Beef broth is a versatile ingredient used to add flavor and depth to many savory dishes like stews, soups, gravies, and sauces. But what if you don’t have any beef broth when a recipe calls for it? Don’t worry, there are plenty of easy ingredient swaps and substitutions you can use in place of beef broth.
In this article, I’ll share 15 simple options for what to use instead of beef broth. I’ve included both vegetarian/vegan substitutes as well as substitutions that contain meat.
How Beef Broth Is Used
Before jumping into the substitutions, let’s quickly go over how beef broth is typically used in cooking:
- As a base for soups, stews, gravies, and sauces
- For braising and cooking tougher cuts of meat
- Adds richness, body, and depth of flavor
- Provides moisture and keeps dishes from drying out
- Use in place of water for more flavor
Knowing common uses of beef broth will help you determine the best substitute based on how you plan to use it. The substitute needs to perform the same function as the beef broth called for in your recipe.
15 Substitutes for Beef Broth
1. Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is one of the most readily available and easy substitutions It provides a similar meaty flavor.
To use: Replace beef broth with an equal amount of chicken broth. For more robust flavor, reduce chicken broth by half first.
2. Vegetable Broth
Vegetable broth adds savory flavor and is perfect for vegetarian/vegan cooking. It’s easy to find at most grocery stores or you can make your own
To use: Replace beef broth 1:1 with vegetable broth.
3. Mushroom Broth
With its deep umami flavor, mushroom broth makes a tasty substitution. Add soy sauce or extra seasoning to enhance flavor.
To use: Replace beef broth 1:1 with mushroom broth.
4. Beef Bouillon Cubes
Bouillon cubes are dehydrated broth that easily dissolves into hot water. Look for beef or chicken cubes.
To use: Dissolve 1 beef bouillon cube into 1 cup hot water to replace 1 cup beef broth.
5. Red or White Wine
Wine adds acidic brightness and fruity flavor. Red wine gives a deeper color. Avoid cooking with wine you wouldn’t drink.
To use: Replace beef broth 1:1 with red or white wine.
6. Soy Sauce
The salty umami flavor of soy sauce approximates the savoriness of beef broth. Use reduced sodium soy sauce if desired.
To use: Mix 1 tbsp soy sauce with 1 cup water or broth to replace 1 cup beef broth.
7. Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce provides deep savory flavor. It contains anchovies so it’s not vegetarian.
To use: Mix 1 tbsp Worcestershire with 1 cup water or broth to replace 1 cup beef broth.
8. Tomato Paste
Adding tomato paste to water gives a rich, concentrated flavor. A little goes a long way.
To use: Mix 1-2 tbsp tomato paste with 1 cup water to replace 1 cup beef broth.
9. Miso Paste
Miso paste made from fermented soybeans has an umami flavor. Red or yellow miso work best.
To use: Mix 1 tbsp miso with 1 cup hot water to replace 1 cup beef broth.
10. Dried Porcini Mushrooms
Rehydrate dried porcini mushrooms in hot water to extract intense, woodsy flavor. Strain before using.
To use: Soak 1 oz dried porcini in 2 cups hot water for 30 mins. Strain soaking liquid to replace beef broth.
11. Beer or Non-Alcoholic Beer
Opt for a bold, malty beer like porter or stout. The alcohol will cook off.
To use: Replace beef broth 1:1 with beer. Non-alcoholic beer works too.
12. Beef Stock/Bone Broth
Beef stock and bone broth offer the closest flavor to beef broth. Use them interchangeably.
To use: Replace beef broth 1:1 with beef stock or bone broth.
13. Mushroom Powder
Dehydrated mushroom powder offers concentrated mushroom flavor.
To use: Add 1-2 tsp mushroom powder to 1 cup water to replace 1 cup beef broth.
14. Seaweed Powder
Dried seaweed powder like kelp or kombu provide hints of savory umami.
To use: Add 1-2 tsp kelp powder to 1 cup water to replace 1 cup beef broth.
15. Beef Base/Paste
Concentrated beef base needs to be reconstituted in water. Provides robust meaty flavor.
To use: Mix beef base with water according to package instructions to replace beef broth.
Tips for Choosing a Beef Broth Substitute
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For vegetarian/vegan dishes, opt for vegetable broth, wine, soy sauce, miso, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed powder, or water with extra seasoning.
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For the closest flavor, use chicken broth, beef stock/bone broth, beef base, or bouillon cubes.
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Add extra herbs, spices, aromatics, wine, soy sauce, etc. to any substitute to boost flavor as needed.
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Reduce/simmer watery substitutes like wine, beer, juice, etc. to concentrate flavor.
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Make sure your beef broth substitute has a similar consistency to what the recipe needs.
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Taste and adjust seasoning of finished dish, adding more salt, pepper, etc. if needed.
Homemade Beef Broth
When time allows, making your own beef broth is rewarding and offers the best flavor. Simmer beef bones, meat, veggies and seasonings in water for several hours before straining. Freeze the broth in batches for later use.
Beef broth is called for in many recipes, but don’t let a lack of beef broth stop you from cooking. With versatile ingredients like chicken broth, vegetable broth, wine, soy sauce, miso, bouillon, tomato paste, and more, you can mimic the savory umami flavor and richness of beef broth.
Experiment with different beef broth substitutions and find one that suits your taste and dietary needs. With the options in this article, you’ll always have a simple swap on hand.
Beer or Red Wine
If you are looking for a flavorful substitute, beer or red wine can be an option! Beer and wine both have a strong flavor, and they can be used to add richness to dishes.
To use beer or wine as a substitute, add 1 cup of beer or wine for each cup of beef broth.
If you are looking to avoid the alcohol, which will cook off during the cooking process, you can use a high-quality non alcoholic beer to add great flavor to your dish.
If you are looking for a substitute that is similar in flavor, beef stock is a great option! It is made by simmering beef bones, water, and vegetables.
To use beef stock as a substitute, you can use equal amounts of stock as beef broth called for in your recipe.
If youd like, Recipe Tin Eats has a great recipe for homemade beef stock.
Beef base is a dehydrated product made from beef broth. It is a concentrated flavor enhancer that you can add to sauces, soups, or stews.
You can add onion and garlic powder to your base if you feel the need for a bit more flavor.
To use beef base, substitute at a ratio of 1:1.
Using this as a substitute for beef broth is a great way to add flavor to your dish. Vegetable broth from vegetable stock is a flavorful alternative that is perfect for vegetarian and vegan dishes. Add some bay leaves for a different flavor.
Vegetable broth is made of vegetables and water. To use it as a beef broth substitute, use the 1:1 ratio.
An article from Organic facts suggests vegetable broth is the best all-around substitute for beef broth.
If you dont have canned beef broth and have some free time, you can create your own beef broth at home. Although the process requires some time and effort, it is possible to make your own homemade broth.
Taste of Home has a great recipe for homemade beef broth.
If you are looking for a vegan substitute for beef broth, the savory liquid aminos is a great option and can add some intense flavor. It is a light, flavorful alternative that is perfect for vegan dishes.
Its made from concentrated amino acids from soy.
To use liquid aminos as a substitute, add half a cup of liquid aminos to the recipe.
How beef broth is often used
Beef broth can serve as a braising fluid or added to stews or soups. But what if you dont have any beef broth on hand and you dont have the time to get to the store? Hopefully, youll find the perfect substitute listed below.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Worcestershire sauce can make a really a great substitute. Worcestershire sauce is made with anchovies, tamarind, and various spices, and it delivers a delicious flavor and a rich taste.
Worcestershire sauce offers complex umami flavors that take care of the salt factor required in the dish and can even make it a better flavorful choice versus something like soy sauce.
To use Worcestershire sauce as a substitute, add 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of water or vegetable broth for each cup of beef broth.
Unfortunately, since it can contain anchovies or fish soup, it is not a vegetarian or vegan substitute.
If you dont have beef broth, you can use chicken broth as the substitute. Chicken broth adds a mild flavor and light color to dishes.
Both broths have nearly identical compositions: The chicken broth calls for chicken instead of beef meat — causing less flavor but retaining a meaty taste as much as it is savory.
To use chicken broth as a substitute, simply add on a 1:1 ratio.
Mushroom broth is a flavorful and earthy substitute in recipes. It pairs well with dishes that contain onion, garlic, or celery and adds a nice mushroom flavor.
This broth is made by simmering mushrooms in water, which creates a deep, rich flavor. You can, if you wish, make your own mushroom broth with assorted mushrooms. A Couple Cooks has a great homemade mushroom broth thats easy and ready in about 15 minutes.
This alternative is both vegetarian/vegan as it is prepared similar to vegetable broth but most of its flavor is produced from an assortment of mushrooms instead of an assortment of vegetables.
Mushroom broth has similar flavors and consistency to beef broth but you can also add a touch of soy sauce, fresh herbs, or spices to boost the flavor.
To use mushroom broth, substitute at a ratio of 1:1.
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to add beef broth flavor to your dish and keep that meaty flavor, beef bouillon cubes are a great option for beef stew and other dishes!
Bouillon cubes are made of dehydrated beef broth and dissolve quickly in hot water. To use bouillon cubes as a substitute, add one bouillon cube to 1 cup of hot water.
Similar to beef bouillon cubes, these are a great way to add chicken broth flavor to your dish. They are made of dehydrated chicken broth and dissolve quickly in hot water.
Both beef and chicken cubes are a great way to add the flavor of beef or chicken broth to your dish without having to make a full pot of broth.
They are also a quick and easy option if you only need a small amount of broth for your recipe.
To use bouillon cubes as a substitute, add one bouillon cube to 1 cup of hot water.
Miso paste can be a good substitute because it has a deep, savory flavor and contains umami ingredients.
Miso paste is made from fermented soybeans, rice, or barley and is a good vegan or vegetarian substitute.
To use miso, add 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of hot or boiling water.
Bone broth is the closest match because of its texture and rich beef flavor.
To use as a replacement for beef broth, substitute at a ratio of 1:1.
Because its concentrated, tomato paste has a rich deep flavor thats great for soups and stews.
To use tomato paste as a substitute, add one tablespoon of tomato paste to 1 cup of hot or boiling water.
what are substitutes for beef broth ? | how to replace meat? | how to replace meat
FAQ
What can you use instead of beef broth?
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Reddit · r/AskCulinaryhttps://www.reddit.comBeef broth substitute? : r/AskCulinary – RedditDec 28, 2024 — You can use chicken broth or even water. Flavor won’t be exactly the same as if you used beef broth, but it will be just fine.
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Verywell Fithttps://www.verywellfit.comBest Substitutes for Beef Broth – Verywell FitDec 29, 2021 — Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has …
Can I just use water if I don’t have beef broth?
Yes, you can use water instead of beef broth for beef stew, but it will affect the overall flavor of the dish. Beef broth adds richness and depth, while water will result in a milder taste. To enhance the flavor when using water, consider adding:
What is the same as beef broth?
Stock is made with bones and some trim. Broth has the same but also has meat. So it’s richer and can be served on its own, whereas stock is generally only used as an ingredient in other recipes. But for most cooking purposes, the two are interchangeable.
What do I do if I don’t have broth?
Salted Butter and Water. If you don’t have broth on hand and want a little more flavor than just plain water, try subbing in a cup of water plus a tablespoon of butter for every cup of chicken broth.
What can I substitute for beef broth?
Please note that most beers are not gluten-free, so take that into consideration if you are on a gluten-free diet. To substitute one cup of beef broth, use one cup of reduced beer. 4. Liquid Aminos Aminos (photo source: Canva). Liquid aminos are another great alternative to traditional beef broth.
What can I use if I don’t have beef broth?
If you don’t have beef broth, you can use chicken broth as the substitute. Chicken broth adds a mild flavor and light color to dishes. Both broths have nearly identical compositions: The chicken broth calls for chicken instead of beef meat — causing less flavor but retaining a meaty taste as much as it is savory.
Can you use water as a substitute for beef broth?
Using water alone as a substitute for beef broth will not produce the same results. Beef broth is made by simmering beef bones, water, and vegetables. Using water in place of beef broth will not add flavor to your dish and may dilute the flavors of the other ingredients.
Do you need beef broth?
Beef broth is a staple ingredient in countless recipes, adding rich and savory depth to soups, stews, and sauces. However, there may be instances when you find yourself without it or prefer an alternative due to dietary restrictions or personal preferences.
Can you use beef stock instead of beef broth?
Replacing beef broth with beef stock will provide a richer flavor to your soups, stews, and other recipes. Use beef stock in a 1:1 substitution for beef broth. If the stock is too thick, simply add a bit of water to thin it out before using it. 2. Beef Consomme Beef consomme is the result of boiling down beef broth until it becomes a thick sauce.
Can you substitute garlic for beef broth?
If a recipe calls for a cup of beef broth, you’ll want to add up to one garlic head to the recipe instead. And if you’re using ginger as a substitute, you can add up to a tablespoon of fresh minced ginger or two teaspoons of ground ginger. Then, regardless of whether you’re using garlic or ginger, add a cup of water to substitute the liquid.