You Can Still Finish Dinner If You Run Out of Broth (2024)

Beef and chicken broths are essential for many of our best soups and stews; they also contribute flavor and body to all kinds of sauces and gravies. In our experience, homemade broth offers the best overall flavor, and purchased broth comes in a pretty close second; however, sometimes we simply don't have this key ingredient on hand. It happens. And when it does, you'll be glad to know that there are some fine chicken and beef broth substitutes you can use. Here are some products to keep on hand for your broth-less days, along with how to use them.

You Can Still Finish Dinner If You Run Out of Broth (1)

Chicken Broth Substitute

If you don't have canned or homemade chicken broth on hand, bouillon cubes ($1, Target) or bouillon granules ($4, Target) make the easiest chicken broth replacement. In general, here's the formula:

  • 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules + 1 cup hot water = 1 cup chicken broth substitute

Be sure to check the package directions; some bouillon cubes, such as those found in international grocery markets or health food stores, might require different measurements.

Beef Broth Substitute

Bouillon cubes ($1, Target) or granules also make a simple beef broth substitute, and the same formula applies:

See Also
Stock Up!

  • 1 beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules + 1 cup hot water = 1 cup beef broth substitute

Once again, be sure to check the package directions, as some bouillon cubes might require different measurements.

You Can Still Finish Dinner If You Run Out of Broth (2)

Using Stock or Bone Broth as a Broth Substitute

Yes! You can use beef or chicken stock as a beef or chicken broth alternative. What's the difference? Stock is made by simmering roasted beef or chicken bones for a long time, a process that extracts the collagen from the bones and gives the stock a slightly gelatinous texture, plus rich beef or chicken flavor. Broths, on the other hand, don't simmer nearly as long as stocks and have subtler beef or chicken flavors.

Keep in mind, however, that store-bought stocks can be made with less seasoning than broths. Therefore, if you're using beef stock or chicken stock as a beef or chicken broth substitute, be sure to check the flavors of your dish and add more of what you love, such as salt, pepper, herbs, and spices.

What about bone broth? Chicken and beef bone broths are like a cross between a stock and a broth. Like a stock, bone broth calls on bones (or bony pieces) of beef or chicken and requires a long simmering time. And like a broth, bone broth recipes generally include a good amount of vegetables and seasonings.

Yes, you can use beef or chicken bone broth as a beef or chicken broth substitute.

Other Beef and Chicken Broth Substitutes

If you find your pantry is missing all the above options, there are a few more broth replacements you might have stocked.

  • Chicken Base/Beef Base: This paste-like ingredient, made from the meat, juices, and fat of chicken or beef, comes in a jar and must be refrigerated after opening. When reconstituted in water according to package directions, chicken base ($5, Target) makes a rich, flavorful chicken broth substitute. Look for it in the soup aisle of supermarkets.
  • Low-Sodium Chicken or Beef Broth: Canned broths, bouillon cubes, and bouillon granules are usually saltier than homemade stocks. If you're concerned about sodium intake, use a reduced-sodium product as a healthier beef or chicken broth alternative.
  • White Wine, Apple Juice, or Water: When you need just a little bit of chicken broth to deglaze a pan for a gravy or pan sauce, broth substitutes are easy: White wine works (and is also a flavor enhancer). You can also try apple juice, provided that the flavor of the juice will complement the other flavors of the dish as well. As a last resort, simply use water; however, before serving, check the seasoning, as you may need to add salt and pepper to make up for the loss of seasoning in the broth.

Whenever possible, we prefer making soup recipes with a homemade broth. But when we just don't have time for all that advance simmering, and canned broths have disappeared from our pantry, it's good to know there are terrific beef and chicken broth substitutes out there. Keep bouillon cubes, granules, or beef or chicken base on hand, and you'll always have a simple work-around.

You Can Still Finish Dinner If You Run Out of Broth (2024)

FAQs

You Can Still Finish Dinner If You Run Out of Broth? ›

White Wine, Apple Juice, or Water: When you need just a little bit of chicken broth to deglaze a pan for a gravy or pan sauce, broth substitutes are easy: White wine works (and is also a flavor enhancer).

What can I use if I don't have broth? ›

Chicken Broth Substitute: Salted Butter + Water

If you don't have broth on hand and want a little more flavor than just plain water, try subbing in 1 cup of water plus 1 tablespoon of butter for every cup of chicken broth in your recipe.

What to do when out of beef broth? ›

Substitutes for Beef Broth
  1. Beef Stock, Beef Consommé, Beef Bone Broth, Beef base. AB-7272 / Shutterstock. ...
  2. Beef Bouillon Cubes. Linda Rogalski / Shutterstock. ...
  3. Worcestershire Sauce. kai keisuke / Shutterstock. ...
  4. Soy Sauce and Steak Sauce Combined. marcel laznicka / Shutterstock. ...
  5. Red Wine. ...
  6. Mushroom Broth. ...
  7. Soy Sauce. ...
  8. Miso Paste.
Nov 30, 2023

Is broth enough for a meal? ›

While bone broth can be used as a meal replacement for weight loss, it can also be a filling snack or a cooking oil replacement, according to LeMoine. Dr. Petrucci recommends using it as a base for soups or stew and even freezing it in ice cube trays to use in a stir fry later.

Can broth be a meal replacement? ›

Bone broth is moderately high in protein but extremely low in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. Bone broth is high in sodium, so opt for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties or make your own at home. Bone broth should not replace meals, snacks, or protein in your diet because it does not provide significant nutrition.

Is it OK to use water instead of broth? ›

The simple answer is yes, it's usually okay to substitute vegetable stock with water. In most recipes that call for vegetable stock, its main advantage over water is that it provides flavor, which is especially important if you're making vegetarian or vegan food that's missing the richness from meat.

What to do if you don't have enough broth? ›

If you don't have any kind of broth on hand, you can resort to bouillon cubes or granules to make a broth substitute. To create the equivalent of 1 cup of broth, combine 1 cube or 1 teaspoon of granules with 1 cup of boiling water and mix until the bouillon dissolves.

Will I lose weight if I only eat broth? ›

Drinking only bone broth can help you lose weight because it deprives you of calories. However, it could be harmful to the body, so be cautious and ensure that you receive the complete range of nutrients you require to be healthy. A combination of diet and exercise may help you lose weight.

Does fasting include broth? ›

Taking anything with calories can break a fast, especially if you are fasting for autophagy (the body's mechanism of degrading unnecessary or dysfunctional cells for optimal health). Bone broth contains 40 - 50 calories per cup; therefore, it will break your fast.

Is drinking broth good for weight loss? ›

Bone broth can be a part of a healthy weight loss regime. It is loaded with protein—about 10 grams per serving—that can help you feel full for longer. This extra protein can also assist in building lean muscle mass, which in turn enables your body to burn more calories throughout the day.

Can broth curb hunger? ›

Having soup or broth before a meal can help you feel more satisfied and curb your cravings for high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. The combination of protein, fiber, water and umami flavor could be why. If you're not a soup fan, or at least not in the summer months, you may find similar satiety with smoothies.

How to do a broth fast? ›

A bone broth fast is a type of modified intermittent fast that entails consuming bone broth several times per day as a replacement for meals. Consuming bone broth provides your body with essential amino acids while allowing your gut a rest from anti-nutrients in vegetables or grains and other inflammatory foods.

Does broth count as intake? ›

Make sure to count soups, broths, popsicles, ice cream bars, and other foods that contain liquid as part of your intake. Avoid salty foods. They can make you more thirsty.

What can I use for soup broth or stock? ›

As a result, stock is usually a healthier product, delivering a richer mouth feel and deeper flavor than broth. Stock is a versatile culinary tool that can deliver taste to any number of dishes. Darker in color and more concentrated in flavor than broth, it's ideal for use in soups, rice, sauces and more.

How do you convert chicken base to broth? ›

It's so simple to turn chicken soup base into a substitute for chicken stock or broth – Just add water! Simply mix ½ teaspoon of chicken base with 8 ounces of water. One pound of chicken base converts to 5 ½ gallons of soup stock or broth – that's twenty-two 32-oz. boxes!

What is a substitute for chicken broth concentrate? ›

Chicken bouillon cubes are a great, conveniently concentrated substitute for concentrated chicken stock. A single cube can be enough to season a main course. You could also make a stock concentrate by dissolving a cube in 1-200 mL of hot water. These cubes come in both vegan and non-vegan varieties.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 6711

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.