Vegan Chicken Seasoning (No Nutritional Yeast)

This homemade, gluten-free, vegan chicken seasoning is super easy to make and contains no nutritional yeast!

Chicken-style seasoning is a common ingredient in cooking, and vegan chicken-style seasoning (such as McKay’s Chicken-Style Seasoning) is a common ingredient in vegan cooking.

Unfortunately, despite the striking yellow color of these ready-made seasonings, the ingredients in them are not very healthy. These are some of the typical ingredients in vegan chicken-style seasoning:

• hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• maltodextrin
• cane juice (sugar)
• dextrose (sugar that usually comes from corn or wheat)
• oil
• sucrose
• natural flavors
• corn syrup solids
• yeast extract
• nutritional yeast

But, when you make your own, you are in control of the ingredients!

Homemade vegan chicken seasoning is soooo easy to make. It’s made from a blend of herbs that you likely already have on hand.

And it takes only 5 minutes.

Healthy Ingredients

This homemade seasoning is

• Vegan (no animal products)
• Soy-free
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• MSG-free (contains no MSG)
• Nutritional-yeast-free (No nutritional yeast)

Money Saving

Not only is this seasoning healthy and simple to make, it’s also a lot less expensive than the pricey vegan store-bought chicken seasoning.

How to Use Vegan Chicken Seasoning

This healthy seasoning tastes great with so many foods! For best flavor, I recommend also adding just a tiny bit of tahini to whatever food you’re using the seasoning in. This helps replace the flavor that nutritional yeast typically brings to the dish.

Serving Ideas

I like to use this seasoning in or on:

French fries

Soups

Tofu

Rice or Quinoa

Gravy

Veggie burgers and loafs

Stews

Potatoes, pasta, and noodles

Cooked veggies (like cauliflower, winter squash, and kale)

Roasted vegetables

Breading mix

Chickpeas

Other names for vegan chicken seasoning

Vegan chicken-style seasoning is also called:

Chicken-Like Seasoning
Chicken salt
Vegan chicken bouillon
Vegan chicken broth powder
Chicken-style seasoning
Chicken base
Vegan chicken broth
Chicky seasoning

Frequently Asked Questions

Why nutritional-yeast-free?

Why avoid nutritional yeast? Is nutritional yeast unhealthy? You can find the answers to these questions in a post I wrote about nutritional yeast.

Why do you recommend using tahini along with this homemade seasoning?

Most commercially-available chicken-style seasoning and homemade chicken-style seasoning contain either nutritional yeast or another ingredient that gives it umami flavor that somewhat mimics chicken flavor. I choose not to use nutritional yeast in my diet, and have found that adding a tiny bit of tahini (and sometimes a little squeeze of lemon) along with this seasoning lends some of that umami flavor without the nutritional yeast. (The amount you use depends upon the other ingredients in the recipe. I usually experiment until I get the right flavor.)

What is vegan chicken seasoning?

It’s is a seasoning that is often used in vegan dishes to give a chicken flavor. Most store-bought chicky seasoning contain unhealthy ingredients.

This seasoning recipe is made from healthy ingredients and can be used in any savory dish that you want to add flavor to.

Does this vegan chicken-style seasoning (with no nutrtional yeast) taste just like regular chicken seasoning?

This versatile seasoning is quite delicious; however, it does not taste exactly like chicken seasoning. But I think you’ll love it just the same.

Does this chicken-style seasoning taste just like chicken-style seasoning that you can buy?

Vegan chicken-style seasoning that you can buy typically contains nutritional yeast or other unhealthy ingredients. This seasoning is made from a combination of healthful ingredients. Because of this, it does not taste exactly like vegan chicken-style seasoning. But if you also add a little tahini to your dish, I think you’ll like it so much you’ll never miss the unhealthy stuff.

Do I have to grind it in a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or blender?

You can use the seasoning without grinding it, but doing so ensures the flavors are evenly mixed so the flavor is right when you add it to food. If you don’t grind it, the herbs tend to separate.

How should I store this homemade seasoning?

Keep this seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

If you live in a humid environment, you may want to add a desiccant pack to your seasoning container, otherwise the mixture may absorb moisture and become clumpy.

Is chicken broth/bouillon vegan?

I’ve heard some people ask, “Do vegans eat chicken bouillon or chicken broth?”

The answer is no. Chicken broth and bouillon are typically made from chicken and is not vegan.

But there are some vegan chicken-like bouillons. However they typically contain unhealthy ingredients. This recipe is a healthy alternative to vegan chicken bouillon.

More Nutritional-Yeast-Free recipes?

Many vegan recipes contain nutritional yeast. All of my recipes are nutritional-yeast-free.

You may especially enjoy my vegan cheese recipes that contain no nutritional yeast.

Vegan Chicken Seasoning (Nutritional-Yeast-Free)

Chicken-style seasoning can add a lovely flavor to rice, vegetables, soups, casseroles, or gravy. But many seasonings of this type contain hydrolyzed soy protein, sugar, maltodextrin, nutritional yeast, and other harmful ingredients. Here’s a healthy version that you can easily make at home.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Condiment, Misc

YIELD 5 tablespoons

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons granulated onion
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons celery salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika (optional)

Instructions

• Place all ingredients in a coffee grinder or blender. Blend until all ingredients are slightly ground.
• Store in an airtight container in a dry, cool place.

Notes

1. Most commercially-available chicken-style seasoning and homemade chicken-style seasoning contain either nutritional yeast or another ingredient that gives it umami flavor that somewhat mimics chicken flavor. I have found that adding a tiny bit of tahini (and sometimes a little squeeze of lemon) along with this homemade Vegan Chicken Seasoning lends some of that umami flavor without the nutritional yeast.

2. If you live in a humid environment, you may want to add a desiccant pack to your seasoning container, otherwise the mixture may absorb moisture and become clumpy.

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