Are you searching for the ideal substitute to replace vegetable bouillon in a recipe? Look no further, we’ve got a lengthy list of the best vegetable bouillon substitutes.
Whether it be making homemade bouillon powder or snagging some leftover red wine, there are plenty of handy and excellent substitutes to use when you’re in a pinch. If you’re not in a pinch and more dedicated to making your own made-from-scratch ingredients, we’ve provided substitute options for that, too!
Continue reading to check out the best substitutes to replace vegetable bouillon below.
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What Is In A Vegetable Bouillon Cube?
A vegetable bouillon cube, sometimes referred to as vegetable stock cubes or broth cubes, usually consists of four ingredients that include seasonings, salt, aft, and vegetables. If you buy vegetable bouillon cubes from the store, it is important to note that there are more than a few ingredients listed due to the inclusion of additives or processed ingredients.
An example of such would be vegetable bouillon cubes from the brand Knorr. The following is the list of ingredients labeled under this product:
- Salt
- Modified Palm Oil
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Sugar
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Corn Starch
- Water
- Dehydrated Vegetables (Parsley, Carrots, Cabbage)
- Spices
- Color
- Disodium Inosinate
- Citric Acid
Is Vegetable Bouillon The Same As Vegetable Stock?
Vegetable bouillon cubes are basically a vegetable stock that has been seasoned with extra flavor, highly concentrated, and dehydrated. The result is a simple ingredient that is added to soups, stews, and chilis as a flavor enhancer.
Vegetarian & Vegan-Friendly Substitutions
Vegan Stock Powder
Also known as vegetable stock powder, vegan bouillon powder, vegetable bouillon powder, or broth powder, the vegan stock powder is a great replacement for vegetable bouillon.
The stock powder is essentially the same as a bouillon cube except in granular form that hasn’t been pressed into cube form. It is also easier to dissolve in powder form than in cube form.
Each bouillon cube equates to about 1 teaspoon. Replace one vegetable bouillon cube with one teaspoon of bouillon granules.
Store-Bought Vegetable Stock
Vegetable broth or stock can replace a vegetable bouillon cube that is called to be diluted with water. When using vegetable stock you will most likely need to compensate for missing flavor by adding in seasonings like onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, bay leaves, salt, and so on, to promote additional flavor.
One bouillon cube is normally dissolved into 8 ounces of hot water. To follow those measurements, replace the one vegetable bouillon cube diluted with one cup of water with one cup of vegetable stock.
There are four key ingredients to making your own vegetable bouillon if you don’t have any on hand for a recipe. They include fat, salt, vegetables, and seasonings.
The process of making vegetable bouillon requires cooking the ingredients into a stock, then blending the ingredients with an immersion blender or standing blender. There are a few options available on how to store the resulting puree.
The puree can be poured into an ice cube tray and frozen into homemade bouillon cubes for future usage. Another option is to dehydrate the puree into more of a common bouillon consistency. And the last option is to simply use the fresh puree and store it in the refrigerator if you will be using the product consistently in any following recipes.
Homemade Vegetable Broth
Easily made in a slow cooker or in a pot simmering on the stovetop, homemade vegetable broth can replace one vegetable bouillon cube that is called to be diluted with one cup of water. When making a homemade vegetable broth, you can control what goes into the recipe and flavor it to personal taste.
Use one cup of homemade vegetable broth to replace the vegetable bouillon cube diluted in one cup of water.
Store-Bought Mushroom Broth
Another great vegan and vegetarian substitute for vegetable bouillon is a mushroom broth. This alternative can be used to replace one vegetable bouillon cube that is called to be diluted with one cup of water.
Full of great health benefits like improving gut health, mushroom broth is made from an assortment of ingredients like mushrooms, garlic, salt, and pepper. A mushroom broth caters a savory and nutty umami flavor that can be translated into your recipe. It is found in the soup aisle alongside other boxed and canned broths.
Replace one vegetable bouillon cube diluted with one cup of water with one cup of mushroom broth.
Homemade Mushroom Broth
Making a homemade broth is more effortless than most initially consider. Homemade mushroom broth can be used to replace one vegetable bouillon cube that is called to be diluted with one cup of water in a recipe.
In a heat-safe bowl, add your mushrooms. Either fresh or dried mushrooms could be used. Pour boiling water into the bowl to cover the mushrooms. Add in a tablespoon of oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste.
Use the resulting liquid stock to replace one vegetable bouillon cube diluted with one cup of water with one cup of homemade mushroom broth.
Soy Sauce
There are a few variations of how to use soy sauce to replace vegetable bouillon. The second is more flavorful than the first, but both are great alternatives.
If you do not have any vegetable broth on hand, we recommend following the following variation. Measure out one tablespoon of soy sauce with one cup of water. Use this mixture to replace one vegetable bouillon cube.
If you have vegetable broth on hand, we recommend this method if desiring additional flavor for your recipe. Measure one tablespoon of soy sauce with 1 cup of vegetable broth. Mix well and use in your recipe for a flavorful vegetable bouillon substitute.
Another recommendation is adding a bay leaf and sprinkling seasonings like parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder to either mixture for additional flavor.
Coconut Aminos
A soy-free variation of soy sauce, coconut aminos can also be used to replace vegetable bouillon. Follow the instructions provided under “Soy Sauce” for a delicious and easy vegetable bouillon substitute.
Liquid Aminos
Having a similar flavor and appearance to soy sauce, liquid aminos can also be used to replace vegetable bouillon. Follow the instructions provided under “Soy Sauce” for a delicious and easy vegetable bouillon substitute.
Steak Sauce
This flavorful sauce can also be a great substitute for vegetable bouillon in recipes catered by its impactful savory flavor.
If you are merely replacing the vegetable bouillon cube in a recipe that does not require to be diluted in a recipe, replace the one vegetable bouillon cube with one teaspoon of steak sauce.
If the recipe calls for diluting the vegetable bouillon cube with water, substitute with one tablespoon of steak sauce in one cup of water.
Combine together, mix well, and use either method in your recipe as a vegetable bouillon substitute.
Spice Mix
If the recipe calls for a vegetable bouillon cube without requiring to dilute it with water, replacing it with a spice mix can make for an easy substitute when low on time and resources. If there are no spice mixes available in your kitchen, make your own!
Here’s an example:
- 1 Teaspoon Thyme
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Celery Seed
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cumin
Combine the mixture together to thoroughly integrate. To replace one vegetable bouillon cube with a homemade spice mix, measure out one teaspoon to use. If you desire more of an impactful flavor, use one tablespoon instead.
Tomato Paste
A quick and easy way to substitute for vegetable bouillon, tomato paste can make for a delicious vegan and vegetarian-friendly substitute.
As tomato paste is a thick paste, it’s recommended to water down the tomato paste with hot water. Add one can of tomato paste to one cup of water. Mix well. Use this mixture to replace one vegetable bouillon cube that calls to be diluted with water in a recipe.
If the recipe simply calls for one vegetable bouillon cube without requiring it to be diluted with water, just add the tomato paste. For added flavor, sprinkle in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasoning of your choice to taste.
Nutritional Yeast
A magnificent source of B vitamins, protein, and trace minerals, nutritional yeast can be used to make a homemade bouillon powder.
Mix with seasonings like ground turmeric, celery seeds, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and black pepper. Seal the mixture in an airtight container to use for other recipes.
Follow these measurements as a guide:
- ½ Cup Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Onion Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Turmeric
- ¼ Teaspoon Celery Salt
- ⅛ Teaspoon Black Pepper
To replace one vegetable bouillon cube, use one tablespoon of the mixture plus one cup of hot water.
Miso Paste
Made from fermented soybeans, miso paste belies a salt umami flavor used in more than a few Japanese dishes. It is vegan and vegetarian-friendly and usually already seasoned with salt, so none will need to be added when replacing vegetable bouillon in a recipe.
One teaspoon of miso paste equates to one vegetable bouillon cube. If the recipe calls to mix the vegetable bouillon cube with hot water, continue to follow the instructions with the miso paste replacement.
Non-Vegetarian Vegetable Bouillon Substitutes
Beef Or Chicken Bouillon Cube
Not vegan or vegetarian-friendly, beef or chicken bouillon cubes can be an easy and simple replacement for vegetable bouillon if you desire beef or chicken flavor in your recipe.
Combine one cup of plain water with one beef or chicken bouillon cube to replace one vegetable bouillon cube that calls to be diluted with water in a recipe. If the recipe calls for one vegetable bouillon cube without diluting, use the 1:1 ratio to replace the vegetable bouillon cube with one beef or chicken bouillon cube.
Chicken or Beef Broth
If you aren’t looking for a vegan or vegetarian-friendly substitution, chicken or beef broth can be substituted for vegetable bouillon cubes that are called to be diluted in a recipe. More flavorful than beef stock or chicken stock, which can also be used as a substitution if desired, these animal-based products can be a flavorful alternative.
A chicken broth substitute will cater to more of a poultry-rich flavor, while a beef broth substitute will contain a more “beefy” taste. These types of broth can be simple replacements for vegetable bouillon cubes that are called to be diluted in a recipe, but if you are vegan or vegetarian, they may not be best suited for you as they contain animal products.
One cup of broth, chicken or beef broth, will replace one vegetable bouillon cube that is called to be diluted with one cup of water.
White Wine
As not all white wine is vegan or vegetarian-friendly, it has been listed under this section rather than the first section. White wine can be used to replace vegetable bouillon in a recipe that calls for the cube to be diluted with water.
To replace the vegetable bouillon with white wine in a recipe, use ¼ cup of white wine, and dilute it with ¾ cup of water.
One vegetable bouillon cube mixed with one cup of water should be replaced by one full cup mixture of white wine and water.
Red Wine
Enhancing to boast an amazing flavor and color in recipes, red wine, like white wine, is a common staple in most households. This ingredient is best used to replace vegetable bouillon cubes that are instructed to be diluted with water for a recipe.
We recommend following the same ratio instructions as given above for the white wine.
Do you have any other tried and true substitution recommendations? Please let me know in the comments!
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