Chicken broth is an ingredient that’s been a favorite in our kitchens for many years. The broth can be used in many dishes, stews, and soups. From vegetables to rice, chicken broth plays an immense role in fortifying food with flavor, raising a regular meal to become the ultimate dish.
All cooks at some stage will have encountered various types of broth. Are you wondering if the condensed chicken broth is any different from a regular chicken broth? The short answer is, yes, it is.
Both varieties have definite benefits and best uses, and we’ll be taking you through everything that you need to know in our upcoming comparison of condensed chicken broth vs. chicken broth.
Condensed Chicken Broth Vs. Chicken Broth Comparison
| Condensed Chicken Broth | Chicken Broth | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Commercially Produced Concentrated Chicken Broth With All Water Reduced Out | Savory Soup Made From White Meat Only Combined With Vegetables, Herbs And Seasoning |
| Saltiness | Bold Saltiness That Balanced When Reconstituted With Water | Balanced Saltiness Equivalent To Reconstituted Condensed Chicken Broth |
| Intensity | Concentrated Flavor With High Intensity | Balanced Intensity Equivalent To Reconstituted Condensed Chicken Broth |
| Method | Strong Stock Created By Boiling Up Meat, Vegetables And Seasoning | Once Ideal Flavor Reached, All Water Reduced Away By Simmering Over An Extended Period | Chicken, Carrots, Onions, Celery Salt And Herbs (Parsley, Thyme, Bay Leaf, Rosemary, Sage) Added To Roasted Chicken And Brought To The Boil Thenb Allowed TO Simmer Until Done |
| Best Uses | Making Soup, Flavor & Texture Enhancer - Stews, Casseroles, Sauces | Making Soup, Flavor & Texture Enhancer - Stews, Casseroles And Sauces |
| Substitutes | Chicken Broth, Chicken Stock, Multiple Bullion Cubes | Condensed Chicken Broth, Buillon Cube, Beef Broth, Vegetable Broth, Canned Chicken Broth, Aquafaba, Water |
Condensed Chicken Broth Vs. Chicken Broth
Even though both condensed chicken broth and chicken broth end up as a similar final product, they’re distinctly different, and we have all the info you need to know coming up.
Condensed Chicken Broth
Packed with flavor, highly affordable, and extremely convenient, condensed chicken broth is something that every cook should keep on hand for those times when you need a potent boost of flavor without all the hassle of cooking up a broth from scratch.
What Is Condensed Chicken Broth?
Condensed chicken broth is commercially produced chicken broth made from chicken flesh, herbs, salt, and vegetables reduced to the point where the mix no longer has any water left in its composition.
The intensified, condensed broth is canned and intended to be reconstituted with water to reach the original flavor and consistency attained before cooking away the water.
Saltiness
Due to being condensed, the saltiness and flavor of the broth are much stronger than regular chicken broth. A condensed chicken broth can will probably be saltier than you need unless it has already been reconstituted by mixing it with water.
Intensity
Condensed chicken broth will always be more intense than regular chicken broth, regardless of the individual ingredients included in the broth.
In its condensed form straight out of the can, you can expect far bolder flavors, greater saltiness, and an almost jelly-like consistency.
Method
All varieties of condensed soup are made by reducing a rich fully-cooked soup to at least half its water content. Reducing away the water intensifies the saltiness, flavor, and texture.
Essentially, a strong stock that’s very similar to a sauce is created by boiling up meat, vegetables, and other ingredients and then simmering the mixture until a paste is reached. Once no water is left, the soup is classed as condensed and dispensed into cans.
Best Uses
The first and most obvious use for condensed chicken broth is making chicken soup. All the condensed broth need is water and a few minutes on the stove to be reconstituted into soup. Condensed broth is also a fantastic flavor enhancer for stews, casseroles, and various sauces.
Substitutes
The best substitute for condensed chicken broth is a well-reduced homemade chicken broth. If this isn’t available, chicken stock is your next best option.
Otherwise, opt for chicken bullion dissolved in water, but we advise boiling the mixture for a few minutes to ensure that the flavors infuse properly.
Many find that they need a stock made from two bullion cubes or double the amount of powder to reach a similar intensity to condensed broth.
Chicken Broth
Regular chicken broth is just like the condensed form but with considerable water content. While similar to a stock, broth is preferred by many for its silky smooth texture. Let’s take a closer look at chicken broth, how its best used, and how it differs from its condensed counterpart.
What Is Chicken Broth?
Chicken broth is a savory soup that is made using chicken flesh, unlike chicken stock which is normally made with white meat and bones, as well as various types of herbs and seasonings.
The lack of bones and connective tissue gives chicken broth a much smoother consistency than stock which many prefer for soups, stews, and casseroles thanks to never changing the texture of the meal.
Saltiness
As compared to condensed chicken broth, chicken broth isn’t as salty. A good chicken broth will have light saltiness that’s equal to condensed chicken broth when reconstituted with the right volume of water.
Intensity
When one makes a chicken broth at home, the intensity of flavor is normally far milder than condensed chicken broth due to the extended reduction period that commercially produced products undergo.
Method
A homemade broth is generally far tastier than anything store-bought. The ingredients you will need are chicken (of course), carrots, onions, celery, salt, and the herbs and spices preferred, but only if they’re essential to the recipe.
Most cooks omit spices in favor of herbs like parsley, thyme, bay leaf, rosemary, and sage. Spices can change the flavor profile too much in many cases. First, roast the chicken to eliminate excess fat.
Slice off the white meat, saute the vegetables and then bring the combination to a boil in a pot of water. Boil for anything between 30 minutes to 2 hours, then allow the mixture to cool before freezing, and you’ve got homemade chicken broth good to go.
Another way to make homemade condensed chicken broth is to combine one tablespoon of dried chicken broth with 1 cup of boiled water. You will get a solution that is similar in consistency to condensed chicken broth.
Those with more time on their hands can simmer away this solution until most of the moisture is gone and the flavor has intensified. Use the required amount for your recipe and save the rest.
Best Uses
Use chicken broth as a base for a hearty soup. It can be used in any way that you’d use condensed chicken broth but doesn’t need to be reconstituted first unless you’ve taken the time to reduce the broth over an extended period.
Add homemade chicken broth to stews, casseroles, and sauces, just be sure to use it sparingly, or you’ll end up with too much liquid in your meal.
Substitutes
If you’re all out of either variety, resort to using any of these reliable substitutes for chicken broth, and you can’t go wrong.
A bouillon cube of any flavor, but ideally chicken, is a 1:1 replacement for chicken broth. Just mix the cube with boiling water and use it as a substitute for chicken broth.
- Beef Broth
Beef broth is similar to chicken broth in taste and consistency, making it a great alternative. Just consider whether or not the beefiness will offset the flavor of your meal first.
- Vegetable Broth
The best alternative for vegans is, of course, a good vegetable broth. Just keep in mind that chicken broth is typically richer and saltier to adjust your recipe accordingly.
Opt for a vegetable broth that includes carrots, onions, and herbs but doesn’t over boil the veggies when making it at home, or you’ll destroy the nutritional value and impair the flavor.
- Non-Condensed Chicken Broth
A regular can of chicken broth is a great substitute. Pay attention to the moisture content of whatever you’re making. More water will probably be needed when using this alternative.
- ChickPea Liquid (Aquafaba)
Use the liquid from a drained can of chickpeas or other beans. This liquid known as aquafaba is a thickener texture enhancer, and it grants a savory flavor boost to whatever you’re making. Use aquafaba in a 1:1 ratio as a replacement for chicken broth.
- Water
There won’t be any flavor lift but a little water infused with herbs and spices makes a worthy substitute for chicken broth in a pinch.
What Is The Difference Between Condensed Chicken Broth And Chicken Broth?
The main difference between condensed chicken broth and chicken broth is that condensed chicken broth has been simmered at a low temperature, otherwise known as reduced until all of its water has evaporated and the broth has intensified to a jelly-like consistency for later reconstitution, whereas chicken broth includes water and is ready to use with a soup-like consistency.
Which Is Best Between Condensed Chicken Broth Vs. Chicken Broth?
When it comes to a winner between condensed chicken broth vs. chicken broth, it all depends on the exact ingredients in question and the broth’s individual flavor.
Overall, a homemade chicken broth generally tastes more wholesome than anything canned, but unless you’ve got broth frozen and ready, nothing can compare to the convenience of condensed chicken broth.
It’s the quickest way to whip up soup or add great flavor to other meals without needing any pre-preparation.
