Making Substitutions in Your Favorite Recipes: How Many Beef Bouillon Cubes Equals 2 Tablespoons?

As a home cook I’m constantly tweaking recipes to work with the ingredients I have on hand. One common substitution I make is swapping beef bouillon cubes for liquid broth or stock. But how many cubes do you need to equal the right amount of liquid? Good question!

When a recipe calls for broth or stock, those 2 tablespoons can really make a difference in flavor. But keeping cartons of beef broth in the fridge isn’t always practical. That’s where bouillon cubes come in so handy! Let’s look at how to convert amounts to get the best results.

Equivalents Between Bouillon Cubes and Broth

Here’s a quick rundown of the basic substitutions:

• 1 beef bouillon cube = 1 teaspoon instant bouillon granules

• 1 cube = about 1 tablespoon broth or stock

So for 2 tablespoons of liquid called for in a recipe, you’ll need approximately:

• 2 beef bouillon cubes

Of course, brands and cube sizes vary slightly. On average, one bouillon cube equals about 15 mL or 1 tablespoon of liquid broth. Many cubes weigh around 8-10 grams.

When in doubt, I prefer using a bit more cubes rather than less for maximum flavor impact. Dissolve the cubes thoroughly in the liquid called for in the recipe.

Handy Tips for Cooking with Bouillon Cubes

Bouillon cubes are great for adding rich, savory flavor when you don’t have homemade broth available. Here are some of my best tips for cooking with them:

• Crush or dissolve the cubes fully to avoid unpleasant chunks.

• For a smoother consistency, dissolve cubes in warm liquid or cook them directly in a soup or sauce.

• Use cube flavors complement the dish – beef for stews, chicken for rice, vegetable for veggie sides, etc.

• Reduce any additional salt until after cubing the broth to adjust seasoning.

• For a low-sodium option, use only half a cube per 1 cup of water.

• Add extra cubes or broth as needed throughout the cooking process to boost flavor.

• Substitute better-than-bouillon paste for an option without MSG or preservatives.

• Make your own homemade broth and freeze in ice cube trays for easy use.

Get Creative with Bouillon Cubes in the Kitchen

Besides substituting for broth in savory dishes, bouillon cubes can also enhance flavor in other creative ways. Here are some ideas to try:

• Add a beef cube to the water when cooking rice or quinoa for extra savory notes.

• Use crushed cubes combined with flour or cornstarch to coat meat before browning.

• Toss vegetables with a little oil and bouillon cubes before roasting.

• Make a quick broth for cooking grains by simmering cubes in water with herbs.

• Mix a cube into bread or pizza dough for a boost of umami.

• Make bouillon butter by blending cubes with softened butter to top steaks or veggies.

• Add a cube to pancake or waffle batter for a savory breakfast.

• Blend cubes with olive oil and vinegar for a speedy salad dressing base.

With this handy conversion in mind next time your recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of broth, you’ll know just how many bouillon cubes to use. Keep a stash of cubes in your pantry, and you’ll always be ready to insert rich, beefy flavor into soups, stews, grains and more dishes. Get creative with bouillon cubes to simplify cooking and add oomph to any dish.