The Best Substitute for Homemade Chicken Stock Is Free (2024)

Here at Basically, we're all about streamlining recipes. That means not calling for two ingredients where one will do, and cutting only the right corners. One ingredient I have learned to forsake, with very little detriment to most recipes, is chicken stock. Whether we’re talking about a homemade version or the store bought kind, calling for chicken stock is...kind of annoying. No matter how much you try, you almost never seem to have the good homemade stuff around when you need it, and the boxed stuff from the store, well, leaves something to be desired, and spoils quickly to boot. Fortunately, we’re here to let you in on a game-changing secret: Water makes a more than acceptable replacement for chicken stock in most soups, stews, sauces, and braises. And in many cases, water actually produces a better-tasting result.

If you are the kind of person who makes homemade chicken stock on the regular and keeps it frozen in various sized containers for all your cooking needs, I truly commend you. Quality homemade stock will invariably add great depth of flavor and body to a recipe. But it’s a luxury, not a necessity—it gilds the lily, as they say. Why? Because a great number of soups, stews, and braises essentially build their own stock while they cook, so starting with a base stock isn’t really necessary. Hearty soups with relatively long cook times like minestrone, for example, are chock-full of aromatics and flavor-lending ingredients like bacon, onions, and garlic. These infuse the water with their flavor and produce a clean-tasting broth all on their own. And when dried beans are involved? Forget it! Those little legumes create such a delicious broth as they cook that adding almost anything to it would be a crime.

The Best Substitute for Homemade Chicken Stock Is Free (2024)

FAQs

The Best Substitute for Homemade Chicken Stock Is Free? ›

Fortunately, we're here to let you in on a game-changing secret: Water makes a more than acceptable replacement for chicken stock in most soups, stews, sauces, and braises. And in many cases, water actually produces a better-tasting result.

What can I use if I run out of chicken stock? ›

Fortunately, we're here to let you in on a game-changing secret: Water makes a more than acceptable replacement for chicken stock in most soups, stews, sauces, and braises. And in many cases, water actually produces a better-tasting result.

Is homemade stock really better? ›

Boxed stock has virtually no gelatin, which means that it does not have the viscosity and richness of a homemade stock. A homemade stock will thicken and intensify as it reduces, while a store-bought stock will remain thin and watery until it completely boils away.”

What is the same as chicken stock? ›

Is Broth Different from Stock? There is one major difference between broth and stock: Broth is made from meat and vegetables, but stock is made with bones. While both are flavorful, broth tends to be thinner. It's cooked for less time, and it doesn't contain stock's thick, viscous texture.

What is a substitute for chicken stock in tomato soup? ›

You can substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. If you have homemade chicken broth use it because it takes the taste of the soup to the next level. Olive oil-Is used to saute the onions but you can use canola oil or any oil of your choice.

How long does homemade chicken stock last? ›

Information. Chicken broth can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen (for best quality) for 2-3 months.

Should you reduce homemade chicken stock? ›

Once you have learned how to make stock, it is easy to reduce. By simply reducing any stock down before storing or freezing it, you will not only concentrate the flavors and thicken the liquid, you will speed up the reduction time later when adding it to a pan sauce or other recipe.

What happens if you leave chicken stock out? ›

And though even a stock left out for days at a time might not technically be toxic after a thorough boiling, its flavor will certainly be compromised: A reboiled three-day-old stock may be safe to eat, but it is now seasoned with millions to billions of dead bacteria and their inactivated toxins.

Is there an alternative to stocks? ›

Alternative investments offer portfolio diversification beyond traditional stocks and bonds. The category includes assets such as real estate, commodities, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital, to name just a few.

How can I make my own stock at home? ›

To make homemade chicken stock, place chicken bones, vegetables, herbs and spices into a large pot. Cover with cold water then simmer for about 3 hours. Let it cool, then skim the fat. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Can I use water instead of stock? ›

The simple answer is yes, it's usually okay to substitute vegetable stock with water. In most recipes that call for vegetable stock, its main advantage over water is that it provides flavor, which is especially important if you're making vegetarian or vegan food that's missing the richness from meat.

What can I use instead of homemade stock? ›

Chicken Broth Substitute: Salted Butter + Water

If you don't have broth on hand and want a little more flavor than just plain water, try subbing in 1 cup of water plus 1 tablespoon of butter for every cup of chicken broth in your recipe. The butter will help create a richer flavor than just water alone.

Why do chefs like homemade stock? ›

It makes your food taste like chef's food, bring depth of flavour and richness to soups, stews, sauces, gravies and all that jazz! 5. It optimises digestion and Brillant Savarin knew this – am thinking this is why the French traditionally always start with a soup.

Is it worth making chicken stock? ›

Richer mouthfeel – Homemade chicken stock has abundant gelatin from the chicken bones and tissues, which gives it a full-bodied richness and mouthfeel when used in soups and stews. Store-bought stock lacks this quality. More versatile because it's unsalted – Store-bought stock is almost always salted.

What is similar to chicken stock concentrate? ›

Our favorite chicken stock concentrate substitutes are bone stock, homemade chicken stock, vegetable stock, a simple broth with added MSG, beer, miso paste, and Japanese dashi.

Should I make my own chicken stock? ›

Making homemade chicken stock is easy! Not only do you save money because you don't have to buy boxed stock, the stock itself is so much healthier for you because of all the iron, collagen, and vitamin-rich marrow from the bones. There are several ways to make chicken stock.

How to make chicken stock taste like broth? ›

You can add some onion and celery. You get better flavour if you roast the bones in the oven before putting in the stock pot. If you roast a chicken save the bones and broth is your free bonus product.

What can I use instead of chicken stock for rice? ›

Cooking rice in vegetable broth or stock is another option, and would make a delicious addition to any meatless Monday stir-fry! What is this? If you don't have any broth or stock on hand, try stirring a bit of concentrated bouillon paste or powder into hot water for flavorful broth on demand.

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