Best Chicken Broth Substitute + 9 More Alternatives

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Last Updated on February 5, 2023 by Toya

Check out the best chicken broth substitute plus 9 other amazing ways to substitute for chicken broth in a pinch. 

chicken broth substitute

Chicken broth is used to add flavor to in many recipes. It is made with chicken, onions, celery, and carrots. If you’re making a recipe that calls for chicken broth, but you have none, you may be wondering what yu can use instead. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of chicken broth alternatives you can use instead. Chicken stock and beef stock for instance can be used as quick alternatives. If you need a vegetarian option, vegetable stock, dashi, and even water with seasoning can all be used as chicken broth substitutes. 

Below I will take a closer look at alternatives for recipes with chicken broth. 

Common ways to substitute for chicken broth

Chicken Stock

chicken stock

If you do not have chicken broth but do have chicken stock it can be used as a substitute. There is not a vast difference between the two. The chicken stock is a bit thicker and can be diluted if needed. 

Chicken stock will be a good substitute for any recipe as a direct 1-to-1 replacement. 

Vegetable Stock

Vegetable stock can be used as a great vegetarian chicken broth substitute. 

Vegetable stock can be used as a direct 1-to-1 replacement in any recipe that calls for chicken stock.

Also, even though you may not be looking for a vegetarian alternative for chicken stock, or vegetable stock, you can still use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock if this is all you have available. 

Vegetable stock has less flavor so additional herbs and seasonings may be needed when adding it to your recipe.

Beef Broth

Beef broth can be used as an alternative to chicken stock. It has a stronger flavor than the chicken stock so you may consider diluting it according to your taste.

Beef broth can be used as a substitute in stews, soups, and gravies.

Beef stock

 beef stock

Beef stock makes a great substitute for chicken broth in a pinch. Use equal parts.

Seafood Broth

seafood broth

If you have it available, seafood broth can make a great sub for chicken broth. Use seafood broth in recipes like gumbo, seafood sauces, gravies, etc. You can see how to make seafood broth here or get seafood broth from amazon.

Coconut Milk 

coconut milk

If you have coconut milk available it can be used as a suitable alternative for chicken broth in some instances. Be sure the coconut flavor will work with the dish before substituting the chicken broth with coconut milk. Curry dishes and some African dishes respond well when coconut milk is used as an alternative to chicken broth. 

Dashi

Despite the strong flavor of Dashi, it can be used as a chicken broth substitute in seafood dishes, stews, soups, and casseroles. Dilute your Dashi before use to decrease the flavor until you reach your desired taste. 

Aquafaba 

Aquafaba, or the liquid leftover from chickpeas, can also be used as a chicken broth substitute. It will need to be reduced with an equal amount of water and used cup for cup to replace the chicken broth a recipe calls for. Aquafaba will work best in recipes that do not require a strong chicken flavor. 

White Wine

If you have it, white wine can be used as a substitute for chicken broth in some recipes. It will slightly alter the flavor of the dish and is not recommended for recipes that call for more than a ½ cup of chicken broth. It’s best used as a replacement in seafood recipes that use clams.

Chicken Bouillon

chicken bouillon cubes

Chicken Bouillon can be used to make a replacement for chicken broth as well. Both the granules and the cubes can be added to water to make a simple homemade chicken broth. Use the chicken bouillon broth as a 1-to-1 substitute anywhere chicken broth is needed. In a hurry? Check out my favorite chicken bullion cubes at Amazon. I’ve tried numerous other ones and found this one works best.

Ramen Seasoning

In a pinch, you can also make chicken broth out of the Ramen seasoning packets. The ramen seasoning packets tend to be salty so you may not need an entire packet, or you may need to adjust your recipe so it accounts for the additional seasonings. Dissolve the contents of the ramen seasoning packet in hot water to desired flavor and taste before using it with any recipe that calls for chicken broth.  

Water

If you have no other alternative plain fresh water may be used. You may want to increase the seasoning in the recipe to maintain the flavor of the dish. Alternatively, melt a small amount of butter or add olive oil to your water to help increase the flavor. 

The water can be used as a 1-to-1 substitute but is not recommended in recipes that feature chicken broth as the main ingredient.  

Recipes that use chicken broth or chicken broth substitutions

Instant pot beef stew recipe

Instant pot beef stew

 

Instant pot beef taco soup

instant pot beef taco soup recipe

 

Gravy recipe

Gravy recipe

 

Savory Keto Bread Stuffing 

savory Stuffing

 

Dirty cauliflower rice

dirty cauliflower rice

If you do not have Chicken broth available while preparing your dish or are looking for a viable vegetarian alternative for chicken broth, you may have plenty of substitutes sitting right in your kitchen. Beef broth, coconut milk, or even white wine can be used as suitable chicken broth substitutions. Alternatively, you can make a substitute broth from bouillon or even ramen season packages in a pinch. Regardless of what you use, the good news is, if you’re out of chicken broth, you will be able to find something that works!

substitute for chicken broth

Best Chicken Broth Substitute + 9 More Alternatives

Yield: 1 cup of chicken broth

Check out this simple chicken broth substitute made with just two ingredients and a few minutes! Plus, find 9 other simple ways to replace chicken broth in any recipe!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Measure out the amount of water specified in your recipe. If a recipe calls for 1 cup of chicken broth, measure 1 cup of water. Then bring to a boil.
  2. Next, use the bouillon cubes according to the package instructions. Typically, I use 1 bouillon cube for every cup of water. 
  3. Stir until the bouillon cube has dissolved into the water and has formed a uniform chicken broth. Use this in place of chicken broth in any recipe for that delicious chicken flavor. 

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 5

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