What Tastes Better: Boxed Stock or Better Than Bouillon? (2024)

The chicken flavor was "not strong enough" in the Swanson stock, and instead tasted more vegetable-forward and "watery and murky." Carrot, celery, and onion juice concentrates make up part of the ingredients, and overshadow the taste of chicken. It lacked the body that homemade stock would, as did Better Than Bouillon. It's hard to emulate the real thing on such a large scale.

That said, Better Than Bouillon tasted "way too intense." It has the nostalgic (for some) flavor of "canned chicken noodle soup" and a ton of salt. (They do make a low-sodium version, but it isn't as widely available in grocery stores, so we tested regular.) It had a more prominent real chicken flavor, but the green-yellow hue (from added turmeric) is a little off-putting. Better Than Bouillon was the chicken winner with one caveat: never use it at full strength. The jar recommends 1 tsp. of paste to every 8 oz. of water. We'd double the amount of water to dilute it, or use a low-sodium version.

Boxed Swanson Beef Stock vs. Better Than Bouillon Beef Base

Bon Appétit does not suggest using commercial beef stock because it rarely holds a candle to the flavor of homemade, and unfortunately neither Swanson nor Better Than Bouillon changed our minds about that. The smell of both was "off-putting," but they didn't taste quite as bad as they smelled. The stock had a "flat" taste and "wasn't savory enough—almost sweet without any beefy taste or umami." The beef Better Than Bouillon had a "musty" scent and mostly tasted like salt. We think you'd be better off adding an extra short rib bone to a pot of water to impart "beefy" flavor to a soup rather than using a box of beef stock. There was no clear winner here, but if they had to choose, the Swanson stock had a slight edge in flavor.

Boxed Swanson Vegetable Broth vs. Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base

What Tastes Better: Boxed Stock or Better Than Bouillon? (2024)

FAQs

Which is better, stock or bouillon? ›

Although broth, stock and bouillon are not exactly the same, they can generally be used interchangeably in cooking. If you have the option, go for broth or bouillon when the flavour of the liquid is a key element of your recipe, and reach for stock to add new depths to a well-seasoned dish.

How much better than bouillon for 4 cups of stock? ›

If I'm cooking grains or rice in broth, for instance, I'll use a teaspoon of BTB in four cups of water, which is still plenty to lend a nice little oomph of flavor (and then you can also skip salting).

How to use better than bouillon instead of stock? ›

One teaspoon of Better Than Bouillon dissolved in 8 oz. of hot or boiling water is equal to one 8 oz. can of broth.

Why is better than bouillon better? ›

Traditional bouillon cubes and powders are packed with salt and don't bring much flavor to a recipe; Better than Bouillon flips this. Made from meat, vegetables, and spices, it brings flavor and just enough salt to enhance a dish without tipping it into over-salted territory.

When to add Better than Bouillon? ›

Sometimes homemade soup needs a flavor boost. A little Better than Bouillon dissolved into hot soup usually solves the problem. While matching the flavor base to the soup always works, try using a different base, such as beef base in chicken soup, to add a deeper flavor.

Is it better to use broth or stock in soup? ›

As a result, stock is usually a healthier product, delivering a richer mouth feel and deeper flavor than broth. Stock is a versatile culinary tool that can deliver taste to any number of dishes. Darker in color and more concentrated in flavor than broth, it's ideal for use in soups, rice, sauces and more.

How to make boxed chicken broth taste better? ›

Throw In Extra Aromatics

The base of most stocks are flavorful aromatics, like onion, carrot, and celery. An easy way to punch up the lackluster flavor of boxed stocks is by adding more of those basics. An onion sliced in half, plus a few chunks of carrots and celery can go a long way in flavoring store-bought stocks.

Do you need to refrigerate Better than Bouillon? ›

a shelf life of approximately two years starting from. the date of manufacture if properly refrigerated after. opening.

How much to use Better than Bouillon? ›

Cooking Directions:

Dissolve 1 teaspoon (equal to one bouillon cube) Turkey Base in 8 oz. boiling water. For each quart of stock needed, use 1 1/2 tablespoons Turkey Base.

Is there MSG in Better than Bouillon? ›

“Better Than Bouillon concentrated bases are made from meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables. This gives them a richer, more robust flavor than ordinary bouillons. No added MSG, low or no fat, lower sodium: Better Than Bouillon bases have 1/3 less salt than ordinary bouillons.”

Is Better than Bouillon very salty? ›

That said, Better Than Bouillon tasted "way too intense." It has the nostalgic (for some) flavor of "canned chicken noodle soup" and a ton of salt. (They do make a low-sodium version, but it isn't as widely available in grocery stores, so we tested regular.)

Does Better than Bouillon have real chicken? ›

Original Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Chicken Base is made with roasted chicken. This gives it a richer, more robust flavor than ordinary bouillons or soup stocks.

Is chicken stock healthier than bouillon? ›

It's important to note that store-bought chicken broth will likely contain much higher amounts of sodium than homemade versions. Compared to homemade chicken broth, chicken bouillon contains fewer calories, but also has lower amounts of protein and essential minerals. One cup of chicken bouillon has about: 14 calories.

Are bouillon cubes healthy? ›

Chicken bouillon is typically very high in sodium, with some types packing 42% of the recommended daily value (DV) in a single 1-cup (237-mL) serving ( 1 ). Consuming high amounts of sodium may increase water retention and blood pressure levels, especially in those who are more sensitive to the effects of salt ( 2 ).

Which is healthier, stock or broth? ›

And the Winner Is..

Stock! Whether homemade or store-bought it has more protein and usually less sodium per serving as compared to broth. Plus, the flavor is just better which means you'll start with something tastier and will hopefully use less salt to taste at the end.

Who makes Better than Bouillon? ›

Find your favorite flavor today – and no matter what you're making, make it better. Better Than Bouillon is a brand of Summit Hill Foods – a fourth-generation family business located in Rome, Georgia, and a valued supplier to the food industry, serving a national customer base.

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