If you’re looking for healthy and delicious broth substitutes, you’ve come to the right place! The most popular substitutes for chicken broth or beef broth substitute are here.
We’ll have a substitute for you, from chicken to vegetable stock. Not only are these substitute broth recipes healthy, but they’re also easy to make–perfect for when you don’t have time to cook or want to save time in the kitchen.
So be sure to check out our blog and learn about the benefits of broth substitutes!
Common Ways to Substitute for Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is one of the best pantry staples; however, what if you’re all set to prepare your recipe, the vegetables are already chopped, and you reach into your pantry to discover that you don’t have any chicken broth?
You may still make your favorite stews and quick pot soups, such as Creamy Chicken, French Onion Potato Soup, and Wild Rice Soup, by using these simple chicken broth substitutes, which will provide almost the same chicken flavor.
Besides soup, chicken broth substitutes can also deglaze a skillet. The most important factor when choosing a chicken broth substitute is taste. Make sure the replacement has the same flavor as regular chicken broth.
To replace chicken broth, you might be lucky if you already have some chicken bouillon cubes. These powdered miracles melt in hot water and have a flavor comparable to chicken broth.
Remember that chicken bouillon cubes probably have more salt than your typical chicken broth, so taste for seasonings before adding extra salt.
Nutrition – Some replacements are more nutritious than others.
Read the ingredients list carefully to ensure that all nutrients have been preserved in the chicken broth substitute. Use one of the famous chicken broth substitutes listed below, or scroll down for information on how to make your own broth.
Remember that a 14.5-ounce chicken broth equals 134 cups, while a 10.5-ounce can is the same.
Chicken broth provides a dish with a salty, savory basis. This can be replicated by mixing salted butter with water. While it lacks the flavor of chicken, it provides a deep and delicious foundation for many meals.
1. Chicken Stock
There’s little difference between chicken stock and chicken broth, so either can be used without sacrificing flavor. The bones from the chicken are used in chicken broth, along with some vegetables and herbs, but the meat from the chicken is concentrated in chicken stock substitute.
Compared to stock, chicken broth has a slightly thicker consistency and is less liquid at the end of your meal. Using the same amount of stock as you would use broth in your recipe is OK. You don’t have to account for a difference in measurements; adding a few drops of olive oil can boost it even further.
2. Herb Water
As a chicken broth substitute, you can use regular water or water mixed with butter and water mixed with herbs. Put some more flavorful herbs in the water, such as tarragon, thyme, basil, or oregano, and let it simmer.
Since dried herbs are always more concentrated and flavorful, you’ll need to add three times the amount you’d need if you used fresh herbs.
3. Vegetable Stock
Vegetable stocks often have less sodium than chicken stocks, so if you want to reduce your salt intake, this is the way to go. Because a broth demands bones, it is impossible to create a veggie broth.
Vegetable broth is ridiculously easy to make at home, making it an excellent substitute for chicken broth.
Vegetables also provide enzymes, minerals, and vitamins; therefore, the final soup or sauce will be higher in vitamins and minerals. Vegetable stock is also vegan-friendly because it contains no animal products like meat or dairy.
When preparing a dish for guests when you are uncertain of their preferences, vegetable stock is a preferable substitute for chicken broth flavor. In addition, persons with food allergies may like the flavor because this stock is often simmered for less time than chicken stocks. Carrots, celery stalks, onions, garlic cloves, and green beans are a few of the most frequent vegetables used to make vegetable broth. This makes it a fantastic substitute for chicken broth.
4. Dashi
Seeking a delicious replacement that will add umami to your dish? Dashi is an obscure Asian ingredient available in both dry and liquid versions. It has a scent and flavor that will remind you of seafood, but I may use it in many meals when a bold flavor boost is required.
You can ruin a dish with an excessive amount of this overbearing flavor. Mix it with a bit of water and add a little at a time until the flavor is exactly right.
5. Beef Broth
Beef broth is an excellent option for chicken broth because of its more prosperous and nuanced flavor. The meaty aromas and umami found in bone broth significantly enhance the flavor of your food.
For this reason, several cultures employ beef broth instead of chicken broth, including Vietnamese cuisine.
If you are not very keen on improving the taste and aroma of your dish, you can weaken your beef broth with additional water.
Though the flavor would be significantly diminished, you may substitute beef stock for broth. It should be used as a 1:1 replacement. Therefore, you will need to taste your beef broth to ensure it is consistent with the dish.
6. Chicken Bouillon Cube
Bouillon cubes are chicken stock dried and compacted into little cubes. Add them to any meal for a quick and easy flavor boost! So rather than bothering with liquid and the possibility of a massive mess, add a few cubes to your dish; bouillon dissolves quickly.
Concentrated chicken stock is another excellent substitute if you’re looking for a condensed chicken broth substitute. It’s a thick and highly flavorful concentrated form of chicken stock.
Every time, add bouillon cubes towards the end of cooking so they thoroughly dissolve in the cooking liquid before simmering. One cube dissolved in one cup of water yields the same volume as one cup of chicken broth.
7. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk will not always be a substitute for chicken broth stock, although it can be used in a pinch. It will go much better with Indian or African cuisine because the thick coconut flavor complements the rich delicacies of these countries.
Because of the sweetness of coconut milk, you will need to be mindful of how much you add to your recipe. It is simple to end up with a supper flavored with coconut milk if you add a great deal.
You should only use this alternative if the flavor complements the meal you are preparing; otherwise, it may be preferable to use water.
8. Chicken Bouillon Granules
Chicken bouillon granules are a suitable alternative to chicken broth. In actuality, even those who adore chicken broth frequently select vegetable broth.
Not every person has the time to prepare chicken broth from scratch; purchasing vegetable broth granules is a quick way to have the same richer flavor in a fraction of the time!
Because homemade chicken broth has a short shelf life, convenience saves you time and reduces waste. Granules are also available in little packages, nearly undetectable when added to food.
Because they are essentially dehydrated chicken broth, they will have the same delicious flavor. You’ll also like how little space it requires in your cupboard, especially considering how much flavor it imparts. A homemade chicken broth won’t last long after it’s made; use them the same day.
9. Wine
Although wine does not taste like chicken broth, it can replace it in a pinch. Dry white wine is superior to other types of cooking and can even be used to deglaze the frying pan.
Avoid adding excessive wine to your food. The potent flavor might overpower the food and alter its taste entirely. If your recipe calls for less than half a cup of dry wine, you may use it.
10. Aquafaba
With healthy and delicious broth alternatives, aquafaba is hard to beat. This by-product of cooking legumes like beans, peas, and lentils is similar in texture to egg whites, making it an excellent substitute for eggs in baked goods, salads, and more.
It can also create mock chicken meat like falafel and chickpea patties. In addition, aquafaba has a high water content, so it’s great for thickening sauces or gravies without adding extra calories or fat.
So next time you’re in the mood for a great broth, reach for aquafaba instead of a bone broth substitute.
11. Salted Butter and Water
Rather than using ordinary water to create homemade broth, you can add a small amount of butter to create a more savory option.
As long as you adhere to a ratio of one tablespoon of butter per cup of water, you can substitute this mixture for the precise amount specified in the recipe.
If chicken broth is one of the primary ingredients, such as in a soup, you may encounter flavor issues. Verify that your food doesn’t require additional seasoning before presenting it to your guests by tasting it beforehand.
12. Chicken Broth Concentrate
We can find chicken broth concentrate in little sachets at local supermarkets. The packages contain chicken broth that has been dried and concentrated.
In the same way, you would use chicken bouillon granules; you only need to add them to hot water. They taste identical to traditional chicken broth.
You need not change your recipe, as you will still get the same delicious flavors. This concentration can be used as a 1:1 substitute.
13. Water
Even if your kitchen is bare, you don’t have to worry because you can make a delicious broth by heating just water from the faucet.
More often than not, your recipe will ask for aromatic ingredients, such as onions or garlic, that assist release a great deal of flavor into the liquid.
Add a few extra aromatics and herbs if you’re using water as a base, as it may require more components to achieve the same flavor as a chicken base.
The good thing is that you have complete control over your dish while using water. You need not worry about a substitute broth altering your dish.
What you taste is what you will receive.
14. Ramen Seasoning
Who thought this highly-ranked college dish would be the key to crafting the optimal alternative for chicken broth?
However, because of its salty and intense flavor, you should not add the entire packet to your dish. In place of this, dissolve the packet into 1 cup of boiling water and taste it.
If it is excessively salty, you will need to add more water. And once the flavor resembles broth, add the amount to your recipe.
Create It Yourself
Of course, you can make your own broth. Preparing your own chicken broth requires time, but it gives you control over the ingredients and salt concentration.
Here is a simple recipe to help you get started making your own broth:
INGREDIENTS
Entire chicken pieces or the bones (or whatever chicken you have on hand if that’s all you have) are required.
Two carrots sliced
2-3 sliced celery stalks
Two parsley roots, chopped (optional)
Two laurel leaves
One teaspoon thyme leaves
One big onion, finely diced
One teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Water (enough to immerse the ingredients)
Allocate all ingredients to the slow cooker and COVER with water, leaving a 2-inch overhang. (Leave at least 2 inches between the top of the cover and the food) and set the temperature to low.
COOK for ten to twelve hours or overnight. (If your slow cooker has a timer, reset it if necessary.)
Once the broth is boiled, STRAIN it through a fine-mesh strainer and refrigerate it (tightly wrapped) for up to 5 days.
NOTE: Broth can be frozen in the refrigerator after at least 8 hours; however, it must be skimmed for fat before being frozen for up to 9 months.
Conclusion
Soup is one of the most comforting dishes you can enjoy, and there are plenty of healthy and delicious broth substitutes to choose from.
Chicken bone broth is a great way to get collagen and other nutrients daily. Collagen helps keep skin elastic and healthy and is also essential for joint health.
In addition, it contains many other beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as biotin, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, vitamin B12, vitamin E, omega-3 fats (including Omega-6 & Omega-3 fatty acids), enzymes, thyroid hormones alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) & gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), immune system cells IL-2 & TNFalpha ), cartilage tissue chondroitin sulfate.
By substituting chicken broth with the option listed above, you’ll be able to make a nutritious and delicious soup. Try these broth substitutes the next time you’re in the mood for a hot bowl of soup!
Looking for an easy and economical way to add more nutrients to your diet?
Your local grocery store-bought vegetable broth is a great option! Broths are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial microorganisms that can help improve your overall health.
They are also low in nutrition, calories, and sodium, making them a good choice if you’re trying to lose or maintain your current weight.
