The stock concentrate comes in handy whenever a recipe calls for chicken stock or broth, and you don’t have any on hand. But what if you neither have the concentrate, nor the actual chicken stock? No problem, there are a few substitutes that will work just as well.
There are several potential substitutes for the concentrate. The best substitute will depend on what you have on hand, and what you are using the chicken stock concentrate for.
What is chicken stock concentrate?
Any good cook knows that a well-stocked kitchen pantry is vital to creating delicious meals. One of the key ingredients in any pantry is chicken stock concentrate.
Concentrated chicken stock is made by boiling down chicken bones and vegetables until they release their flavor into the water. This rich, flavorful liquid can then be used in soups, stews, sauces, and a variety of other dishes. It is also an excellent way to add extra flavor when cooking rice or other grains.
While it takes a bit of time to make concentrated chicken stock from scratch, it is well worth the effort. Store-bought stocks are often lacking in flavor, and they can be expensive. With a little planning and a bit of simmering, you can easily make your own chicken stock concentrate at home.
Related Topic:
13 chicken stock concentrate substitutes
You may have tried the homemade chicken stock, after all, that’s the diluted version of the concentrate, but did you know there are well over ten substitutes?
Below are 13 substitutes for chicken stock concentrate.
1. Chicken Bouillon
Chicken bouillon is a concentrated form paste or powder that is made from chicken stock that has been boiled down and dehydrated. It is an excellent substitute for chicken broth and concentrates, and it can be found in most grocery stores. It has an intense chicken flavor.
When substituting with chicken bouillon in a recipe, use one cube for every tablespoon of stock concentrate. If it’s a gravy you’re making, dissolve the bouillon cube in a little hot water and pour the mix into the gray. For soups and stews, throw in the cube as the mix boils.
For granulated form, use a teaspoon of bouillon granules for every teaspoon of concentrate.
2. Chicken Stock
Both homemade and store-bought chicken broth can be used as a substitute for stock concentrate. While it will not be as concentrated, it will still add a good amount of flavor to your dish.
Chicken stock is made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables in water for several hours. It can then be strained and used in a variety of dishes. Chicken broth can be found in most grocery stores, or it can be made at home.
Use half a cup of chicken broth for every tablespoon of the concentrate.
3. Gravy Granules
Gravy granules are a type of bouillon that is made from meat stock that has been dehydrated and ground into a powder. They are a quick and easy way to add flavor to soups, stews, and sauces. When substituting with gravy granules in a recipe, use one tablespoon per cup of liquid, preferably boiling water.
Gravy granules can be made from vegetable and meat extracts. Therefore, since they are thickened with wheat flour, it’s possible to find vegan-friendly and gluten-free options.
4. Stock cubes
Stock cubes are similar to bouillon, but they are usually made with vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. They can be found in most grocery stores, and they are a quick and easy way to add flavor to soups and stews.
Stock cubes are very easy to use for they only need to be added to the dish you are preparing without the hassle of measuring out different ingredients. For example, you could choose to dissolve these cubes in hot water to make a stock, or you could crush them directly into a cooking dish to intensify the flavor profile.
The only downside with stock cubes is that they are usually high in sodium, so be sure to check the label before using them in your cooking.
5. Vegetable Stock
Vegetable broth is made by simmering vegetables in water for several hours in a slow cooker. It can be used as a substitute for the stock concentrate, although it will not be as flavorful.
Vegetable stock can be made at home or bought at most grocery stores. When making vegetable stock, it is important to use a variety of vegetables for the best flavor.
Talking of benefits, vegetable stock is a low-calorie, low-fat, and cholesterol-free substitution. However, keep in mind that this substitute is very low in proteins as well.
Vegetable stock is ideal for both vegans and vegetarians who don’t want to use the stock concentrate in their cooking. Conversely, the concentrate can be used as a substitute for vegetable stock.
6. Bone Broth
Bone broth is made by simmering beef bones and vegetables in water for several hours. It is a rich and flavorful substitute.
Since the main ingredient in bone stock is bones, including oxtail and marrow bones, you are assured of high gelatin and collagen in the broth. In turn, this means healthier skin, hair, and nails. Also, the amino acids present in beef broth have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to heal a leaky gut.
When substituting with bone broth, use one cup of broth for every tablespoon of concentrate.
7. Beef stock and Veal stock
Beef and veal stocks can also be used in place of chicken stock concentrate, depending on the recipe. They are made in a similar way to bone stock, by simmering beef or veal bones and vegetables in water for several hours.
Both beef stock and veal stock are rich and flavorful substitutes for stock concentrate. When substituting with either of these stocks, use one cup of beef broth for every tablespoon of the concentrate.
8. Beer
Beer can be used as a substitute, although it will not be as flavorful. When substituting with beer, be watchful of the meal’s consistency as beer won’t vaporize as fast as chicken concentrate does.
Beer is an excellent substitute, whenever you want to add more flavor without adding salt. In fact, beer is a versatile ingredient used as a stock and broth, as well as a baste in different sauces, stews, and gravies, globally.
When using beer, use half a cup of beer for every tablespoon of the stock concentrate. This way, you’ll give your meal a deeper flavor profile without the high sodium found in salt.
9. Wine
Wine can also be used as a substitute for chicken stock concentrate, although it will not be as flavorful. Nevertheless, wine introduces a deep fruity flavor to your dish, which can be quite pleasant.
Wine is used in many classic French dishes and works especially well with chicken, beef, and pork. It also goes well with mushrooms and tomatoes.
Dry white wine has a mildly acidic flavor and can be used in other ways such as deglazing the pan and thinning sauces.
When substituting with wine, use half a cup of white wine for every tablespoon of concentrate. Add the wine at the beginning of cooking to allow the gravy to thicken as excess water vaporizes.
10. Water + Butter
Butter has a slightly fatty, rich flavor, reminiscent of what chicken stock concentrate induces in meals. When used with water, it can be an adequate stand-in for the stock concentrate.
To make a butter and water mixture, melt 1/2 stick of butter in a pan. Add half a cup of water and bring to a boil. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, then use it as you would chicken stock concentrate. Alternatively, substitute a tablespoon of butter for a tablespoon of chicken concentrate, directly into the meal.
Butter is a high-calorie ingredient, so use it sparingly. A tablespoon will contain as much as 103 calories and 12 grams of fat.
11. Salt and spices
Whenever you can’t find a chicken stock concentrate substitute, you can always season your food with spices. This is the most straightforward substitution and will add flavor and umami to your meal.
Salt is the most common seasoning used in cooking and can enhance the flavor of almost any dish. Other spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and chili flakes can also be used to give your meal a flavor boost.
When substituting salt and spices for stock concentrate, start with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and add more to taste. Add other spices as desired.
12. Coconut milk
Coconut milk is a dairy-free alternative to stock concentrate. It is high in fat and has a creamy, nutty flavor.
Coconut milk can be used in soups, curries, and sauces. It is also a popular ingredient in Thai cooking.
When substituting coconut milk for chicken stock concentrate, add the coconut milk to taste.
13. Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the liquid that remains after cooking legumes. It is a vegan-friendly alternative to the concentrate.
Aquafaba has a starchy texture and can be used to thicken soups, gravies, and sauces.
When substituting with aquafaba, add the aquafaba sparingly as it can easily overwhelm the dish. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed.
Chicken stock concentrate vs chicken stock
When it comes to chicken stock, there are two main types: concentrate and stock. Chicken stock concentrate is made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables in water until all the flavors have been extracted. The mixture is then simmered again to reduce the water content, resulting in a highly concentrated broth.
Chicken stock, on the other hand, is made by simmering chicken meat and bones in water until they are cooked through. The broth is then strained and cooled before being used. While the stock concentrate has a more intense flavor, it can also be more difficult to find in stores. Chicken stock, on the other hand, is widely available and easy to make at home. For this reason, chicken stock is often the better choice for everyday cooking.
Chicken stock concentrate nutrition facts
One tablespoon of chicken stock concentrate contains:
| Items | Qty |
| Calories | 45 |
| Fat: | 3g |
| Sodium | 520mg |
| Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Protein | 3.5g |
Chicken stock concentrate is a good source of protein and sodium. It is also low in calories and fat.
Where to buy chicken stock concentrate
The concentrate can be found in the soup aisle of most grocery stores. It is also available online.
Chicken stock concentrate typically comes in jars, or pouches that you can squeeze.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you use chicken stock instead of chicken stock concentrate?
Chicken stock can be used in place of chicken stock concentrate, but it will not have the same intensity of flavor. Chicken stock is also lower in sodium.
How much is 1 unit of chicken stock concentrate?
Chicken stock concentrate is typically sold in jars or pouches. One jar or pouch will contain between 4-6 servings. One serving is typically 1 tablespoon. However, some brands may have a different serving size. Always check the label to be sure.
Final Words
Whenever you can’t find a chicken stock concentrate substitute, you can always season your food with spices. The above substitutes will give your meal a flavor boost. Chicken stock concentrate is high in protein and sodium, while most other options are virtually free of sodium. If you’ve another substitute we missed in this article, let us know in the comments section and we will add it.