How Many Cups are in a Carton of Chicken Broth? A Complete Breakdown

Chicken broth is a pantry staple used in everything from soups and stews to gravies and sauces. Its savory umami flavor builds depth of taste in any dish. But when a recipe calls for chicken broth, how much should you use from the carton? Let’s break down exactly how many cups are in a standard chicken broth carton.

The Typical Chicken Broth Carton Size

The most common size for a cardboard carton of chicken broth is 32 oz. This usually contains 4 cups of broth, with each cup measuring 8 oz.

Some other standard sizes are

• 16 oz carton – 2 cups
• 64 oz carton – 8 cups

So a 32 oz or quart size carton equals 4 cups of chicken broth. Knowing this standard carton size makes scaling recipes easy.

Factors That Affect Cups per Carton

However there are a few factors that can change the cups per carton ratio

Broth Type

• Low sodium chicken broth – May contain less cups per carton since salt adds flavor and the low sodium version isn’t as concentrated.

• Organic/free-range chicken broth – More expensive so may have fewer cups per carton.

• Bone broth – Much more gelatinous so thicker than regular broth. Contains less cups per carton.

Carton Size

Larger or smaller cartons than the typical 32 oz size will change the number of cups:

• 8 oz carton – 1 cup
• 16 oz carton – 2 cups
• 64 oz carton – 8 cups

Brand

Different brands have slightly different cup measurements per carton. Check the label to be sure.

Tips for Cooking with Cartons of Chicken Broth

Now that you know approximately how many cups are in a chicken broth carton, here are some tips for using it:

• Read the label – Don’t assume there are 4 cups per quart. Confirm cups for exact recipes.

• Measure correctly – Use a dry measuring cup, not a liquid cup. Scoop and level off.

• Store properly – Keep unopened cartons in the pantry up to a year. Opened, refrigerate 3-5 days.

• Freeze extras – Freeze unused chicken broth in ice cube trays or muffin tins then pop out to store.

• Enhance flavor – Simmer with aromatics like garlic, onions, carrots. Add herbs and white wine.

• Dilute if needed – For milder broth, dilute with water to stretch quantity.

Chicken Broth Uses

The versatility of chicken broth makes it an essential for cooking. Here are some of the many uses:

Soups

Chicken broth is the base of most chicken soups. Simmer chopped vegetables, chicken, and seasonings for hearty chicken noodle or chicken tortilla soup.

Sauces and Gravies

Deglaze a pan with chicken broth after cooking meat or veggies. Simmer to reduce and thicken into flavorful pan sauces and gravies.

Risottos

For risotto, use chicken broth to add savory flavor as you slowly stir in the liquid to let the rice absorb it.

Cooking Grains

Cook rice, quinoa or other grains in chicken broth instead of water for added taste.

Stews and Chili

Chicken broth builds a flavor foundation for beef stew, chicken stew, and chili.

Deglazing

After roasting or sauteing, deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken broth to pick up brown bits.

Casseroles

For comforting casseroles like chicken pot pie or green bean casserole, use chicken broth in the sauce.

Steaming and Poaching

Lightly steam or poach chicken, fish or veggies in chicken broth for moistness and flavor.

Marinades and Brines

Soak meats in a chicken broth marinade before cooking for extra juiciness.

Substituting Chicken Broth in Recipes

Don’t have chicken broth on hand? You can substitute with these options:

• Vegetable broth
• Beef broth
• Mushroom broth or stock
• Water + chicken bouillon powder/paste
• Diluted juices like white wine, lemon juice, vinegar

For vegetarian recipes, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Beef broth also works well in hearty dishes.

Making Homemade Chicken Broth

While store-bought cartons are convenient, homemade broth tastes exceptional. To make:

• Simmer chicken bones/carcass + water for 2+ hours with veggies and seasonings
• Skim foam, strain through cheesecloth into containers
• Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze

The gelatin in bones gives homemade broth body and a silky mouthfeel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common chicken broth questions:

How long does broth last in the fridge?
Up to 5 days in a sealed container.

Can you freeze chicken broth?
Yes, freeze broth in muffin tins or bags up to 3 months.

What’s the difference between stock and broth?
Stock is made from bones while broth uses meat as well. Broth is thinner, stock more viscous.

Is chicken broth gluten free?
Most are gluten free but check labels for thickeners like wheat flour.

Can you substitute stock for broth?
Yes, you can substitute chicken stock for broth, or vice versa, in most recipes.

Conclusion

Now you know the standard chicken broth carton contains about 4 cups. But check packaging as amounts can vary slightly by brand and broth type. Properly stored broth can be kept on hand for convenience in cooking. With its rich, savory flavor, chicken broth builds depth of taste in everything from soups to stews, making it a versatile kitchen staple.