14 Flavorful Alternatives When You’re Out of Chicken Broth

Chicken broth forms the savory backbone of many soups, stews, and sauces, enriching dishes with deep flavor.

When chicken broth isn’t available, vegetable broth, bouillon cubes, or homemade stocks can serve as excellent replacements.

Some alternatives fit better depending on the recipe’s dietary requirements or taste preferences.

With fourteen versatile chicken broth substitutes at your disposal, you’ll never be caught unprepared.

Managing salt content and seasoning nuances ensures your dish stays balanced and delicious.

Whether simmering a hearty stew or preparing a delicate sauce, these options keep flavors robust.

Learn how to make seamless swaps and maintain rich, satisfying meals.

What Chicken Broth Contributes in Recipes

Chicken broth adds depth, moisture, and a savory backbone to all kinds of recipes. It brings a gentle richness that enhances the natural flavor of other ingredients without overpowering them.

In soups and stews, it creates a well-rounded base that ties everything together. When used in grains like rice or quinoa, it adds more flavor than water alone. It also helps keep meats juicy during roasting or braising.

Whether used as a cooking liquid, simmer base, or splash of flavor, chicken broth brings warmth, body, and a satisfying, homey taste to both simple and layered dishes.

Reasons to Use Chicken Broth Swaps

• Dietary restrictions: Some diets avoid meat or animal products, so swaps help keep recipes plant-based or allergy-friendly.
• Low-sodium needs: Many store-bought broths are high in salt, and substitutes allow better control over seasoning.
• Budget-friendly cooking: Homemade or basic swaps often cost less and stretch ingredients further.
• Health goals: Some alternatives offer less fat or more nutrients, supporting lighter or more balanced meals.

What to Swap Chicken Broth With

Chicken broth substitutes provide savory depth and umami richness to soups, sauces, and grains. Several options maintain comforting flavor. Plenty of broth alternatives can fit your cooking needs.

Chicken Stock

Chicken stock and chicken broth, though often confused, have distinct characteristics that set them apart in cooking applications.

The main difference lies in their preparation - broth comes from simmering meat with vegetables and seasonings, while stock results from cooking bones, giving it a thicker consistency due to natural gelatin content.

Most recipes allow for equal substitution between the two, with a simple 1:1 ratio working perfectly in soups and stews without noticeable differences.

The thickness of stock might actually enhance your dishes with added richness and depth of flavor compared to broth.

Some chefs even prefer stock for its more concentrated taste profile and the nutritional benefits from bone-derived compounds.

Chicken Bouillon Cubes/Granules

Chicken bouillon cubes serve as an essential pantry staple that can rescue your recipes when fresh broth isn't available.

These compact flavor bombs, available in both cube and granular forms, offer remarkable shelf stability while delivering that savory chicken taste when needed most.

The process couldn't be simpler - just dissolve one cube (or a teaspoon of granules) in eight ounces of hot water to replace each cup of chicken broth in your recipe.

For maximum flavor development, make sure the bouillon cooks for at least ten minutes when added directly to recipes containing liquid.

My personal approach involves dissolving a single cube in hot water first, ensuring the flavor distributes evenly throughout whatever delicious dish I'm preparing.

Vegetable Stock

Vegetable stock stands out as the top substitute for chicken broth, offering vegetarians and health-conscious cooks a flavorful alternative without sacrificing taste.

Making your own stock at home requires just a few ingredients - water, vegetables, and garlic - with leftover peels, skins, and slightly wilted produce working perfectly for this purpose.

Many people collect these scraps in the freezer until they have enough to make a full batch.

Store-bought options save time but often contain high sodium levels, so checking labels before purchasing makes sense for those watching their salt intake.

The mild, versatile flavor of vegetable stock complements most recipes without overwhelming other ingredients, making it an excellent choice for soups, stews, and sauces.

For the best results, simply use vegetable stock in equal measurements to replace chicken broth in any recipe.

Ramen Noodle Packets

Chicken broth substitutes can be hiding in your pantry right now, with those neglected ramen noodle packets serving as the perfect replacement in a pinch.

The flavor packet inside contains a concentrated blend of herbs and spices that mimics the savory taste of traditional broth beautifully.

Before adding this substitute to your recipe, try dissolving one packet in 1 to 1½ cups of hot water and taste-test it first to gauge the intensity.

From there, you can adjust with more water if the flavor seems too strong for your dish.

The ratio works out simply- just use 1 cup of your ramen broth mixture to replace each cup of chicken broth called for in any recipe.

Beef Broth

Substituting beef broth for chicken broth can truly elevate your dishes with its bold, rich flavor that adds depth most people don't expect.

The key difference lies in beef broth's more robust taste profile, making it perfect for hearty meals like stews, chili, and gravies where that extra punch really shines.

For best results, consider diluting it slightly with water- about 1 cup broth plus 1/4 cup water- to maintain control over the intensity and saltiness level in more delicate recipes.

Many people swear by this simple 1:1 substitution trick when they run out of chicken broth or just want to experiment with new flavor combinations.

Even soups that traditionally call for chicken broth can benefit from this swap, especially during colder months when we all crave something more substantial and warming.

Aquafaba

Aquafaba, the liquid left after cooking chickpeas or legumes, is a remarkable substitute for vegans who need alternatives in their cooking.

Most cooks prefer using the liquid from canned chickpeas because it closely matches the consistency of chicken broth when drained properly.

Due to its higher starch content, the liquid should be diluted with equal parts water before use in recipes.

Extra herbs and spices are necessary since aquafaba lacks the robust flavor profile found in traditional chicken broth.

For best results, simply replace one cup of chicken broth with a mixture of half a cup aquafaba and half a cup water in your favorite dishes.

Miso

Miso paste offers a fantastic alternative to chicken broth with its salty, umami-rich flavor profile that enhances dishes effortlessly.

Light miso works best for beginners since darker varieties deliver stronger tastes that might overwhelm those not accustomed to this Japanese staple.

For a perfect substitution, simply mix 1 tablespoon of light miso paste with 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and 1 cup of water or vegetable stock to replace chicken broth in equal amounts.

The paste needs dilution before use, so starting with half a tablespoon per cup of water gives you room to adjust according to your taste preferences.

Adding miso only during the final minutes of cooking preserves its beneficial properties and ensures you get the most from this versatile ingredient.

Water

Chicken broth substitution is incredibly easy when you simply use water in a pinch.

Most home cooks have water readily available, making it the most convenient replacement when your recipe calls for broth.

The liquid provides the same consistency even though it lacks the rich flavor profile of traditional chicken stock.

Adding extra herbs, spices, and seasonings can help compensate for the missing taste elements in your soup or sauce.

Some cooks enhance their dishes with additional chicken pieces or vegetables to build deeper flavors naturally.

For perfect results, just remember the straightforward 1:1 ratio- one cup of water replaces one cup of chicken broth in any recipe.

Butter and Water

Butter-infused water offers a surprisingly effective substitute for chicken broth when you're in a pinch.

For those who find plain water too boring, adding melted salted butter creates a richer base that mimics some qualities of traditional broth.

The salt and fat from butter provide depth and savory notes that regular water lacks, making it suitable for cooking grains like rice or pasta where subtle flavoring is all you need.

This simple mixture works as a 1:1 replacement – just combine one tablespoon of melted butter with each cup of hot water and use it exactly as you would chicken broth.

However, this substitute isn't ideal for recipes like hearty soups or complex stews where the distinct chicken flavor plays a more central role in the dish's character.

White Wine

Substitution allows cooks to swap ingredients when facing shortages, with white wine being a fantastic chicken broth replacement that adds complex flavors to your dishes.

When recipes call for less than half a cup of broth, this alternative works beautifully, though larger amounts might create an unbalanced taste profile.

Many dishes already include white wine, making this swap a natural extension of cooking techniques that chefs have used for generations.

The alcohol content remains unless properly boiled off, so this substitute works best in recipes that reach high temperatures rather than those that merely simmer.

For perfect results, simply combine one tablespoon of olive oil with one cup of dry white wine to create a 1:1 replacement for chicken broth in soups, sauces, and other savory creations.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk offers vegans and dairy-free eaters a tasty alternative to chicken broth, bringing a tropical twist to many dishes while maintaining that desired creaminess.

Soy sauce mixed with coconut milk (one tablespoon per cup) creates a perfect 1:1 replacement that captures savory notes missing from coconut milk alone.

This combination works wonderfully in curries and certain soups where the subtle sweetness complements rather than competes with other flavors.

Not all recipes benefit from this substitution, especially traditional brothy dishes like Coq au Vin which rely on chicken broth's distinctive flavor profile.

Most Asian-inspired recipes welcome this substitute particularly well, as the coconut-soy blend enhances existing flavor profiles without overwhelming them.

Dashi

Substituting dashi for chicken broth can elevate your Asian-inspired dishes with its rich umami flavor profile.

This Japanese stock, crafted from kombu seaweed and bonito flakes, delivers a distinctive taste that chicken broth simply cannot match.

For best results, gradually dilute dashi powder in water until you achieve your preferred flavor intensity, typically using about half the amount called for in recipes that specify chicken broth.

The fishy undertone might not complement meat-centered dishes, so consider using this substitution primarily in soups, noodle dishes, and vegetable-forward recipes where seafood notes would enhance rather than clash with other ingredients.

Anyone can experiment with this simple swap at home by mixing a small pinch of dashi powder into a cup of water and adjusting to taste before incorporating it into your cooking.

Chicken Broth Concentrate

Chicken broth concentrate is a perfect kitchen staple, offering a space-saving solution with impressive shelf life for home cooks everywhere.

This powerful flavor booster functions as an ideal chicken broth alternative when you're in a pinch or looking to enhance dishes without keeping cartons in the fridge.

Different brands require specific dilution ratios, so always check the bottle instructions first before adding to your recipes.

For best results, simply follow the package guidelines and adjust to your taste preferences until the flavor matches what your dish needs.

Substitution couldn't be easier - after proper dilution, just use the concentrate in a straightforward 1:1 ratio, replacing each cup of regular broth with a cup of your prepared concentrate solution.

Mushroom Broth

Mushroom broth stands out as the perfect plant-based alternative to chicken broth, offering rich, earthy flavors without any creamy texture.

Many cooks appreciate how this nutritious substitute adds remarkable depth to soups, stews, and sauces while keeping dishes completely vegan.

The replacement ratio couldn't be simpler - just add one teaspoon of soy sauce to each cup of mushroom broth, then use it in equal measure to replace chicken broth in any recipe.

People who enjoy mushrooms will particularly love this swap, as it captures that wonderful umami quality that makes dishes taste satisfying and complex.

Those with an aversion to mushrooms should probably look elsewhere for their broth substitutions.

Tips for Umami-Boosted Swaps of Chicken Broth

Check out these friendly tips for making chicken broth swaps that still give your dish that rich, savory umami flavor:

• Add a splash of soy sauce or tamari for deep, salty richness; just a little can go a long way.
• Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste to build body and a subtle tang that mimics slow-cooked flavor.
• Simmer dried mushrooms or use mushroom soaking water for a natural, earthy depth.
• Toss in a bit of nutritional yeast to add a cheesy, nutty layer that boosts savory notes.
• Include a dash of miso paste for instant umami and mellow saltiness in soups or stews.
• Roast or sauté veggies first before adding liquid to bring out deeper flavor in plant-based broths.
• Use aromatics like garlic, onion, and herbs to round out the flavor and keep the broth tasting full and balanced.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Chicken Broth Swaps

When using chicken broth substitutes, it’s easy to run into a few common mistakes. Adding too much salt too early can throw off the balance, especially if the substitute already contains salty ingredients like soy sauce or miso.

Skipping aromatics such as onion, garlic, or herbs may leave the broth tasting flat. Some swaps have strong flavors that don’t match every dish, so it’s important to choose one that fits the recipe’s mood.

Liquid consistency also matters. Some substitutes may need to be diluted or reduced. Letting the broth simmer helps build depth, while using sweet or flavored liquids by accident can clash with savory dishes.