A deliciously addictive dressing for salads, grilled vegetables or cooked grains, this Hollyhock Nutritional Yeast Dressing (known fondly as Nooch dressing) is high in protein, minerals and B vitamins.
This Hollyhock Nutritional Yeast Dressing is a favorite in our home. I've made it for years and I've decided I need to share it with you.
Jump to:
❤️ Why this recipe works
"Nooch" dressing, as it is affectionately called, is an intensely flavored salad dressing that reminds me a little of Caesar dressing, without the eggs, cheese, or anchovies!
Not only is it delightfully addictive, it's highly nutritious, too. Adding nutritional yeast not only adds flavor, it adds protein, vitamins (especially B Vitamins), minerals and antioxidants.
If you need more convincing to add this to your diet, check this article Why is Nutritional Yeast Good for You?
🛒 Ingredients for nooch dressing
Ready to mix up some tasty homemade salad dressing? Here's what you'll need.
- nutritional flaky yeast (not brewer's yeast or baking yeast)
- water
- tamari: choose gluten-free soy sauce
- apple cider vinegar
- garlic: fresh cloves
- light vegetable oil: I use avocado oil, but you could use another light, neutral-tasting oil like sunflower oil. Olive oil may be too strongly flavored for this dressing.
🥄 How to make nutritional yeast salad dressing
You'll need a blender to mix these salad dressing ingredients. Put the nutritional yeast, water, tamari, vinegar, and garlic cloves in a blender and process until completely smooth.
Then with the machine running, pour the oil very slowly through the hole in the cap of the blender. The dressing will thicken and emulsify as you gradually add the oil, little by little.
👍🏼 Helpful Tips
Nutritional yeast is sold in health food stores and grocery stores in the baking section. Don't confuse it with brewer's yeast, which can taste bitter, or baker's yeast which is used to make bread. It tastes a little cheesy and a little nutty! When my kids were young, we always sprinkled it on popcorn, as it tastes a little like parmesan cheese.
Also known as "nooch", nutritional yeast has an umami flavor. If you normally like roasted cauliflower or broccoli with a little cheese on top, try sprinkling a little nooch instead.
🔁 Variations
If you love citrus, add a tablespoon of orange juice to this dressing for a bright touch.
For a thicker dressing, add a little less oil.
How to store
This nooch dressing will last two weeks in your fridge. Give it a shake each time before you use it.
This popular salad dressing was originally published by the Hollyhock Lifelong Learning Centre on Cortes Island in British Columbia in their first cookbook, Hollyhock Cooks. It also tastes very similar to Little Creek's Original dressing.
Suggestions for salads with nutritional yeast dressing
This dressing is delicious on your favorite green salad, or try it with any of the following:
- Apple Cheddar Smoked Salmon Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Crispy Fennel Apple Chopped Salad with Walnuts
- Broccoli Quinoa Salad
👍🏼 Homemade salad dressings are easy to make
Learning How to Make Homemade Salad Dressing will save you time and money. Making your own dressings and vinaigrettes is quick and easy. Not only that, it's a good way to avoid additives and it allows you to control the type of oil used.
🗒 More healthy salad dressing recipes
- How to Make Homemade Salad Dressing
- Simple Lemon Tahini Dressing Recipe
- Is Dijon Mustard Gluten-Free?
- Greek Yogurt Gorgonzola Dressing and Dip
When you make this nutritional yeast dressing, please leave a comment and a star rating below. I love hearing when you've made one of my recipes. Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox once a week.
📖 Recipe
Hollyhock Nutritional Yeast Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup nutritional yeast, not brewer's yeast or baker's yeast
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅓ cup tamari, gluten-free soy sauce
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 large cloves garlic
- 1.5 cups neutral vegetable oil, like avocado, sunflower or grape seed oil
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except oil in a blender. Process until completely smooth.
- With the machine running, pour the oil very slowly through the hole in the cap of the blender. The dressing will thicken and emulsify as you gradually add the oil, little by little.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Cindy
So good and good on anything! Salads, rice bowls, cooked veggies… could just drink it!
Elaine
Agreed Cindy! This is a favourite of mine!
Ricky
Is anyone familiar with the GYPSY CAB COMPANY Restaurant in Saint Augustine Florida ?
Since they opened in the 80’s they have served a “ SECRET “ Salad Dressing I think maybe similar to this ( not sure it’s a secret … )
They sell it by the bottle $8-10
Is YESHI the same ?
Thanks !
Wayne Martin
That dressing at Gypsy Cab Company is indeed a nutritional yeast dressing. Back in the mid 90's they used to serve it complimentary with brown bread as a starter. These days they charge extra to have it with your meal and even offer it bottled to go. Super yummy stuff!!!
Elaine
And now you can make it at home!
Marion Hill
I have been blessed to have attended many workshops at Hollyhock. After the first meal where this was served I was hooked. So finding your recipe has been life altering. They say tastes can transport you… I’m sitting in a dream hearing the gentle waves crash on the beach and bald eagles soaring with my eyes closed, munching my salad. Thank you. Namaste.
Barbara Weaner
It would be helpful to know serving size for calorie counting
Elaine
Thanks! A serving size is 2 tablespoons.
Jenny
This is glory bowl dressing.
Ava
So glad I found this dressing! It's amazing--the hubs loves it too!
Elaine
Hi Ava,
That's great to hear! Thanks for the 5 star rating!
Marg
Simple the BEST dressing ever!
Bre
Delicious! I added about 2 tablespoons of dijon to it and it really brought all the flavors together. I am going to try it with tahini next time. Thank you!
Flavour & Savour
These are both great ideas Bre! Thanks so much for sharing!
B. Kate Reston
I have added dijon as well. I found your blog after returning from four days at the quintessential Hollyhock; making the dressing and adorning my just-harvested greens and veg made me feel as though I had returned to the autumnal bliss of Hollyhock's dining room! So glad I found you, Elaine! ~Kate-Saanich <3
Elaine
Oh lucky you, getting to eat at Hollyhock! I'll bet that was a wonderful experience for you. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Elaine
I too discovered this dressing at the Hollyhock Learning Centre. The place and the meal, their garden, the salad bar with this dressing, was one of our highlights to Cortes Island, BC.
Elaine
Thanks for commenting, Elaine! Another Elaine!!
Tanya Rust
I got this recipe from my mom and love it so much but find it so watery so I usually leave it out. I use a Ninja blender and my mom (of course) has a vitamix, so maybe that’s the reason? She also adds a date or 2 for sweetness.
Flavour & Savour
Hi Tanya, If leaving out the water works for you, that's great! I like your idea of adding dates, especially for a salad with fruit in it! Thanks for sharing!
Christine
This is my all time favorite dressing!!! Sometimes I replace the oil with tahini (using half the amount called for ) and it is delicious as well. So good to dip roasted sweet potatoes in!
Flavour & Savour
That's a great idea, Christine! Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!
Jackie
Elaine, this is fabulous!!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Jackie! I know--so good, and good for us, too!
Stephanie
Hi! I LOVE your recipe, it's so delicious. I've made it about 5 times now, each time it worked our perfect, and then today something happened. It's very very hot after mixing it, very very runny and clearly separated immediately in the container. Is there a way to fix this?
Elaine
Hi Stephanie, Thanks so much. Happy to hear you love this dressing too. How disappointing something went wrong this time. Without looking at it, I'm not sure how to advise you. It sounds like it needs an emulsifier, something to bind it back together. If blending it again doesn't work, you might want to try adding a small amount of Dijon mustard and/or ground flaxseed to help thicken it a little. Hope this helps you rescue your dressing! Let me know if you figure out what went wrong!
Laura
The best!
Flavour & Savour
We love this dressing! I used it on coleslaw last night and it was delicious. Thanks for commenting!