The chicken stock concentrate is a versatile ingredient made by reducing the liquid left after boiling chicken bones with vegetables, spices, and salt. It has a salty and rich flavor that adds a ton of depth to soups, stews, sauces, and pasta dishes.
So, what’s the best chicken stock concentrate substitute? The best chicken stock concentrate substitute is chicken stock. In fact, the chicken stock concentrate is just reduced chicken stock. Other substitutes for concentrated chicken stock are bone broth, gravy granules, vegetable stock, salt and spices, stock cubes, beer, wine, and beef stock.
Whether you forgot to buy chicken stock concentrate or are on a vegan or vegetarian diet, there are many ingredients you can use instead. Keep reading to learn what ingredients you can use to substitute chicken stock concentrate in recipes.
What can You use in Place of Chicken Stock Concentrate?
The best substitutes for chicken stock concentrate include homemade chicken stock, beef stock, vegetable stock, bone broth, stock cubes, gravy granules, salt and spices, beer, wine, and water and butter. These substitutes have a similar flavor and can be used instead of chicken stock concentrate to add depth to recipes.
6 Best Chicken Stock Concentrate Substitutes
There are many ingredients that have a similar flavor to chicken stock concentrate, and you can use it instead of chicken stock concentrate in recipes.
1. Homemade Chicken Stock
Chicken stock is a thick liquid made by simmering chicken bones, onions, carrots, celery, peppercorns, bay leaves, and parsley stems in water for 4 to 6 hours. Fresh chicken stock has a thicker consistency than chicken broth, which is made mostly from chicken meat and vegetables.
The chicken stock concentrate is, in fact, a concentrated chicken stock. This makes chicken stock an excellent substitute for chicken stock concentrate in any recipe.
When using chicken stock as a substitute for chicken stock concentrate don’t add more water to your recipe or it will become too watery.
2. Vegetable Stock
Vegetable stock is a vegan substitute for chicken stock concentrate. It’s often made with a base of carrots, onions, celery, parsley, and various herbs.
The vegetable stock has a nice and balanced flavor that makes a great base for vegetable soups, risotto, or other vegan dishes. Buy vegetable stock in any supermarket or make one at home using fresh vegetables or vegetable leftovers and pieces.
3. Bone Broth
Bone broth is a popular, collagen-rich, and nutrient-dense liquid with numerous health benefits. This nutritious liquid is made by simmering animal bones, usually chicken or beef, and is used in soups, stews, and sauces, or consumed plain, as it is.
Bone broth is an excellent substitute for chicken stock concentrate and will add flavor and saltness to your recipe. Since bone broth has a watery consistency, it may dilute the consistency of your dish.
4. Gravy Granules
Gravy granules are granulated powder that is mixed with water to create a gravy. They come in a variety of flavors, such as vegetable and chicken, and are a suitable substitute for chicken stock concentrate.
Salty and flavorful, gravy granules contain a thickening agent and will thicken your dish. Mix gravy granules with boiling water and stir continuously until you get a smooth and thick gravy, which you’ll substitute for chicken stock concentrate in recipes.
5. Stock Cubes
Stock cubes, also known as broth cubes or bouillon cubes are made from dehydrated meat or vegetable stock, fat, salt, MSG, and seasonings. A stock cube has a very long shelf life and is a great replacement for chicken stock concentrate in recipes.
Stock cubes are very easy to use. Add one stock cube to boiling water and stir until it dissolves completely. As an alternative, you can crumble a stock cube directly into the dish to add flavor and saltiness.
6. Beef Stock
Beef stock is another suitable substitute for chicken stock extract. It’s made by simmering beef bones, vegetables, and spices in water for several hours. The beef stock has a heavier and fattier flavor than chicken stock concentrate, which makes it perfect for adding depth to stews.
Since the beef stock has a more intensive flavor than chicken stock concentrate, use it in a ½:1 ratio to replace chicken stock concentrate in recipes.
Can I use Chicken Broth Instead of Chicken Stock Concentrate?
Yes, you can substitute chicken broth for chicken stock concentrate in recipes. Chicken broth is made from chicken bones, meat, and vegetables which are simmered for 1 or 2 hours.
Chicken broth has a thinner consistency than chicken stock but is more flavorful. Use chicken broth as a substitute for chicken stock concentrate when making soups, stews, and gravy, or when cooking grains like rice or pasta.
Is Better Than Bouillon the same as Chicken Stock Concentrate?
No, Better Than Bouillon isn’t the same as chicken stock concentrate. Better Than Bouillon is a concentrated food base made from cooked and pureed meat and vegetables.
This concentrated paste can be diluted in boiling water and used to add flavor to marinades, glazes, stews, soups, sides, and slow cooker dishes.
The chicken stock concentrate is a type of reduction made by boiling the chicken stock down to a much thicker liquid. It has an intense flavor that adds depth to soups, stews, slow cooker meals, and sauces.
Conclusion
The chicken stock concentrate is the reduced liquid left after boiling down chicken stock. This commonly used and versatile ingredient has a long shelf life and can add flavor to many dishes.
Use chicken stock concentrate to add depth and flavor to soups, stews, sauces, gravies, marinades, and slow cooker dishes. The chicken stock concentrate is available in most grocery stores and you can also make it at home by boiling down homemade chicken stock.
However, if you don’t have chicken stock concentrate at hand, there are many ingredients you can use instead. The best substitutes for chicken stock concentrate are chicken stock, bone broth, beef stock, vegetable stock, gravy granules, salt and spices, stock cubes, wine, beer, Japanese dashi, and water and butter.
Related Articles: