This vegan nutritional yeast salad dressing is irresistibly delicious! The nutritional yeast (also know as nooch) makes the dressing creamy, while the miso adds umami and helps thicken it up a bit. You will find yourself adding it to to salads, pasta salads roasted veggies and more!
This dairy-free, creamy dressing was inspired by Baked by Melissa's miso vinaigrette dressing. My version uses a base of apple cider vinegar and seasoned rice vinegar in place of lemon juice. This helps layer the acids which create more depth of flavor!
Homemade nooch dressing can be added to just about anything! Obviously it is perfect for salads (like this delicious fall kale salad). It also is delicious drizzled on steamed or roasted veggies, lentil pasta salad or roasted veggie grain bowls! Choose your own adventure and add it to whatever you want!
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Why You Should Make This:
- Nutritional yeast dressing is like liquid gold - it is truly the best in flavor. If you're looking to eat more salads this dressing will certainly inspire you.
- Nooch is known for having numerous health benefits. It a great source of protein and vitamins such as B12!
- This delicious salad dressing is super quick and easy! It can thrown together in just 5 minutes and uses simple ingredients.
Equipment Notes:
You will need a jar with a lid such as a mason jar. This is how I recommend storing the dressing; it makes it easy to pull it out of the fridge and shake it in the jar before serving.
You can use a grate plate or a microplane grate for the garlic. Alternatively, simply mince the garlic for this dressing.
A whisk or fork is also necessary in order to help break up the miso paste to avoid clumps.
Ingredient Notes
- Nutritional yeast - the more common brands found in grocery stores are Bob's Red Mill or Braggs. Look for the nutritional yeast flakes (pictured above). You can find nutritional yeast at Trader Joes as well, or in most health food stores in the bulk foods section. You can also purchase yeast online in bulk!
- Apple cider vinegar - I like to use Braggs ACV. Apple cider vinegar has been linked to several health benefits as well.
- Seasoned rice vinegar - make sure to use seasoned instead of regular. Seasoned rice vinegar is sweeter. Kikoman is my favorite brand to use.
- Spices - dried oregano and parsley. They add so much flavor to the dressing.
- White miso paste - this adds salty, umami flavor to the rice vinegar dressing. It also helps thicken up the dressing a bit.
- Extra virgin olive oil - I recommend EVOO because it is considered "heart healthy" and adds nice flavor to the dressing.
See recipe card for quantities and instructions.
Substitutions and Variations
- Apple Cider Vinegar - swap in red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or fresh squeezed lemon juice!
- Season rice vinegar - while I recommend using seasoned rice vinegar due to its sweetness you can use regular rice vinegar instead. If you use regular rice vinegar I recommend adding about a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey to the dressing so it is sweeter.
- Sweeter - Add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, agave or honey to the dressing. Do not use honey if you want to keep the recipe vegan.
- Smokey - add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika to the dressing.
- Spicy - add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Dill - add ½ teaspoon of dill to the dressing in place of oregano.
- Smoother - use an immersion blender to blend the dressing. Add the dressing in slowly so it emulsifies.
How to Make Nutritional Yeast Salad Dressing
Add the nutritional yeast to a jar or bowl along with the apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, spices, miso paste, garlic, maple syrup and olive oil.
Whisk the dressing together using a whisk or fork until the miso paste has broken down and the dressing is combined. Drizzle on salads, grain bowls or roasted veggies to enjoy!
Hint: whisk the dressing together with a fork or whisk in order to break apart the miso paste. Once the miso paste has broken up you can switch to shaking the dressing in the jar if desired. I usually just stick to whisking it!
Is Nutritional Yeast Healthy?
Nutritional yeast is commonly used in vegan dishes such as macaroni and cheese to create a plant-based "cheesy" flavor. It is also an amazing condiment to sprinkle on top of popcorn!
Nooch contains essential vitamins that are often harder to obtain while eating a vegan/vegetarian diet. It is a complete protein, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids, which are typically found in animal protein. Adding nutritional yeast to dishes is an easy to to make sure you are getting those essential vitamin.
How to Store
Store the nutritional yeast miso dressing in an air tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Natural separation will occur (due to the oil). Take the dressing out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature. Shake it well to re-combine the ingredients.
If you're in a rush to serve the dressing and it has separated or thickened you can simply microwave it for 10 seconds. The oil will warm up and liquify. Shake well before serving.
Top tip
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I like to make slight changes to the dressing week to week. Sometimes I add more nutritional yeast, or use different spices. It is so easy to create delicious flavor variations!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, nooch does not need to be refrigerated. It is a shelf-stable yeast.
No it is not the same. Nutritional yeast is deactivated, while active dry yeast is active! Nutritional yeast is often used in vegan recipes to add cheesy or nutty flavors while active dry yeast is used to help make dough rise for baked goods or breads.
Hollyhock dressing is a nutritional yeast based dressing from the Hollyhock Cooks cookbook! Hollyhock is a non-profit retreat center in British Columbia known for their delicious gourmet meals, including their famous dressing!
Nutritional Yeast Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 clove garlic grated or minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Add the nutritional yeast, garlic, oregano, parsley, miso paste, vinegars, maple syrup and olive oil to a bowl or jar.
- Whisk the ingredients together until the miso paste has broken down and dissolved.
- Drizzle nutritional yeast dressing on salads, grain bowls, roasted veggies and more!
Notes
- To get a more cohesive dressing, blend the dressing together or use an immersion blender.
- Try using different spices or acids for flavor variations such as smoked paprika!
- Store the nutritional yeast dressing in an air tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Natural separation will occur (due to the oil). Take the dressing out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature. Shake it well to re-combine the ingredients.
cathy says
Vicky says
This dressing is so delicious and I love that there’s more acid than oil. That’s how I make my dressings too!
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much! Yes I totally agree! I love the acidity in dressings and sauces.
Mary Grady says
This dressing is so good and I feel so healthy eating it. It will be my new go-to salad dressing.
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much for leaving a review. I love to hear that!
Terry says
This salad dressing is my new go to!!! Absolutely delicious. Love all your posts and I appreciate the vegan options!!
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much! I'm happy to hear that! 🙂
Cathy says
The best salad dressing ever😊! Ten stars!
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you! So glad you are enjoying it!
Em says
I make this multiple times a week. It is SO good!
Ashley Busby says
Def will try this!!! Can't wait. The step by step is so helpful.
Emily Toshiko says
Yay! So happy you find it helpful. 🙂