing, but a light drizzle on my salad was delightful. I can see how too much dressing would have the opposite effect! Thanks for the recipe!
Lisa Jennings says
I am new to nutrional yeast but have been wanting to work it into my diet. I made this dressing and it is DELICIOUS!! You have to try it!
Paula says
Yes!! So glad you liked it Lisa!
Jay says
Fantastic dressing! I added a piece of fresh ginger before blending. It made a great tuna salad.
Maria says
This dressing is insanely good and incredibly addictive. I love it!