What’s Really in Your Chicken Broth? A Deep Dive into Common Ingredients

As a passionate home cook and recipe developer, I’m always trying to make meals from scratch using wholesome ingredients. So when a recipe calls for chicken broth, I used to just grab a carton or can from the grocery store without thinking twice But the more I learned about the additives and preservatives commonly found in packaged foods, the more curious I became about what was actually going into those ready-made broths

I decided to dig deeper to find out what’s really inside store-bought chicken broth and how it compares to homemade, Here’s what I uncovered in my ingredient investigation,

Common Ingredients in Store-Bought Chicken Broth

When you check the label on a box or can of chicken broth, the ingredients list can be pretty baffling. Here are some of the most prevalent items:

Chicken broth

Yes, you read that right. Many big brands of chicken broth list “chicken broth” as the first ingredient. Essentially, commercial broth starts with a highly concentrated chicken broth that is produced by large manufacturers like Symrise and Essentia Protein Solutions. This concentrated “base” broth is then diluted with water and customized with extra ingredients at the request of companies like Progresso and Swanson.

Water

Some broths do list water as the first ingredient, but it is nearly always followed by some form of concentrated chicken broth. The water dilutes the ultra-concentrated base down to normal broth consistency.

Salt

Salt is almost always prominent on the label, which adds flavor and acts as a preservative. Some broths contain more than 25% of your daily recommended sodium per serving.

Yeast extract

This umami-rich ingredient amps up the savory flavor of broth. It is made by autolyzing yeast, which breaks down the yeast cells to release amino acids, nucleotides, and other compounds.

Vegetable flavors

Ingredients like “natural carrot flavor” or “celery extract” boost the flavor without having to use actual veggies. This allows companies to cut costs while still delivering the expected taste.

Fat

Chicken fat adds mouthfeel and richness to broth. It also carries the flavorful fat-soluble compounds found in chicken meat and bones.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

MSG is a controversial flavor enhancer that excites our tastebuds. Some brands feature it prominently on their labels, while others hide it within ingredients like “yeast extract.”

Caramel color

Added primarily for aesthetic purposes, this dark caramelized sugar gives broth a rich golden hue. Caramel color has faced scrutiny for containing low levels of a potential carcinogen called 4-MEI.

The Differences Between Store-Bought and Homemade Chicken Broth

Clearly, commercial broth contains a lot more than just chicken and water. Here are some of the main differences I’ve noticed between packaged and homemade versions:

• Gelatin content: The collagen from chicken bones gives homemade broth a silky texture and allows it to gel when chilled. Store-bought broth has negligible gelatin due to lower bone content.

• Intensity of flavor: Packaged broth tastes flat and one-dimensional compared to the complex depth of homemade. Real chicken and bones provide superior aroma and taste.

• Nutrient content: Homemade broth made from whole chickens contains nutrients like chondroitin sulfate, glycosamine, minerals from the bones, and compounds that reduce inflammation. Store-bought lacks these health benefits.

• Cooking properties: Only real broth made with bones produces a nutritious, flavorful liquid when reduced. Commercial broth simply turns salty and loses body when cooked down.

• Cost: Though not everyone has time to make DIY broth, it is much cheaper than buying ready-made. Each batch replaces multiple cartons for a fraction of the price.

What Goes Into Making Homemade Chicken Broth

After learning what goes into commercial broth, I’m even more convinced that homemade is the way to go. Here are the simple wholesome ingredients I use for mine:

• Chicken carcass and bones
• Water
• Vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and herbs
• Peppercorns and bay leaves
• Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

That’s it – no MSG, artificial flavors, or additives required! The collagen and minerals from the bones, combined with the vegetables and seasoning, produce a light but intensely flavored broth.

Making your own broth only requires 30 minutes of active prep time. Then simply let it simmer on the stove or in a slow cooker for 3-4 hours while you go about your day.

The Bottom Line

While packaged chicken broth offers convenience for busy home cooks, its ingredient list leaves much to be desired. Alternatives made from whole food ingredients are more nutritious, customizeable, and capture the satisfying essence of real chicken. Though it requires some active time up front, the ease of use and freezer-friendliness make homemade chicken broth well worth the effort. Give it a try in your kitchen and taste the difference!

Chicken broth is typically made by simmering chicken, vegetables, and herbs in water. The chicken, including bones and meat, is the primary ingredient, and it’s often combined with vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, along with herbs such as parsley, thyme, and bay leaf.

Yes, chicken broth can be a nutritious and beneficial addition to your diet.