If You’ve Ever Wondered What’s The Difference Between Chicken Stock And Bouillon, We’ve Got The Answer

chicken stock vs bouillon

We all know that the best soup starts with a good stock.

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But have you ever heard about chicken bouillon? And what makes it different from regular chicken stock?

If these questions have come to your mind, then this article is just right for you.

Read on and find the answer in our post below.

What is chicken stock?

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Chicken stock is a kind of liquid that is made by simmering chicken bones in water with vegetables such as carrot, celery, onion, garlic, and herbs like thyme or bay leaves.

The liquid that results from this process of cooking can be used to make soups, stews, sauces, gravy, and other dishes taste more delicious.

Chicken stock can be made from new chicken bones that can be bought from a grocery store or you can make use of leftover bones for a more economical option.

Homemade chicken stock has a milder taste and is healthier because the canned version is usually packed with a lot of sodium and additives or preservatives to keep the stock last longer.

What is chicken bouillon?

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Chicken bouillon is basically not different from chicken stock, but it is sold in other forms.

That means chicken bouillon is actually chicken stock that has been concentrated or dehydrated.

You can find chicken bouillon in different forms, such as powder, cubes, paste, or granular.

The purpose of making chicken bouillon is to lengthen the shelf life of the chicken stock.

By dehydrating the liquid, the result will be more concentrated in flavor and easier to store.

If the chicken stock should be kept in the fridge, chicken bouillon can stay well at room temperature, as long as the place you keep it is dry and not exposed to direct light and heat.

You will also need to adjust the quantity of chicken bouillon (cubes or tablespoons) when the recipe calls for regular chicken stock liquid because the bouillon tends to be saltier due to evaporation.

Chicken bouillon is used the same way as other stocks like meat stock or vegetable stock, including soups, stews, gravy, or sauce.

What are the differences between chicken stock vs chicken bouillon?

Chicken stock and chicken bouillon are basically one thing, but the way they are processed before being sold on the market is distinctive.

The comparison table below will clearly show you how chicken stock differs from chicken bouillon:

 Chicken stockChicken bouillon
FormLiquidCubes, powder, paste, or granular
Shelf lifeShorterLonger
TasteMilderSaltier because the stock is dehydrated to make chicken bouillon
PreparationCan be added directly to the dishShould be dissolved in water before adding to the dish

What are the similarities between chicken stock vs chicken bouillon?

In this section, we will figure out the similarities between chicken stock and chicken bouillon besides the key differences that are mentioned earlier:

1.     Chicken stock and chicken bouillon are actually one thing in different forms

As already mentioned, chicken bouillon is made by dehydrating chicken stock.

Therefore, basically, they are just one thing.

This similarity is the origin of the other following common things that can be found in chicken stock and chicken bouillon.

2.     Chicken stock and chicken bouillon have the same nutrient value

Since they are basically one thing, there is no difference between their nutritional content.

Chicken stock and chicken bouillon are rich sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin A, K, E, B-vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorus, electrolytes, and antioxidants.

These substances are essential for our body and can benefit our health in different ways.

3.     Chicken stock and chicken bouillon can be used interchangeably

You can substitute chicken stock with chicken bouillon and vice versa.

When you dissolve chicken bouillon, you can have a similar liquid with chicken stock.

Therefore, feel free to use these two ingredients interchangeably in any recipe that calls for one.

Which one is better?

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After reading this article, hopefully, you have learned more about the differences between chicken bouillon and regular chicken stock.

They are actually the same thing that is processed in different ways, therefore, just buy the one that you have more access to.

With so many options available on the market today, it is easy enough to find the right product for what you need without having any trouble at all.

Happy cooking everyone and get ready to enjoy whatever dish comes from the best chicken stock or chicken bouillon.