We keep broth, stock, and bouillon in our pantry all the time to make some of our favorite cold-weather dishes, like creamy risottos and comforting sauces. Along with being a liquid base, these ingredients give your dish a subtle flavor that doesn’t overpower the seasonings you choose. Since broth, stock, and bouillon are all used in cooking in similar ways, you might wonder if they are really the same thing or if there is a better one to use in a certain recipe.
If you’re a home cook and have ever forgotten to use beef broth in a recipe, don’t worry! You probably have a tasty substitute in your pantry. In soups, stews, gravies, and other dishes, beef bouillon cubes can be used instead of beef broth. Let’s explore when and how to swap them out.
Beef Broth vs. Bouillon Cubes
First. what’s the difference between beef broth and bouillon?
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Beef broth is made by simmering beef bones, meat and vegetables to extract flavor This liquid base provides a complex, authentic beef taste
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Beef bouillon cubes are condensed beef broth pressed into portable cubes. They contain broth solids as well as seasonings like salt, onions, and garlic.
While homemade beef broth has more flavor, bouillon cubes are easier to use, last longer, and are easier to carry. Most home cooks keep them stocked for a handy broth substitute.
How to Substitute Bouillon for Broth
Using beef bouillon in place of broth is quite simple:
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1 cube = 1 cup broth: Dissolve 1 bouillon cube in 1 cup hot water to equal 1 cup beef broth.
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Adjust amounts as needed: Double cubes and water for 2 cups broth, half portions for 1/2 cup, etc.
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Reduce added salt: Bouillon cubes contain salt already, so reduce any extra salt in the recipe.
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Simmer fully: Allow the cubes to dissolve and incorporate their flavors into the dish through simmering.
With just a few easy tweaks, beef broth can be replaced cup-for-cup with beef bouillon cubes in most recipes.
Recipe Ideas for Bouillon Cubes
Any recipe calling for beef broth can benefit from the bold umami flavor of beef bouillon cubes. Here are some classic dishes to try them in:
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Beef stew – Dissolve cubes in the broth amount before adding vegetables and meat.
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Pot roast – Use cubes to enhance the gravy’s savory flavor.
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French onion soup – Intensify the classically beefy taste with bouillon cubes.
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Beef chili – Allow cubes to meld into the tomato base for concentrated flavor.
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Beef curry – Bouillon’s seasoning blends nicely with aromatic spices.
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Beef barley soup – Nutty barley and tender beef pair perfectly with bouillon.
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Beef stroganoff – Bouillon cubes boost the flavor in the creamy sauce.
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Beef tacos – Add a little kick to the shredded meat filling with cubes.
So don’t hesitate to reach for those bouillon cubes the next time beef broth is required!
Handy Tips for Cooking with Bouillon
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Crumble cubes directly into stews or braises for even distribution.
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Store open cubes in a sealed container to prevent moisture absorption.
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Opt for low-sodium cubes to reduce overall salt content if needed.
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Use vegetable or chicken bouillon cubes for non-beef dishes.
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Add a splash of wine, tomato paste or Worcestershire sauce to rounded out flavor.
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For convenience, make bulk broth with cubes and freeze in batches.
Beef Bouillon Cube Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Offer concentrated, appetizing beef flavor
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Provide portability and convenience
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Require minimal prep work compared to broth
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Are budget-friendly and widely accessible
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Have a very long shelf life of over 1 year
Cons:
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Impart a more one-dimensional flavor than homemade broth
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Can oversalt a recipe if amounts aren’t adjusted
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May contain preservatives and additives to prolong shelf life
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Lack the gelatin content of bone-based broth for body
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Require hot water for dissolving unlike instant bouillon granules
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Here are some common ones about substituting bouillon for broth:
Can I use bouillon cubes in slow cooker recipes?
Absolutely! Just dissolve them in the amount of boiling water called for before adding to the slow cooker contents.
How should I store and handle bouillon cubes?
Store cubes in a cool, dry place sealed tightly. Handle them minimally to avoid damaging their structure before dissolving.
What’s the shelf life of bouillon cubes?
Unopened, bouillon cubes can keep over a year past the printed expiration date. Opened cubes maintain quality 2-3 months.
Can I use bouillon cubes in reduced sodium recipes?
Bouillon cubes are high in sodium, so opt for low-sodium versions or sodium-free broth alternatives instead.
What about substituting broth for cubes?
One cup of beef broth replaces 1 bouillon cube dissolved in one cup of water. Reduce added seasonings to account for broth flavors.
Time to Start Cooking!
Now that you know the ins and outs of substituting bouillon for broth, it’s time to start cooking! Whether making stew on a chilly night or whipping up quick tacos for dinner, let beef bouillon cubes infuse all your dishes with rich, savory goodness.
AUTHOR
Barbara Myers
Hey there, I’m Barbara – the recipe wizard, kitchen cleanup crew and taste tester extraordinaire here at Foodie Calls! If you can’t find me behind a mountain of pots and pans, I’m out shopping for exciting new ingredients to experiment with. I love taking classic comfort dishes and giving them a delicious, fun twist. When I’m not cooking up a storm, you can find me outdoors kayaking, biking or just soaking up the sun. Let’s chat about favorite recipes, go-to kitchen tools and easy family meals! I’m always hungry to swap cooking stories.
What is the difference between bouillon and broth?
Let’s start with the simplest of the trio to distinguish: bouillon and broth. What is “bouillon”? It’s the French word for “broth” that has been dried out and turned into a powder or cube.
Bouillon is typically used as a time-saving substitute for a made-from-scratch liquid broth. The flavor of bouillon can be very different depending on what’s in its dehydrated base. This can be vegetables or meats like chicken, beef, or lamb. Bouillon can also be seasoned with a wide variety of spices and herbs.
If you boil one cup of water and add one bouillon cube or a teaspoon of bouillon powder, you get one cup of broth. You can also add bouillon cubes or powder directly to soups, stews, sauces, and curries and melt them in to make them taste better and thicker. Some chefs also like to sprinkle bouillon powder or grated bouillon cubes on food as a seasoning salt to give it a boost of umami-driven flavor.
