Lucas Delgado
Chicken bouillon cubes are a convenient way to add flavour to a variety of dishes, but what exactly goes into these compact cubes? Typically, chicken bouillon cubes are made from dehydrated vegetables or meat stock, a small portion of fat, MSG, salt, and seasonings. While the ingredients may vary slightly between brands, most bouillon cubes contain a similar set of base ingredients. Some people also make their own chicken bouillon cubes at home, allowing them to customize the ingredients to their preferences and avoid preservatives and excess sodium found in some commercial products.
Ingredients in a chicken bouillon cube
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Dehydrated vegetables or meat stock, a small portion of fat, MSG, salt, and seasonings |
| Additional ingredients | Herbs, spices, vegetables, meat |
| Commercial bouillon cubes | Up to 500 mg of sodium per cube |
| Homemade bouillon cubes | 12 mg of sodium per serving, no additives, artificial colouring or flavour enhancers |
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What You'll Learn
Homemade chicken bouillon cubes
Chicken bouillon cubes are a convenient way to add flavour to soups, stews, sauces, and more. While store-bought bouillon cubes may be tasty, they often contain artificial ingredients and excess sodium. Making your own chicken bouillon cubes at home is a healthier alternative, as you can control the ingredients used and ensure there are no artificial additives or preservatives. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own delicious and nutritious homemade chicken bouillon cubes:
Ingredients
You can use any cut of chicken you prefer and choose vegetables and spices according to your taste. Here is a list of ingredients you can use:
- Chicken thighs or drumsticks
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parsnip
- Carrots
- Leek
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Bell peppers
- Celery root
- Fresh herbs (e.g. thyme, rosemary, parsley)
- Lemon juice
- Avocado oil
- Water
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear it in a pot with avocado oil for about 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.
- Add water to the pot, cover it, and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and set the water aside for later.
- Separate the chicken meat from the bone.
- Sauté the vegetables until they are tender.
- Add the chicken, water, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to the pot and simmer.
- Allow the mixture to cool.
- Blend the cooled mixture until it forms a purée.
- Spoon the purée into an ice cube tray or a mould that holds about 2 tablespoons per space.
- Freeze the mixture overnight or until solid.
- Transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe container or a Ziplock bag.
- Store the cubes in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Tips and Variations
- You can experiment with different types of vegetables, meats, or spices to create your own unique flavour profiles.
- If you want to make a vegan or vegetarian version, simply omit the meat and use vegetables or herbs of your choice.
- Instead of salt, you can use alternatives such as nutritional yeast, soy sauce, tamari, or Vegeta.
- These homemade chicken bouillon cubes are a great way to add flavour to soups, stews, sauces, rice, and more. Simply add 1-2 cubes to hot water or directly to your recipes.
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Commercial chicken bouillon cubes
The ingredients in commercial chicken bouillon cubes vary by brand but typically include some combination of salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), vegetable oil, sugar, corn protein, yeast extract, chicken fat, water, corn starch, maltodextrin, spices, and chicken meat. Some cubes may also contain natural or artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives.
For example, Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon Cubes list the following ingredients: salt, monosodium glutamate, vegetable oil shortening (palm stearin, hydrogenated palm oil, TBHQ), sugar, hydrolyzed corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract (soy), chicken fat, water, corn starch, maltodextrin, disodium inosinate, natural flavour, caramel colour (sulfites), spice, chicken meat, tricalcium phosphate, citric acid, and tartaric acid.
Another brand, HERB-OX® Chicken Bouillon Cubes, contains real herbs and vegetables, adding a subtle richness to dishes. However, the specific ingredients listed on their website do not include the addition of chicken meat.
While commercial chicken bouillon cubes are convenient, some people prefer to make their own at home to avoid the high sodium content and artificial additives found in some store-bought cubes. Homemade chicken bouillon cubes can be made with wholesome, natural ingredients and customized to personal preferences. They can also be made without any preservatives and with significantly less sodium than commercial cubes.
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Sodium content
Commercial bouillon cubes typically contain up to 500 mg of sodium per cube. This amount can be concerning, especially for individuals who need to monitor their sodium intake for health reasons. For context, the recommended daily sodium intake for adults is generally around 2,300 mg, so a single bouillon cube can account for a substantial portion of that allowance.
The high sodium content in commercial bouillon cubes is often due to the presence of salt and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Salt, or sodium chloride, is a well-known source of sodium and is added to bouillon for flavour enhancement and preservation. MSG, another common ingredient in bouillon, also contains sodium and is used as a flavour enhancer.
However, it's important to note that not all bouillon cubes are created equal in terms of sodium content. Homemade chicken bouillon cubes, for instance, can be a much lower-sodium alternative. By making your own bouillon cubes at home, you can control the amount of salt added and include other flavourful ingredients like herbs and spices. Homemade versions can have as little as 12 mg of sodium per serving, a significant reduction compared to their commercial counterparts.
Additionally, some commercial brands may offer reduced-sodium or low-sodium versions of their bouillon cubes. These options can be a good middle ground for those who want the convenience of store-bought cubes while still being mindful of their sodium intake. It's always a good idea to read the nutritional labels and compare different brands to make an informed choice.
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Meat alternatives
Chicken bouillon cubes are dehydrated cubes or powder used to create instant stock. They are commonly used to add flavour to soups, stews, sauces, curries, and more. While they are readily available in stores, some people prefer to make their own chicken bouillon cubes at home to avoid the long list of artificial ingredients and high sodium content found in commercial cubes.
Homemade Chicken Bouillon Cubes
You can make your own chicken bouillon cubes at home using simple kitchen staples and a blender. The basic process involves simmering chicken and vegetables in water to create a broth, blending the cooled broth and vegetables, and then freezing the mixture in ice cube trays or baking sheets. You can customize the ingredients to your preference, such as using different cuts of chicken, adding various vegetables, or experimenting with different herbs and spices.
Vegetable Stock Cubes
For a vegetarian or vegan option, you can omit the meat and use vegetables to make vegetable stock cubes. This involves simmering vegetables in water, blending them into a purée, and then freezing the mixture. You can enhance the flavour by adding herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, cayenne pepper, ginger, or black peppercorns.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is a popular ingredient for making homemade bouillon powder. It provides a rich flavour and body, as well as B-vitamins. It is often combined with salt to create a savoury base that can be used in place of chicken bouillon cubes.
Agar Agar Powder
Agar agar powder is a vegan alternative to create a collagen-like texture in stocks. Adding a small amount of agar agar powder to vegetable stock can mimic the mouthfeel of chicken stock, making it a useful ingredient for creating vegan or vegetarian-friendly alternatives to chicken bouillon.
By using these alternatives, you can create flavourful stocks and seasonings while avoiding the artificial ingredients and high sodium content sometimes found in store-bought chicken bouillon cubes.
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Storage
Storing chicken bouillon cubes is simple, as they are shelf-stable and require no refrigeration. To maximize their shelf life, store them in a cool, dry area. Tightly seal the package to ensure the bouillon cubes stay fresh and are protected from moisture.
Properly stored, bouillon cubes will generally stay at their best quality for about two years. After the "best before" date, the texture, colour, or flavour may change, but they will still be safe to consume if stored properly and the package is undamaged.
If you are using homemade chicken bouillon cubes, you can freeze them for extended storage. First, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Once frozen, either cover the tray with a lid or transfer the cubes to a large Ziplock bag for convenient freezer storage. These frozen stock cubes will last in the freezer for up to three to four months.
If you don't have an ice cube tray, you can use a baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, spread the purée evenly, and freeze it until solid. Then, cut the frozen block into equal-sized squares, wrap each square in foil or parchment paper, and store them in a Ziplock bag in the freezer.
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Frequently asked questions
A chicken bouillon cube is typically made from dehydrated vegetables or meat stock, a small portion of fat, MSG, salt, and seasonings. You can also make your own chicken bouillon cubes at home using vegetables, chicken, salt, and spices.
Homemade chicken bouillon cubes are free of preservatives and artificial additives. They can also be customised with different vegetables, meats, and spices to suit your preferences.
Homemade chicken bouillon cubes can last for 3-4 months in the freezer without any preservatives.
