Chicken broth, also called chicken stock, is a common ingredient for many of us. Whether you use it to make sauces, soups, pasta, or stews, this food is part of many dishes. However, many of us like to buy commercial broth or stock, instead of going through the trouble of making it ourselves.
Chicken broth is a savory liquid that is a product of water and bones, meat, and vegetables. Chicken stock, on the other hand, is a product of water cooked with bones that are first roasted. In both cases, it is necessary to strain the liquid so that it is only a clear brown mix and has no solid food in it.
The broth has a light chicken flavor, while stock is a bit darker and has a stronger flavor. Both chicken broth and stock are often used interchangeably, as they serve similar purposes.
You can use homemade chicken broth or store-bought stock as a base for soups, stews, sauces, and in making pasta or rice.
What Can I Replace Chicken Broth With?
When you run out, don’t want to make them, or simply can’t find them, these chicken broth and chicken stock substitutes work great in many dishes.
Best For Soup, Stuffing, Rice, and Sauces
#1. Vegetable Broth
If your recipe calls for chicken broth or stock, you can certainly use vegetable broth in its place. You can make this broth the same way as any of the others but just don’t add the meat. The flavors are all from vegetables and spices, so it is a safe vegetarian option to use in soups, sauces, stuffing, and rice.
You can make vegetarian broth at home quickly, by simply simmering some vegetables in water. Some good vegetables are carrots, onions, turnips, celery, and parsley. After about 40 minutes, you can strain the liquid and use it in the same amount as you would chicken broth or stock.
#2. Bouillon Cubes
Bouillon means broth in French, and it is usually sold as concentrated powdered in cubes. You can find bouillon in almost any grocery store. You can use one cube of bouillon with one cup of hot water for every cup of chicken broth or stock.
Use bouillon cubes in making soup, sauces, cooking rice, and stuffing. This option does have more sodium than regular broth or stock, so you may want to take this into account.
#3. Beef Broth or Stock
While not suitable for every recipe, beef broth or stock works great when you are making certain dishes. This option is great for dark sauces, stews, soups, and stuffing. You can make beef broth or stock if you have beef or beef bones of any sort along with some vegetables.
If you prefer, though, you can buy beef broth or stock easily in any grocery store. You can use the same amount that the recipe indicates, but remember to taste as you go.
Best For Risotto, Slow Cooker Recipes, Stir-Fry, and Stews
#4. Herbs and Melted Butter
Using a mix of herbs is a good idea when you are trying to add flavor and aroma to recipes like risotto, stews, and slow-cooked meals. Good herbs to consider include tarragon, thyme, basil, parsley, or oregano. You can add them chopped up to simmering water with melted butter for extra fat and texture.
Finding these herbs shouldn’t be a problem, as most produce sections in grocery or organic stores have them. Be careful with simmering the herbs for more than 15 minutes because some may turn bitter.
#5. White Wine
A lot of French recipes ask for chicken broth or stock but also use white wine. If you don’t have the broth or stock, you can add the wine instead. This option works well in dishes like risotto, pasta, and some slow-cooked meals with chicken or pork.
You can choose a dry, aromatic wine that mimics the flavor of chicken broth or stock better. Consider adding some fat too, like butter or oil, and maybe a bit of salt. You can use half a cup of white wine for every cup of broth or stock.
This choice is a bit different, as it is dark in color, but it is highly aromatic and flavorful. This choice is a great option in cooking darker dishes, like sauces, gravy, stews, and stir-fry. You can add a bit of oil or water to balance the flavors.
Many of us use Worcestershire sauce constantly, but if you don’t have it, try your local grocery store. For every cup of chicken broth or stock, use ⅓ cup of Worcestershire sauce with water and a bit of oil.
Another unconventional choice, apple juice can work wonders in certain dishes. Use apple juice mixed with some herbs for a sweet and savory flavor. You can add apple juice to your cooking process when making risotto, slow-cooked dishes, and stews.
Finding apple juice is very easy. Simply try a local grocery or convenience store. Add ½ cup of apple juice for every cup of chicken broth or stock. You can try as you cook, as you may want to add other ingredients, like oil or melted butter, spices, and salt.
FAQs
Can you use chicken soup instead of chicken broth?
Only if you don’t have any other ingredients will this soup work in place of chicken broth. Most times commercial chicken soup has a ton of added salt, so water it down a bit first. One of these 7 alternatives will work better in most cases.
Can I substitute turkey broth for chicken broth?
Yes, using turkey broth in place of chicken broth is a good solution. Turkey is poultry and it has a very similar flavor. If you prefer it, use turkey in place of chicken when making your stock.
What can you add to chicken broth for soup?
If you want to make a tasty soup, add spices, like tarragon, oregano, and parsley. Some vegetables that work include carrots, onions, celery, and parsnip. If you want to make the soup more decadent, add cream and butter as well.
Conclusion
Some people use chicken broth or stock constantly, but when you run out of it, it can be hard to make or buy one. You can use any of these 7 substitutes to make delicious dishes, like soups, sauces, stews, and pasta. If you want, you can even combine some of these for better flavors.
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.
