Finding Beef Base at the Grocery Store

Beef base is an indispensible ingredient for adding rich, meaty flavor to soups stews, gravies and more. But this flavor powerhouse can be tricky to locate at the grocery store if you don’t know where to look. Let’s explore the different forms beef base comes in and the best places to find it.

What is Beef Base?

Beef base, also known as beef soup base or beef concentrate is a highly concentrated form of beef stock. It has an intense beef flavor and comes in liquid paste, or granule form.

The purpose of beef base is to quickly infuse recipes with bold beef taste without thinning the consistency by adding extra liquids. Just a teaspoon or two of beef base can make a big flavor impact.

Beef Base Forms

Beef base comes in three main forms:

• Liquid – A thick, syrupy liquid often in a squeezable bottle. Made by reducing beef stock.

• Paste – A concentrated paste in a jar. Has a texture like tomato paste.

• Powder – Dehydrated granules of beef base that can be mixed with water to form a liquid.

Liquid and paste forms are the most versatile to cook with. Powder needs to be reconstituted first.

Where to Find Beef Base at the Grocery Store

Beef base can be found in a few key areas of the grocery store:

The Soup Aisle

The most obvious spot to look for beef base is in the soup aisle. Here you’ll find:

• Cans or cartons of liquid beef base from brands like College Inn, Kitchen Basics, and Better Than Bouillon.

• Jars of beef base paste from brands like Home Base and Savory Choice.

• Boxes of powdered beef base like McCormick’s.

This aisle has the widest selection of beef base types and brands. Prices range from $2 to $5.

The Spice Section

Another place to find beef base is in the spice section, often near the soup powders and bouillon cubes.

Look for:

• Jars of beef base paste tucked among the spices.

• Envelopes or canisters of powdered beef base mix.

Selection is more limited than the soup aisle but still worth checking.

The Canned Meat Area

Some grocery stores stock beef base options in the canned meat section near Spam, canned beef, and Vienna sausages.

Here you’ll find:

• Cans of concentrated beef broth or stock.

• Jars of beef bouillon paste.

Not all stores organize this way but can be a good spot to check.

The Ethnic Food Aisle

International aisles stock flavors from around the world, including:

• Chinese – Lee Kum Kee Beef Broth Concentrate

• Thai – Lobo Beef Flavor Enhancer

• Mexican – Knorr Caldo de Res Beef Concentrate

Great for region-specific recipes.

How to Substitute Beef Base

If you can’t find beef base, try these easy subs:

• Beef broth – Use twice the amount of broth as you would base.

• Bouillon cubes – Dissolve 2 cubes in 1 cup hot water to replace 1 tablespoon paste.

• Steak sauce – Adds savory depth. Use 1 teaspoon per 1 teaspoon base.

• Soy sauce – 1 tablespoon provides umami flavor like 1 teaspoon base.

• Tomato paste – Adds thick richness. Use 1 teaspoon per 1 tablespoon base.

How to Make Your Own Beef Base

You can easily make beef base at home with just beef bones, vegetables, and water:

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs beef marrow bones
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions:

1. Roast bones at 400°F for 30 minutes.

2. Add bones and remaining ingredients to a pot. Simmer for 8-10 hours.

3. Strain and reduce liquid until thickened to a paste.

4. Use immediately or freeze for later.

Homemade keeps for 5 days refrigerated or 6 months frozen.

How to Use Beef Base

A little beef base goes a long way. Start with small amounts and adjust to taste:

• Soups – 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of soup

• Stews – 1 to 2 teaspoons per stew recipe

• Gravies – 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of gravy

• Casserole – 1 teaspoon mixed into ground beef

• Rice/grains – 1/2 teaspoon stirred into cooking water

• Marinades – 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per pound of meat

Beef base adds big meaty flavor fast without extra volume. It’s ideal for recipes where you want rich taste without thinning the consistency.

Storing and Handling Beef Base

To retain freshness and flavor, store and handle beef base properly:

• Refrigerate after opening.

• Use within 4-6 months for best quality.

• Keep paste and powder forms dry.

• Freeze extras in recipe-sized portions.

• Simmer liquid to enhance flavor before using.

With the right storage and handling, beef base stays tasty for many uses.

Is Beef Base Worth Buying?

For home cooks looking to easily add bold beefy flavor to dishes, beef base is absolutely worth buying instead of making stock from scratch. The concentrated flavor in a teaspoon of beef base would take cups of regular beef broth to achieve.

Though it costs a bit more than plain broth, a jar or bottle of beef base lasts a long time in the fridge or freezer thanks to its concentrated form. A little goes a long way, making it a smart investment for anyone who regularly cooks with beef.

Armed with the knowledge of where to find beef base at the store and how to use it, you can enhance soups, stews, casseroles and more with huge beef flavor fast. Just a spoonful of this meaty magic can take your cooking up a notch.