I was first introduced to Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast when parmesan cheese was difficult to find. Vegans have been using it as a cheese alternative for some time. After trying it, I wondered if they were keeping it all to themselves on purpose?
It was so great! The savory flavor was pleasant, and it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Just a few tablespoons provide more than your daily requirement of several vitamins and minerals. It truly deserves a space in your pantry.
Want to learn all about Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast?
Let’s go to The Chalkboard.
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What is Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is derived from the single-celled organism Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, which grows on molasses. Unlike the yeast for baking, this variety is inactive and doesn’t have leavening properties. It has a savory taste and is a vegan alternative to parmesan cheese. It’s also gluten-free.
Brewers Yeast VS Trader Joe’s Nutritional Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is NOT the same as nutritional yeast.
Brewers yeast is a byproduct of beer making, while the nutritional variety is made to be a supplement.
They are both made from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, yet their flavors and nutritional values are very different. Brewer’s yeast is very bitter, while nutritional yeast is savory and slightly nutty.
Is Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast Discontinued?
The company admits that products are often taken off the shelves if they aren’t performing well.
However, as of April 2022, Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast is NOT discontinued.
To stay up to date on what the retailer is no longer selling, check out the Instagram account @TraderJoesToBeDiscontinued.
Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast Price
A four-ounce bag of Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast costs $3. Competing products range in price from $2.15 to $5 at Whole Foods.
Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast Vs. Braggs
Braggs is one of the most popular brands of nutritional yeast. How does it compare to the Trader Joes variety?
Braggs Nutritional Yeast Ingredients:
Dried Yeast, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Trader Joe’s Nutritional Yeast Ingredients:
Inactive nutritional yeast (dried yeast, niacin, (vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12).
The ingredients are the same for Bragg’s and Trader Joes Nutritional Yeasts, but the amounts of vitamins and minerals differ.
Nutritional Facts of Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast And Bragg’s Nutritional Yeast
| Bragg’s | Trader Joes | |
| Calories | 40 | 40 |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 4g |
| Fiber | 2g | 2g |
| Potassium | 214mg | 220mg |
| Thiamin | 6.2mg | 7.4mg |
| Riboflavin | 6.3mg | 6.2mg |
| Niacin | 35mg | 35.6mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 7.2mg | 5mg |
| Folate | 353mcg DFE | 750mcg DFE |
| Vitamin B12 | 15mcg | 6.2mcg |
The numbers aren’t too different. Still, Trader Joe’s has more carbs, potassium, niacin, and folate. Bragg’s has more VItamin B12, Vitamin B6, and slightly more riboflavin.
Is Trader Joe’s Nutritional Yeast Fortified?
Yes! Trader Joe’s Nutritional Yeast contains added niacin, B6, and B12.
Trader Joe’s Nutritional Yeast Recipes
- Smoothies — Add a few tablespoons to your morning drink to increase the nutritional value. It will add a savory component, so it’s best in green drinks.
- On Pasta — Vegans use nutritional yeast as a parmesan cheese alternative. For a good reason. It’s great sprinkled on pasta.
- Over Popcorn — Add some oomph to simple popcorn by adding a few tablespoons of olive oil and nutritional yeast. Savory popcorn is a surprising treat.
- On Rice — Sprinkle on top of rice or any grain to add some flavor.
- Roasted Vegetables — Add a tablespoon or two to roasted vegetables to kick up their flavor.
What Do You Think?
Have you tried Trader Joes Nutritional Yeast? What do you think of it? Let me know in the comments below; I’d love to hear!
Are you interested in other Trader Joe’s powerhouse products? Check out our review of their Hashbrowns, a versatile ingredient that shaves tons of time off of dinner prep.
Happy Cooking!
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E says
Fortified nutritional yeast is not good. They use cheaper, less effective, man made synthetics opposed to naturally occurring vitamins. Leave the TJ yeast alone and go for the non-fortified organic brands.
Kristen says
Thanks for the info! I will look into this further.