Substitutes for chicken broth

Chicken broth substitutes

Chicken broth adds liquid and savoury flavour. Bouillon gives the closest taste; another broth works cup for cup.

What chicken broth does

Adds salty, savoury flavour and liquid to soups, sauces, grains and braises. A good swap replaces both the liquid and the savoury flavour.

Quick reference

SubstituteAmount
Chicken bouillon cube and water 1 cube chicken bouillon cube + 1 cup boiling waterper 1 cup chicken broth
Bouillon granules, powder or paste base and water 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules or broth base + 1 cup boiling waterper 1 cup chicken broth
Vegetable broth 1 cup vegetable brothper 1 cup chicken broth
Beef broth 1 cup beef brothper 1 cup chicken broth

When the substitute matters

  • Closest flavour: chicken bouillon cube or granules dissolved in water.
  • Vegetarian dishes: vegetable broth, same amount.
  • Stews and gravies: beef broth, same amount, for a darker, meatier result.
  • Bouillon is salty, so add salt at the end.

The substitutes, in detail

Chicken bouillon cube and water

Amount: 1 cube chicken bouillon cube + 1 cup boiling water per 1 cup chicken broth

All sources use 1 cube per cup of hot or boiling water. Saskatchewan Health Authority says to follow the package instructions, and allows beef or vegetable bouillon as well.

  1. Dissolve 1 cube in 1 cup boiling water.
  2. Use the liquid in place of the broth, cup for cup.

Best for

  • soups
  • rice and grains
  • sauces

What changes

Usually saltier than carton broth, so taste before adding salt.

Sources: North Dakota State University Extension·Saskatchewan Health Authority (provincial government health agency, Canada)·This Healthy Table·Insanely Good Recipes

Bouillon granules, powder or paste base and water

Amount: 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules or broth base + 1 cup boiling water per 1 cup chicken broth

NDSU Extension, This Healthy Table and Insanely Good Recipes use 1 tsp granules or powdered base per cup of water; Better Than Bouillon uses 1 tsp of its paste per 8 oz (1 cup) of water. Mississippi State's revision of the extension chart gives 1 1/2 tsp powdered base. Brands vary, so follow your package.

  1. Stir 1 tsp into 1 cup boiling water until dissolved.

Best for

  • soups
  • sauces
  • cooking grains

What changes

Salty and a little flat compared with homemade broth.

Sources: North Dakota State University Extension·Better Than Bouillon·This Healthy Table·Insanely Good Recipes

Vegetable broth

Amount: 1 cup vegetable broth per 1 cup chicken broth

Insanely Good Recipes and Pantry & Larder use the same amount; Food Network lists vegetable broth as a direct swap.

Best for

  • soups
  • risotto
  • vegetarian dishes

What changes

Milder, slightly sweeter and less meaty.

  • vegan
Sources: Food Network·Insanely Good Recipes·Pantry & Larder

Beef broth

Amount: 1 cup beef broth per 1 cup chicken broth

This Healthy Table and Pantry & Larder use the same amount; Food Network lists beef broth as a direct swap.

Best for

  • stews
  • gravies
  • dark sauces

Not for

  • delicate chicken soups

What changes

Darker colour and a stronger, meatier flavour.

Sources: Food Network·This Healthy Table·Pantry & Larder

Don't use

  • Coconut milk

    Turns the dish creamy; Pantry & Larder advises against it as a broth swap.

How we source this

Each swap is backed by at least two independent sources, including a test kitchen, university extension service or product maker. The amounts replace one unit of the original ingredient and do not work in reverse. See the full source list.

Sources

Related substitute pages