Yeast is one of the most commonly found ingredients in kitchen pantries around the world. Here’s everything you need to know about this affordable ingredient, which is essential in baking. Including the answer to the question: is yeast vegan?
Yeast is commonly used in nearly every cuisine. You can find it in most people’s pantries, and on the shelves of nearly every restaurant. Yet despite being integral in so many things that we eat, a lot of people don’t know what yeast is, what it does, or if it’s vegan.
Here’s everything you need to know about yeast.
What Is Yeast?
Yeast is a single-celled organism that is technically a fungus. That’s right, a fungus! While many people think of the grains in yeast packet as being one yeast each, it actually takes tens of billions of yeast cells just to weigh a single gram.
In other words, yeast is really small … but it’s also really important.
What Does Yeast Do?
Yeast is responsible for fermenting sugar, which releases carbon dioxide. Yeast is very common in baking, because dough traps in carbon dioxide, and doesn’t allow it to escape. As the gas expands but doesn’t escape, it forces the dough to also expand, which is how dough rises.
While yeast is most famously used for helping breads and other doughs rise, it has other purposes, too. Yeast is used to ferment sugar into alcohol in the production of alcoholic beverages.
What Are the Different Types of Yeast?
When people talk about yeast, they’re usually referring to baker’s yeast. That’s the type of yeast you use in bread and other baked goods. Baker’s yeast comes in three forms: fresh, dry active, and instant. Instant yeast and dry active yeast are both dry forms of yeast, while fresh yeast is a wet cake.
There’s also brewer’s yeast, which is used for making beer and other alcoholic beverages. It is sometimes dry, but usually comes in liquid form.
Finally, nutritional yeast is a common ingredient in kitchens. Nutritional yeast is deactivated, so it won’t cause any fermentation. Instead, it only provides taste and nutritional value. Nutritional yeast is common in vegan cooking because of its cheesy flavor.
Is Yeast Vegan?
Yes! Yeast is simply a type of fungus, so it’s as vegan as any plant or mushroom is. Which is to say, it’s entirely vegan!
How to Tell if Yeast Is Still Good
Yeast has a decent shelf life, but like so many foods, it can eventually start to die. Thankfully it’s very easy to test to see if your yeast is still alive. All you have to do is mix yeast with some warm water and sugar, and wait a few minutes. If the yeast bubbles, expands, and gives off an aroma, then it’s still good to use.
For more detailed instructions on testing to see if yeast is still good, check out my guide .
How to Store Yeast
Now that you know yeast is vegan you’ll want to keep some in your kitchen for spur-of-the-moment baking. If your packet of yeast has not been opened, then you can store it inside a cabinet until it reaches its expiration date. Once the yeast has been opened, you’ll want to store it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Yeast should last at least 4 months in the fridge and at least 6 months in the freezer, but it’s always wise to test if the yeast is still good.
Some Delicious Yeast Recipes
Yeast is a featured ingredient in almost every bread recipe. It’s also a prominent ingredient in many other forms of baked goods. Here are 3 of my favorite recipes that utilize the magical rising powers of yeast.
Vegan Donuts
The yeast in these donuts gives the treats an airy, pillowy texture. This recipe is luxurious, and the donuts will absolutely melt in your mouth.
Vegan Japanese Milk Bread
The only way to describe this bread is that it’s like eating a cloud. A delicious, slightly-sweet cloud. The yeast gives this recipe amazing lightness and fluffiness.
No-Knead Bread
Making bread doesn’t get any easier than this recipe! Just mix together a few simple ingredients, let the yeast do its thing, and you’re ready to bake some delicious bread.
This recipe for mashed sweet potatoes is a whole holiday celebration in a bowl! Whether you’re craving a quiet, cozy meal on a rainy day or a big celebratory feast, this side dish will never let you down.
Creamy, without any added cream, and sweet, without any added sugar; mashed sweet potatoes taste like a little bit of culinary magic. If you’re not sure how to begin, start a pot of water boiling and start peeling your potatoes. The rest will come together in no time with the help of this step-by-step guide.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Sweet Potato Mash
You’ll be won over at first bite, but here are a few more compelling reasons why you’ll fall in love with this effortless recipe:
- Allergen- and alternative diet-friendly. Whether you’re dealing with picky eaters, food intolerances, or dietary preferences, this is the dish that can unite them all. It’s vegan and vegetarian of course, but also wheat-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, nut-free, and soy-free (depending on your vegan butter). Now that’s a mouthful!
- Great for meal planning and make-ahead meals. Mashed sweet potatoes keep beautifully in the fridge, so you can make them roughly 5 to 7 days in advance if needed.
- Just 6 ingredients. If you don’t count salt or pepper, it’s only 4!
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
- Sweet potatoes – There are over 6,000 different types of sweet potatoes grown worldwide, and they’re all delicious! Whether you chose white to yellow, red, purple, or brown, you can’t go wrong.
- Vegan butter – Choose unsalted if you’re watching your sodium; you can always add more salt to taste.
- Oat milk or coconut milk – Chose the richest non-dairy milk for the most decadent results. Coconut milk will have a subtle but distinctive tropical taste, so keep that in mind if you’re not a fan.
- Garlic
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Parsley (optional)
How to Make Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Bring water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, until fork tender.
- Drain thoroughly. Make sure all the excess liquid is removed.
- Mash the potatoes briefly to begin breaking them into small pieces. Just a few seconds of mashing is fine.
- Combine the vegan milk and butter in a small dish. Microwave until hot and melted together.
- Add the vegan milk vegan butter mix to the potatoes. Follow with the garlic and salt and mash everything together with the potato masher until smooth and creamy. Incorporate more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Top with black pepper, chopped parsley, and an extra pat of butter, to taste. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
Mashed potato mastery is within reach when you follow these easy instructions. Here’s how you can modify the dish and make it your own:
- Peeling the potatoes guarantees a lusciously smooth mash . If you’d prefer more texture, go ahead and leave the peels on! Just make sure they’re thoroughly scrubbed before cooking to remove any residual dirt.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes that are the same size . This way, they’ll cook at the same rate and have a more consistent texture.
- Enhance the sweetness by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar or maple syrup . Everyone loves the classic sweet potato casserole, and you can emulate that by adding vegan marshmallows on top, too. Spread the mashed potatoes into a casserole dish, top with marshmallows, and run it under the broiler for a few minutes, until browned and gooey.
- Make it savory with herbs and spices . Mix in cumin, chili powder, or hot sauce to spice things up. Consider rosemary, thyme, or sage for an earthy, autumnal blend.
How Long Do You Need To Boil Sweet Potatoes for Mashing?
Cut into 1-inch cubes, it takes about 15 to 18 minutes for the sweet potatoes to cook all the way through. Keep the pot uncovered with the water at a steady simmer. To test for doneness, try poking them with a fork. If the fork sticks in the cubes easily, without too much resistance, they’re ready to be drained. Drain thoroughly to prevent the mash from getting watered down.
What Goes Well With Sweet Potatoes?
Deftly walking the line between sweet and savory, this versatile side is the ultimate unifier between all entrees. Traditionally, they’re often accompanied by a grand roast for the holidays, but they’re great for simple weeknight suppers as well, served alongside:
- Vegan Swedish meatballs
- Vegan meatloaf
- Vegan chicken nuggets
- Vegan fish sticks
How to Store Leftovers
Once cooked, store leftover mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. To reheat, gently cook over medium-low heat when ready to serve. Add an extra splash of non-dairy milk or water as needed to loosen it up and make it creamy again. If using a microwave, heat for 1 to 2 minutes on full power, stirring well, until hot all the way through.
Can I Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, mashed sweet potatoes can be frozen for safe keeping! Store them in an airtight container and keep frozen for up to 3 months. See reheating instructions above but anticipate an extra 5 to 10 minutes on the stove, or 2 to 4 minutes in the microwave.
More Holiday Side Dishes
- Vegan Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch)
- Vegan Mashed Cauliflower
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Pecans
- Vegan Biscuits
- Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans
Enjoy friends! If you make this (insert recipe name here), please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup oat milk , or coconut milk (or other thick vegan milk)
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- pinch black pepper
- Extra pat vegan butter
- Chopped parsley , for garnish
Instructions
- In a 4 QT pot of boiling water, boil the sweet potatoes for 15-18 minutes, until fork tender.
- When the sweet potato is finished boiling, drain completely for a few minutes to ensure all excess liquid is removed.
- Using your potato masher, mash the potatoes for a few seconds until broken up.
- In a small separate bowl, place the vegan milk and the vegan butter and microwave for 45 seconds or until hot and melted together.
- Add the vegan milk vegan butter mix hot to the mashed potatoes along with the minced garlic and sea salt and mash all the ingredients together with the potato masher until incorporated and the mashed potatoes are smooth and creamy. Add more milk if necessary.
- Serve with black pepper (optional), chopped parsley and an extra pat of butter. Enjoy!
Notes
- Peeling the potatoes guarantees a lusciously smooth mash . If you’d prefer more texture, go ahead and leave the peels on! Just make sure they’re thoroughly scrubbed before cooking to remove any residual dirt.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes that are the same size . This way, they’ll cook at the same rate and have a more consistent texture.
- Enhance the sweetness by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar or maple syrup . Everyone loves the classic sweet potato casserole, and you can emulate that by adding vegan marshmallows on top, too. Spread the mashed potatoes into a casserole dish, top with marshmallows, and run it under the broiler for a few minutes, until browned and gooey.
- Make it savory with herbs and spices . Mix in cumin, chili powder, or hot sauce to spice things up. Consider rosemary, thyme, or sage for an earthy, autumnal blend.
