Now that everyone is learning to cook, a roast, stew, or gravy, can be very tasty and fulfilling. But for all these dishes, as well as soups and sauces, you may need beef broth, as it gives flavor and substance. However, if you don’t have any beef broth, some alternatives can save your day and give your dish more flavor.
A lot of people confuse beef broth with beef stock, but these two aren’t the same. Beef stock is a very clear liquid obtained after cooking or simmering beef but not necessarily meat.
It doesn’t have much flavor to it because it isn’t seasoned with much but salt. Beef broth, on the other hand, is made with more seasoning, so it is tastier.
What Can I Replace Beef Broth With?
These are the best substitutes for beef broth if you don’t have any:
#1. Chicken Broth
Since this broth is also made of meat, it is a good choice for your recipe, especially if it is a stew, soup, or creamy sauce. This broth is made by cooking chicken and bones in water, sometimes along with vegetables, and then the remaining liquid is used as a broth. Usually, chicken broth is used as a base for soups, white sauces, and some pasta dishes.
You can buy chicken broth in any grocery store, usually boxed, but you can also make it easily at home, though it may take some time. You can pretty much replace the beef broth with equal parts of chicken broth, though the color may be lighter in the end.
#2. Bouillon Cubes
Also known as a stock cube or broth cube, this option is dehydrated bouillon, formed into a small cube. Usually, these cubes are made from vegetables, meat stock, fat, salt, and seasoning, but you can also find them in vegetarian form. Bouillon cubes are particularly popular in sauces, gravies, stews, casseroles, and soups.
You can find bouillon cubes by the seasoning aisle in the grocery store, but for more variety, you may want to try the organic supermarket. To use it, boil 1 cup of water and dissolve 1 cube completely, once mixed, you can use it to replace 1 cup of beef broth.
#3. Vegetable Broth
This choice is vegetarian and is commonly used in place of beef broth because it packs flavor and is very versatile.
You can add any vegetables to it, including carrots, mushrooms, garlic, and onions, and seasoning as well, including rosemary, thyme, pepper, and bay leaves. Vegetable broth is made just like meat broth but without the actual meat.
Vegetable broth is commonly used in sauces, soups, and casseroles, and you can find it in many grocery stores and even some convenience stores. You can replace the beef broth with the same amount of vegetable broth, but you may need more seasoning.
#4. Beer or Wine
This option may sound crazy, but beer or wine are great substitutions because they add flavor, texture, and color to your dish. Some recipes already use wine or beer, including some meat stews, gravies, and sauces. If you are trying to keep the recipe alcohol-free, you can pick non-alcoholic beer instead.
Wine and beer are sold everywhere including grocery stores and liquor stores, but you can decide which one to use by going with your personal preference. You can also mix both wine and beer for a different taste. If you choose this choice, make sure you try adjusting the rest of the liquids and add as you go.
#5. Soy Sauce
While it may seem weird to replace the beef broth with soy sauce, it is a good option because it adds flavor and color as well. If you want, you can mix soy sauce with vegetable broth for a more similar taste to beef broth.
Soy sauce is used in many dishes, especially in Asian cuisine, but for this replacement, you can use 1 cup of soy sauce and 1 cup of vegetable broth.
Soy sauce is widely available everywhere, including grocery stores and convenience stores. You can also try adding steak or Worcestershire sauce along with the sauce, but you should measure carefully to not overpower your dish.
This is another vegetarian choice that can be a good alternative to beef broth. Like soy sauce, it brings an umami flavor to the dish, so you can add it while cooking along with vegetable or mushroom broth. Liquid aminos are often used in sauces, stews, and casseroles, and it is a healthy choice full of amino acids.
Liquid aminos may be harder to find, but you can try the seasoning aisle in the grocery store or your local organic supermarket. You can replace 1 tablespoon liquid aminos mixed with 1 tablespoon vegetable broth in place of beef broth.
FAQs
Can you use water instead of broth?
Yes, you can simply add water to a dish for liquid, but there is no flavor or seasoning, so the end product will probably not be as tasty. We recommend you choose another type of broth or at least add more seasoning to replace the beef broth.
Can I use beef bouillon instead of beef broth?
Yes, beef bouillon is just condensed beef stock or broth, that’s why it is very salty, so make sure you dilute it by dissolving it in boiling water first. One beef bouillon is the same as 1 cup of beef broth.
Which is more flavorful: stock or broth?
The broth is usually more flavorful because it is made with not just meat or bones, but also seasonings. You can use stock instead of broth, but you may have to add more seasoning during the cooking process.
Conclusion
While beef broth is widely used in recipes, you can use one of the substitutes in its place without any trouble. All of these add a different taste, but your recipe will come out very flavorful, just make sure you measure ingredients accordingly.
Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.
