Bouillon cubes have been used for more than 100 years to add flavor to soups, sauces, casseroles, and any other dish that needs a spicy, umami-rich kick. Though hard and square, these small cubes are actually made from stock and/or dehydrated meats and vegetables. They can be mixed with water to make broth right away, or they can be melted into a curry to make it richer and tastier. It is a food that can be found in grocery stores all over the world and is used as a main ingredient in many cultures.
Beef bouillon cubes are a useful pantry item that can make any dish taste rich and meaty. But to get the most out of their flavor, you need to know how to dissolve them correctly. This guide will show you how to dissolve beef bouillon cubes perfectly every time.
What are Beef Bouillon Cubes?
Before we dive into dissolution methods let’s quickly cover what exactly beef bouillon cubes are. Bouillon cubes are condensed, dehydrated blocks of beef broth. They are made by slowly simmering beef bones meat, and vegetables to extract their flavor, then reducing the broth down to a thick, concentrated paste. This paste is then dried and shaped into small cubes.
Because of the process of dehydration, one small cube has the same amount of flavor as several cups of beef broth. Bouillon cubes were first made so cooks could quickly add flavor to food without making broth from scratch.
Common brands of beef bouillon cubes include Knorr Maggi and OXO. They can usually be found in the soup aisle of the grocery store.
Why Properly Dissolve Bouillon Cubes?
You may be wondering why it matters how you dissolve the cubes. Can’t you just toss them in the pot? While that may work for some applications, improper dissolving can lead to overly salty food or cubes that don’t fully integrate.
Proper dissolution helps ensure even distribution of the concentrated bouillon flavor. It also prevents the cubes from clumping up or sinking to the bottom of the pot. Taking a little extra care upfront yields huge flavor rewards.
Tips for Dissolving Bouillon Cubes
Follow these tips and tricks for perfect beef bouillon cube dissolution every time:
Start with Boiling Water
The number one rule is to always use boiling hot water when dissolving bouillon cubes. The cubes dissolve best in liquid that is 212 F (100 C) or above. The hot temperature “melts” the cubes quickly.
Start by bringing a pot or kettle of water to a rolling boil Then add the cube(s) and stir constantly until fully dissolved The boiling agitation helps break up the cubes,
Use the Proper Ratio
Beef bouillon cubes are highly concentrated, so you only need a small amount of water to dissolve them. The standard ratio is 1 cube per 1 cup of water. This produces a strongly flavored broth perfect for soups, stews, gravies, and more.
If you want a milder broth, use 2 cups of water per cube. But avoid using more water than that or the bouillon flavor will be too weak.
Crush the Cubes First
You can speed up dissolving time by crushing the cubes before adding them to the water. Break them up into a few smaller pieces using your fingers or the back of a spoon. The greater surface area helps them melt faster.
Stir, Stir, Stir
Vigorously stirring the water as you add the cubes is key for proper dissolving. The agitation helps break down the cubes and integrates the broth.
Use a whisk or spoon to stir in a circular motion, while pressing the cubes against the side of the pot. Keep stirring for 30-60 seconds until no lumps remain.
Don’t Use Cold Liquid
It may be tempting to save time by dissolving bouillon cubes in cold water. However, this often leaves small undissolved granules that sink to the bottom.
The hot liquid melts the cubes thoroughly for complete incorporation. Just remember to use caution when adding hot cubes to cold dishes, so you don’t crack or warp any containers.
Add to Hot Dishes
For the best results, add dissolved bouillon cubes to hot liquids like soups, gravies, and sauces. If added to cold liquids, the cubes may clump up or stick to the bottom of the pan.
The hot temperature of the dish will ensure the broth fully incorporates. Similarly, if using bouillon to season meats or vegetables, add it early in the cooking process so the flavor has time to develop.
Don’t Over-Reduce
When dissolving multiple cubes, avoid reducing the broth too much. If very concentrated, the broth can become unpleasantly salty and artificially beef-like.
For rich broths, limit yourself to about 1-2 cubes per cup of water. Simmer the broth gently so it doesn’t reduce down further.
Add Other Flavorings
To balance out the strong beefiness, add complementary flavors like herbs, spices, aromatics, lemon, and wine. Classic pairings include thyme, rosemary, parsley, black pepper, bay leaves, garlic, onion, carrot, celery, tomatoes, and red wine.
Use Granulated Bouillon Too
As an alternative to cubes, you can also buy granulated bouillon powder. The dissolving process is the same – mix the powder with boiling water in a 1 teaspoon to 1 cup ratio.
The powder dissolves even faster than cubes. Just make sure to whisk vigorously to prevent clumping. Granulated bouillon is great for seasoning on the fly.
Make Ahead and Store Bouillon
Dissolved beef bouillon will keep in the fridge for 5-7 days. Make a batch ahead of time so it’s ready to use anytime a recipe calls for broth.
Freezing is another option – ice cube trays are perfect for storing pre-portioned bouillon cubes. They pop right out and can be added to dishes as needed.
Tips for Using Dissolved Bouillon
Once you’ve mastered the art of dissolving beef bouillon, here are some of my favorite ways to use that savory, beefy broth:
-
Add to soups, stews, chilis, pot roasts, braised meats for extra flavor.
-
Use as a base for pan gravies, mushroom gravy, onion gravy.
-
Whisk into pan sauces and cooking liquids to add body.
-
Combine with cornstarch or flour to make a beefy slurry thickener.
-
Mix with olive oil and vinegar for a quick salad dressing.
-
Substitute for water or stock in rice, quinoa, and other grains.
-
Use as a poaching liquid for chicken, fish, eggs, or veggies.
-
Combine with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for a quick Asian-style broth.
-
Add to tomato sauce or canned diced tomatoes for extra savory flavor.
-
Mix with equal parts red wine for an easy cooking wine.
-
Whisk into mushroom duxelles or pâté for added umami.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless once you learn how to unleash the full flavor power of beef bouillon cubes. Just remember to start with hot water, use a 1:1 cube-to-water ratio, crush the cubes first, and stir constantly for smooth dissolution. Master this simple process, and you’ll be dissolving bouillon cubes like a pro in no time.
Bouillon Cubes Uses
People add bouillon cubes to curry, soup, stew, rice, and sauces like BBQ sauce to make them taste better and add more umami and spice. These cubes can also be dissolved in water to make broth. Some people grate the cubes to make a thick powder that can be mixed with popcorn or used to season food like salt. In fact, the powder that comes with instant ramen or in noodle soup cups is just a bouillon cube that has been broken up.
Varieties
There are a few different kinds of bouillon cubes, and each brand adds a different mix of spices to make the cubes their own. Other than the brands, the most common types of bouillon cubes are chicken, beef, vegetable, and lamb, though lamb isn’t used as much as the other three. Dehydrated meat from chicken, beef, and lamb are used to make bouillon. Often, dehydrated vegetables, spices, and MSG are also added. When making vegetable bouillon, no animal proteins are used. Instead, vegetables like celery, onions, and carrots are used.
HOW TO use HARD seasoning cubes PROPERLY | HOW TO use HARD bouillon cubes PROPERLY
FAQ
How to quickly dissolve a bouillon cube?
Do bouillon cubes dissolve in hot water?
Bouillon cubes typically dissolve in hot water within a few minutes, especially if the water is brought to a rolling boil before adding the cubes. Stir the cubes in the hot water until they are completely dissolved before using the beef broth in your recipes.
How to make beef stock out of Bouillon cubes?
There are a few methods you can use to make beef stock out of bouillon cubes. One option is to dissolve the bouillon cubes in hot water, then pour the stock into a pot and heat it until boiling. You can also place the bouillon cubes in a pot with cold water, then heat the water until boiling and simmer the cubes for about 15 minutes.
Can bouillon cubes be used as beef broth?
Stir the cubes until they are completely dissolved in the water. The bouillon cubes will dissolve faster if the water is at a rolling boil. Once the cubes are dissolved, you can use the beef broth immediately in your recipes, or you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.
How do you make beef broth with bouillon cubes?
Making beef broth with bouillon cubes is a quick and easy way to add delicious flavor to your soups, stews, and other dishes. To start, simply dissolve the bouillon cubes in hot water, and you have a base for beef broth that can be used in a variety of recipes. To make beef broth with bouillon cubes, begin by boiling 4 cups of water in a pot.