6 Chicken Base Substitutes Can Wow Your Family

We all know that chicken base is a key ingredient in many dishes.

The problem is that sometimes it is hard to find the time to make a chicken base or buy a store-bought chicken base because it is out of stock.

So what are some great substitutes for a chicken base that can work the same way in the next soup or stew recipe?

Let’s figure it out in this article.

What is a chicken base?

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You may have heard the term “chicken base” all that time, but what is it? Chicken base is actually a flavorful and concentrated form of chicken stock.

That means to make a chicken base, you must have a pot of chicken stock that is made by simmering chicken bones, water, and/or vegetables like onion, carrot, celery, and spices.

After that, you will need to cook the chicken stock a bit more to let the liquid partially evaporate and form a thicker texture with a bolder flavor.

Chicken base is widely used as a base for soups, stews, sauces, or gravies.

The homemade chicken base might take time, but you can control the salt content as well as fresh ingredients.

Meanwhile, the store-bought chicken base makes dinner time so much less stressful due to its convenience.

Can you substitute chicken base in cooking recipes?

The chicken base can be replaced by other ingredients in case this product is out of stock or just because you want to look for a way to spice up your cooking with meatless substitutes.

These alternatives can be made at home without any fuss, but it will take more time than opting for a canned substitute.

What can you substitute for the chicken base?

Below is the list of the six chicken base substitutes that we find easy to make and affordable.

Let’s check it out!

1. Chicken bouillon

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Chicken bouillon is a popular product that is made from chicken stock or chicken broth, so it will provide the same flavor to your dish.

Chicken bouillon often comes in a dried version, as powder or cubes form.

It can be easily found in any grocery store or supermarket in the country.

Chicken bouillon has a longer shelf life because it is already hydrated.

However, read the instructions on the label carefully to use a proper quantity of this product in place of chicken base.

2. Chicken stock

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Either homemade or canned chicken stock will work as a great substitute for the chicken base.

If you have time, make your own pot of chicken stock so you can have the freshest and healthiest soup-based ingredient.

Otherwise, choose a can of the chicken base from a reputed brand to ensure the quality of the product.

3. Chicken broth

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Chicken broth can also replace chicken base in any cooking recipe like soups, stews, sauces, or gravies.

Chicken broth contains chicken meat, so it will give you a more satisfying mouthfeel.

Chicken broth also exists in the canned form that is already to be served from the container.

So if you don’t have time or sufficient ingredients to make chicken broth from scratch, just grab some cans of this product from your local grocery stores.

4. Beef stock

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The beef stock has a rich flavor so it can be a great item for soups or stews too.

Beef stock is made from beef bones that are simmered for hours to produce a flavorful liquid.

It is also a rich source of protein, minerals, vitamins, and collagen that benefit our health in many ways.

The beef stock might be a bit pricier than its chicken counterpart.

Therefore, you can choose to make it your own to save some money.

5. Vegetable stock

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Vegetable stock is a staple in any vegan diet.

It replaces all kinds of meat stock and products like chicken base.

Vegetable stock is typically made from fragrant vegetables like carrot, onion, and celery, so it contains no fat and is very healthy.

Homemade or store-bought vegetable stock can both work to replace the chicken base.

6. Mushroom stock

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Mushroom stock can be used to replace chicken base if you are a vegan or like the umami flavor of mushrooms.

Mushroom stock can be easily made at home or purchased from most grocery stores and supermarkets.

It has a dark color like beef stock, but a light flavor with a note of earthiness from mushrooms.

The bottom line

As you can see, there are many substitutes for chicken base available on the market that can help you out when you need them most.

The next time you are unable to find a container of the chicken base in your local stores, you know that there are numerous replacements from meat-based to vegan-based for you to choose from.

Give all of these chicken base substitutes a try to find out what works best for your taste buds.