If you're looking to save time and money when cooking, it's time to look into making your own chicken stock with cubes.
You can use these cubes in almost any recipe that calls for chicken stock. They're also a great way to add extra flavour to your dinner.
Why would you need chicken stock?
Chicken stock is a staple of the culinary world. It is used in everything from soups and sauces to stews, gravies, and more.
Chicken stock is one of the easiest things to make at home, but it's also very easy to buy in stores.
However, if you're looking for an alternative, or if you want to make sure that your chicken stock is truly homemade and from scratch, then this post is for you.
I'll go over some of the benefits of making your own chicken stock, as well as how easy it can be.
Benefits of making your own chicken stock
Stock is the foundation of many a hearty and delicious soup, stew, or grain bowl. Making your own stock means that you control what goes into it. Here's why I think making your chicken stock is worth it.
1. It's easy to make your own
Making chicken stock is easy. You can make it in a slow cooker, on the stove, or in an Instant Pot. For those of you unfamiliar with the Instant Pot, it's a kitchen appliance that combines all of your cooking techniques into one machine: slow cooker, pressure cooker, and rice cooker (among others).
2. Homemade stock is fresh and flavourful
Homemade stock is fresh and flavourful. You can use fresh herbs and spices, which infuse your dish with tons of flavour. Fresh vegetables add a lot of depth and complexity to the stock as well.
3. You can control what goes into your stock
Making your own chicken stock is a great way to control the ingredients.
When you make your own stock, you can choose what goes into it—and that means organic vegetables, herbs, spices, and chicken. You can use locally sourced ingredients if possible too.
4. You can add or omit ingredients to suit your needs and tastes
You can easily tailor the flavour and nutrition of your chicken stock to fit your needs and tastes.
For example, you may wish to reduce the amount of salt in your broth if you are trying to cut back on sodium in your diet. Or maybe you would like to add more vegetables or herbs for a richer taste.
Nutritional information on chicken stock
In one cup of chicken stock you'll find the following nutrients:
Calories: 86
Protein: 6g
Carbohydrates: 8.5g
Fat: 2.9g
Can you make stock with cubes?
You can use bouillon cubes to make broth that is used in recipes for chicken stews and soups. It's faster than cooking the broth from scratch since you don't need to put together the ingredients and cook them.
How to make chicken stock using cubes
Making chicken stock is an easy process, but it's also time-consuming. If you're in a hurry, or just don't have the time to make your own stock, you can also use store-bought chicken stock cubes.
Here are a few tips for using them:
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water (or follow package instructions)
- One bouillon cube
Instructions
STEP 1
Add water to a saucepan and bring the water to a boil.
STEP 2
After boils, crush the bouillon cube and add it to water.
STEP 3
Stir the mixture until the cube is completely dissolved.
Is chicken stock Vegan?
Although the chicken stock has a delicious flavour and can be used in chicken bouillon and chicken stew, it's not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Is Stock Cube Vegan?
Knorr vegetable stock cubes can be prepared in just one go, and they have a delicious taste that is gluten-free for vegans.
Are Knorr stock cubes Vegan?
Knorr Vegetable Stock Cubes are vegan, gluten-free, and contain sustainably grown vegetables for a rich flavour foundation to your meal.
Does a Vegan diet limit your nutrition?
A vegan diet excludes some sources of nutrients, so it is important to eat a wide variety of foods to avoid nutritional deficiencies. People who adopt a vegan diet should consult with their doctor or a dietitian before doing so, especially if they have a health condition.
How do you use chicken broth cubes?
Bouillon cubes can be used to add a layer of meatiness or umami flavour to sauces, or they can be used in bouillons that are boiled to add flavour. Bouillon granules are also available in powders, which are incorporated into salts and seasonings in the food.
What are chicken stock cubes made of?
Traditionally, chicken bouillon is a stock that has been cooked down to turn it into a granular form. Chicken bouillon cubes typically contain dehydrated meat and seasonings like parsley or turmeric, as well as an array of other ingredients. It may also contain MonoSodium glutamate or MSG, which enhances the flavours of some recipes.
How long can you keep chicken stock cubes?
When properly stored, chicken stock cubes will stay at their best quality for about two years. To maximize the shelf life of opened chicken stock cubes, keep the package tightly closed.
What can I do with a lot of chicken stock?
You've got a quart of chicken stock sitting around, and it's calling your name. What do you do? Stock is one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen, and it can last for up to a week in the fridge (or longer if you freeze it). Are you ready to put that extra chicken stock to work? Let's get started.
1. Make soup
Soup is a great way to use up lots of chicken stock. You can make soup from almost any ingredients you have in the fridge, so it's perfect for using up leftovers. In fact, soups are so easy to make that they're often one of the first things people learn how to cook as kids.
2. Freeze it
If you have a lot of stock, you might consider freezing it. When frozen in an ice cube tray, chicken stock can be conveniently used as needed in soups and stews. It's also a good idea to store some of your broth cubes in the freezer so that they're handy when an impromptu dinner invitation arises.
When using frozen stock cubes, don't let them melt completely before adding them to a dish—just let them sit out long enough for the cube edges to soften and then pop them into your pot or saucepan right away.
3. Make a sauce
A good way to use a lot of chicken stock is to make a sauce out of it. You can do this by adding herbs, spices, and other ingredients.
For example, if you have some leftover vegetables from your grocery shopping (like carrots), add them along with the herbs into your pot of boiling water.
Add salt and pepper if desired as well as any other spice or herb that you like. Once these ingredients are cooked, strain them through a fine-mesh strainer so that only the liquid remains in the pot, then use this liquid as an ingredient for your sauce.
You can also use this liquid to make soup bases! Just add in some more stock or water depending on how thickly you want it to be.
4. Roast vegetables
Roasting vegetables is a great option for using up leftover chicken stock. The heat of the oven brings out their natural sweetness, making them extra delicious. Roasting can also be a healthy alternative to frying, as it involves less fat and oil (if you're using olive oil).
You can roast any kind of vegetable you want, but some common choices include:
- Carrots
- Bell peppers
- Celery root (celeriac)
Roasted vegetables make excellent side dish for soups or chicken stew, but they're also good on their own with some salt and pepper.
5. Make risotto
You can use a lot of chicken stock in risotto. Risotto is a great way to use up excess stock, and it's an easy way to incorporate vegetables into your cooking without them getting lost in the mix. Just think of how many different types of rice you can add to it! You could also try adding other ingredients like fresh herbs, mushrooms, or even cheese. If you have some extra time on your hands why not make risotto as part of your meal prep for the week?
6. Use it to cook potatoes or other vegetables
Chicken stock can be used to make a delicious potato soup or stew. The cooking time will vary depending on the number of potatoes you use and how much chicken stock you add. You may even want to make a double batch of chicken stock so that you have enough for this recipe.
How do you use knorr chicken stock cubes?
First, you can dissolve one cube in 450 ml of boiling water. This will give you enough liquid to add to your dish as needed. Alternatively, you can mix one cube with a little olive oil and rub onto meat before cooking it. This adds flavour and helps the meat stay moist during the cooking process.
Alternatively, you can just add one or two cubes directly into your dish while cooking it. This is especially good if you're making soup or stew.