SaucepanLog inDownload

Chicken or beef broth substitute

Sauces, wine and pantry liquids · Checked against 3 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Dissolve 1 bouillon cube, or 1 teaspoon of powdered broth base, in 1 cup of boiling water. Bouillon is saltier than most boxed broth, so taste before you add salt. Check labels if you need vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. Bouillon cubes and bases vary in salt, so season at the end.

How much do you need?

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

What to use

  1. Bouillon cube

      • 1 bouillon cube
      • 1 cup 235 g boiling water
      Best for
      Soups, rice, gravies.
      What changes
      Saltier and flatter than homemade stock.
      Skip it when
      Recipes where broth is the star, like consommé.

    • Powdered broth base

        • 1 tsp 5 ml powdered broth base
        • 1 cup 235 g boiling water
        Best for
        Everyday cooking.
        What changes
        Same.

      Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

      Which swap for which job

      UsePickWhy
      Soup and riceBouillonEverything seasons around it.

      Do not substitute here

      • Low-sodium diets. Bouillon. It is salty.

      Questions

      Is bouillon vegan?

      Some are. Check the label.

      Sources

      Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.