If you enjoy cooking, you’ll want to bookmark these chicken broth substitutes.
They’re perfect in a pinch and work well in all kinds of recipes, from pasta and soup to risotto.
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Chicken Broth Substitute (14 Easy Alternatives)
Plenty of recipes call for chicken broth because it adds moisture and a ton of flavor.
But what happens if you run out?
Well, luckily, there are plenty of chicken broth substitutes you can use instead. They might not have the exact same flavor, but they’ll work well enough.
So, read on to learn about the best alternatives for chicken broth – starting with the best!
1. Chicken Stock
People often think chicken stock and chicken broth are the same and can be used interchangeably.
And the truth is, they kind of can.
Chicken broth is made with meat, vegetables, herbs, and seasonings. In contrast, chicken stick calls for simmering bones.
As a result, stock is thicker. That’s because it’s loaded with gelatin, which is found naturally in animal bones.
But when adding it to stew and soup recipes, you won’t really notice the thickness.
Replacement: use an equal amount of chicken stock to chicken broth – 1 cup for 1 cup.
2. Chicken Bouillon Cubes/Granules
Don’t we all have chicken bouillon cubes in the back of the pantry? If not, you should get some!
They’re available as cubes or granules, they last a long time, and are a terrific chicken broth alternative.
Most need to be dissolved in hot water. But you can add them to pots with liquid, so long as you plan to cook it for at least 10 minutes.
That said, I usually dissolve 1 cube in a cup of hot water.
Replacement: use 1 bouillon cube (or 1 teaspoon of granules) in 8 ounces of water per 1 cup of chicken broth.
3. Vegetable Stock
Are you a vegetarian or looking for a healthier alternative to chicken broth? Vegetable stock is a fantastic chicken broth substitute!
You can easily make it yourself by simmering vegetables in water with garlic. I like to use off-cuts, skins/peels, or veggies that’re going limp.
If you don’t have enough for a pot, freeze them until you do!
Or course, you can also buy it ready-made. Just watch out for the salt levels.
Either way, vegetable stock is a versatile and tasty substitute for chicken broth. It’ll add a depth of flavor to your recipe without overpowering the ingredients.
Replacement: use an equal amount of vegetable stock to chicken broth – 1 cup for 1 cup.
4. Ramen Noodle Packets
Are you looking for a creative way to substitute chicken broth?
Believe it or not, those packets of ramen noodles you have lying around are a great substitute!
Or rather, the flavor packet! They’re loaded with herbs and spices and will bring plenty of flavor to your recipes.
Having said that, the flavor is very concentrated. So I suggest dissolving it in water and tasting it before adding it to your meals.
That way, you can add more water as needed.
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Replacement: dissolve 1 ramen flavor packet in 1 – 1 1/2 cups of hot water. Then use 1 cup for every cup of chicken broth required.
5. Beef Broth
Are you running out of chicken broth? Why not shake things up with some beefy goodness?
Beef broth has a distinct, rich flavor that’s much more powerful than chicken. So it’s best in robust dishes, like chili.
But don’t be afraid of it! Instead, embrace it and let it add a new depth to your meals.
The key is to dilute it in water. That way, you can control the flavor and saltiness in your dish.
I suggest adding 1/4 cup of water to 1 cup of beef broth. Taste it, then add more as needed.
Replacement: use diluted beef broth (1 cup broth + 1/4 cup water) as a 1:1 substitute for chicken broth – 1 cup for 1 cup.
6. Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the liquid that remains after cooking chickpeas or other legumes.
I know it may seem like an unusual substitute, but it’s an excellent option for vegan dishes.
The best type is from canned chickpeas. Just drain the liquid, and you’ll see it has a similar consistency to chicken broth.
However, it does contain more starch, so you won’t need as much. It’s best to dilute it with water first.
And obviously, this won’t give you the same level of seasoning. So you’ll need to add extra herbs and spices to your recipe.
Replacement: use diluted aquafaba (1/2 cup with 1/2 cup water) for 1 cup of chicken broth.
7. Miso
Miso is a salty, umami-rich paste that packs a wallop of flavor. And it’s one of my go-to chicken broth substitutes.
In fact, I often use miso even if I have broth on hand.
You’ll find miso in a range of colors, and the darker it is, the stronger the flavor. So if you’re new to using it, I recommend using light miso.
It’s quite dense, so you’ll need to dilute it before use. Start with 1/2 tablespoon of miso per 1 cup of water and go from there.
Just remember that miso should only be added at the end of cooking; otherwise, you’ll lose all the goodness.
So only mix it in during the last few minutes.
Replacement: mix 1 tablespoon of light miso paste with 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and 1 cup of water or veggie stock. Use this as a 1:1 alternative for chicken broth.
8. Water
Okay, okay, I know this one is a little sad. But it’s something we all have on hand, right?
And if you ever run out of chicken broth, water is the simplest solution! It won’t bring any flavor, but it’ll thin out the recipe just like broth would.
Of course, that means you’ll need to compensate with additional herbs and spices.
Or add extra chicken and veggies to the dish.
Replacement: use an equal amount of water to chicken broth – 1 cup for 1 cup.
9. Butter and Water
If plain water is too bland for you, add melted butter.
Specifically, salted butter, if you have it. But if you only have unsalted butter, add a generous pinch for good measure.
Either way, mix melted butter with hot water, then use it how you would stock.
Butter and water work best as a substitute in dishes that require a mild flavor. Like when cooking rice or pasta.
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It’s not the best for soups and stews, where you need robust and distinct chicken flavor.
Replacement: mix 1 tablespoon of melted butter with hot water and use as a 1:1 substitute for chicken broth – 1 cup for 1 cup.
10. White Wine
Running low on chicken broth but have a bottle of white wine lying around? Fear not, because white wine can take your recipe up a notch.
There are plenty of recipes with white wine already on the ingredients list. So it’s not such a stretch to use it as a chicken broth substitute.
Though it will change the flavor, so keep that in mind. It’s best used in recipes with less than 1/2 cup of broth required. Any more, and it’ll taste funny.
Also, unless you bring it to a boil, there will still be alcohol in the mix. So I don’t suggest it in soups and sauces that don’t rise above a low simmer.
Replacement: mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1 cup of dry white wine and use as a 1:1 alternative for chicken broth – 1 cup for 1 cup.
11. Coconut Milk
Are you a vegan or looking for a dairy-free substitute for chicken broth?
Coconut milk is a delicious and creamy alternative that’ll add a fun tropical twist to your dish.
Of course, it won’t work for everything. For example, it’s not the best choice for Coq au Vin, which is traditionally robust and brothy.
But it’s a wonderful alternative in curries and certain soups.
Replacement:
Replacement: mix 1 tablespoon of soy sauce into 1 cup of coconut milk and use as a 1:1 replacement – 1 cup for 1 cup.
12. Dashi
Are you a fan of Asian cuisine or looking to add some umami flavor to your meals?
Dashi is a unique alternative that’ll jazz up any recipe!
That said, since it’s made of kelp (kombu) and dried fish flakes (bonito), there is a distinct fishy undertone.
So it’s not the best option for meat-forward meals.
The best way to use dashi is slowly diluting it in water until it tastes right to you.
Then, use about half the amount of chicken broth, and only in recipes where you don’t need a lot of chicken flavor.
Replacement: mix a pinch of dashi into 1 cup of water and adjust to taste. Use half the amount of diluted dashi to chicken broth – 1/2 cup to 1 cup.
13. Chicken Broth Concentrate
Chicken broth concentrate is an excellent way to have broth on hand because it takes up very little space and has a long shelf life.
And as the name suggests, it’s a fabulous chicken broth alternative.
It needs diluting, and each brand is different. So use the instructions on the bottle and adjust it as you see fit.
Replacement: dilute chicken broth concentrate per the package instructions, then use as a 1:1 substitute – 1 cup for 1 cup.
14. Mushroom Broth
If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative to chicken broth that’s not creamy, mushroom broth is the answer!
It’s a nutritious and delicious substitute that’ll add a rich and earthy flavor to your recipes.
Of course, it’s not ideal if you hate mushrooms. But if you like the taste, you’ll love the depth of flavor this adds.
Replacement: add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce to 1 cup of mushroom broth and use as a 1:1 alternative to chicken broth – 1 cup for 1 cup.
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