When you are in a pinch or just want a healthy chicken broth substitute this homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder is the ideal staple to keep in the pantry! It is easy to make, keeps for months, and has more flavor than store-bought stock. This easy recipe for vegan chicken bouillon is also low carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, low fat, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Need a Chicken Broth Substitute? Make Easy Bouillon Powder
The first time I tried nutritional yeast I couldn't believe how much flavor it had and how much it tasted like chicken broth. It was uncanny! If you haven't tried it before you'll be pleasantly surprised with this homemade chicken bouillon substitute.
Over the last few weeks, I've been testing this natural chicken broth substitute in all the recipes I'd normally use bouillon paste or chicken broth. It works amazingly well!
Last night was one of those nights I was in the kitchen at 5 wondering what on earth I was going to cook for dinner. All of the meat in the house was frozen and my husband was stopping home to pick up a few of the kids for dental check-ups so he wouldn't be around to help. Thank God for the invention of the electric pressure cooker! I pulled out the Instant Pot, filled it with frozen chicken thighs, and turned to manual high for 15 minutes.
Then I sat down to nurse the toddler who promptly fell asleep on my lap. I heard the Instant Pot beep in the other room at some point but just stayed with my little one enjoying the time with my feet up while I did a little early Christmas shopping via Amazon.
When the baby woke up I took the chicken out of the Instant Pot, added some of this chicken broth powder to the cooking liquid, threw in some baby spinach, and then add back half the chicken (now shredded). The family had the choice between chicken soup and using the rest of the shredded chicken for tacos.
Considering all the soup had in it was cooked chicken, spinach, and this bouillon powder it was delicious. My husband raved about it.
How to make Chicken Bouillon Powder from Scratch
To make bouillon powder you just need some herbs and seasonings, salt, and a nifty ingredient called nutritional yeast. You add all of these to a food processor and blender and blend until you have a fine powder.
What is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, often a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is sold commercially as a food product. It is sold in the form of flakes or as a yellow powder and can be found in the bulk aisle of most natural food stores. Wikipedia
Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. My mom is a vegetarian and can have trouble getting enough protein in. This is an easy way she can add a little non-animal protein to her foods.
Herbs for Chicken Soup and Chicken Broth
There are dozens of common herbs that taste nice in a chicken broth. You'll find Rosemary Chicken Soup, Tarragon Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup with Thyme, and dozens of other recipes if you search for them. I used three of my family's favorite herbs in this chicken broth substitute: rosemary, oregano, and basil. These are all found easily in any grocery store and are generally inexpensive. They give a nice herby taste to the broth when you make it.
How to make chicken broth with bouillon powder
Once you've made bouillon powder it just takes a few seconds to turn it into a broth. Simple stir some into hot water. The amount you will want will vary on how you are going to use the broth and your own taste buds. My first few tries at figuring out the ratio of powder to water made a broth that was way too salty. I cut back on the bouillon powder and it was perfect.
Recipes to use this Chicken Broth Powder:
Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup with Bacon
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 cups nutritional yeast
- â…“ cup salt ***
- ¼ cup garlic powder
- ¼ cup onion powder
- ¼ cup dried basil
- ¼ cup dried oregano
- ¼ cup dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until it is a fine powder.
- To make broth: use 1 tablespoon bouillon powder per 8 oz hot water
Rhonda says
I was just thinking of what I could come up with as an alternative to the store-bought, as we're going to be experiencing shortages because of supply chain interruptions, after watching a youtube video that used bouillon powder as part of their freeze-dried food storage using a commercial freeze-dried product. I have my own freeze-dryer, so I don't want to buy the manufacturer they recommended, but use my own meat, produce, dairy, et al, to freeze-dry as I grow and produce my own. And the very next day, this pops up in my Pinterest recommendations! Thank you! Now, off to find the nutritional yeast!
Julie says
Just made up a batch of this powder, Taryn. It smells soo good! Just double checking that you use a tablespoon per 8 ounces of liquid, and not a teaspoon. With store bought, it's a teaspoon, correct? Thank you for this recipe! Look forward to trying more of your creations! God bless!
Taryn says
You can add it to taste. But, yes, I normally use 1 tablespoon per cup of water.
Lisa says
Ran out of chicken broth and this recipe saved me. It was better flavor than the regular chicken broth I use. Love that it’s vegan too. Thank you.
Suzi says
I made this when I was out of chicken broth and didn’t have any bouillon. I will never buy either of those again. I will keep this made up and only use it.
J-Grace Johnston says
I used this mix as a broth with zucchini noodles, chopped red pepper, onions, carrots and celery. On the side I had roasted chicken dummies. I will be adding this broth to all of my veggies dishes from now on. It was smooth and comforting. I love that it's also low in sodium.
Caroline C says
How would you sub this as a "chicken bullion cube"? Making fried rice and they use a cube..I have this on hand but not sure the equvalence? Should I add water and make it like a paste and add 1 TBSP as a paste??
Taryn says
That's a good idea. I normally just add it as powder. Up to you, I think both ways work.
Charley says
Excellent chicken bouillon.
I would definitely cut the pepper in half the next batch though.
Kathie says
OMG. I never leave comments on recipes, this is my first time. But I felt I had to say how amazing this recipe is! I’m not vegan, but I will definitely be using this as a healthy replacement for my regular chicken bouillon! Thank you!