The Top 6 Alternatives to Beef Broth

Keeping a range of broths on hand, such as beef, chicken, and vegetable, is a sign of a well-stocked kitchen. These broths can be used in soups, casseroles, robust stews, and braises.

If you use beef broth frequently (or you’re a vegetarian and don’t use it at all), there are many substitutes that can offer the same delectable flavor. However, the richness of beef broth in particular may enhance a dish by adding just the right amount of savory and umami flavor.

Regaining those deep, meaty flavors in your meal doesn’t have to involve beef broth or even any meat at all; substitutes such as chicken broth, bouillon cubes, soy sauce, mushroom broth, and more. Make sure your dishes have the perfect amount of umami taste by checking out our list of the top 6 alternatives to beef broth.

1. Soy Sauce

Although soy sauce and beef broth don’t have exactly the same components, they do have one important flavor: umami. Soy sauce is a wonderful substitute for beef broth in recipes that call for extra salty and velvety flavor since it shares the same qualities that give umami to almost anything.

Add garlic, bay leaves, parsley, and other herbs and seasonings to soy sauce when using it as a beef broth substitute. Adjust as needed to ensure the flavor stays consistent.

2. Bouillon Cubes

You may substitute bouillon cubes for beef broth in any recipe that asks for it and still get the same flavor. You can use a 1:1 ratio when using bouillon, which means that for every cup of broth needed, use one cube dissolved in one cup of water.

However, don’t be afraid to add a little additional water to ensure that your finished dish isn’t a salt bomb because bouillon cubes are high in sodium and typically saltier than real broth.

3. Chicken Broth

You’ve just spared yourself a trip to the grocery store if you have an unopened package of chicken or vegetable broth in your pantry and you’re running low on beef broth. It is quite OK to substitute a different stock, such as chicken or vegetable, in smaller amounts for recipes that call for broth to add flavor and moisture without significantly changing the outcome.

4. Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is your go-to liquid if you need that umami boost but don’t have beef broth on hand. You may be used to seeing it used sparingly in some recipes. To obtain that meaty flavor when substituting Worcestershire sauce for beef broth, mix it into a cup of water or even a cup of vegetable broth.

5. Mushroom Broth

This is a great opportunity to learn about mushroom broth if you’ve never had some. This isn’t like other vegetable broths since the flavor of the mushroom broth is usually deeper and more umami, like to that of beef broth.

To prepare it at home, just add water, carrots, onions, seasonings, and dried or fresh mushrooms to a boiling pot. Simmer for around an hour. The flavor will be enhanced even further by adding red wine and soy sauce. If you use mushroom broth in place of beef broth, you might not even notice the difference.

6. Beer

While beer is frequently used to enhance the flavor of gravies and sauces, it also works well as a stand-in for beef broth in soups and stews. To make beef broth, dilute light or dark beer and add it to braises, stews, pan deglazes, and pretty much anything else that calls for beef broth.

Replace equal parts of beef broth with either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, but use caution near the heat if using ordinary beer because alcohol is flammable and you don’t want your meal to catch fire.

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