Chicken broth is a versatile and flavorful liquid that forms the basis for many soups, stews, gravies, and sauces. Knowing how much a cup of chicken broth equals in ounces, grams, or other measurements can be useful when following recipes. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of how much 1 cup of chicken broth equals in various units.
What is Chicken Broth?
Chicken broth is made by simmering chicken bones, meat, and vegetables in water for an extended period of time. This allows the chicken flavor and nutrients to infuse into the water. The solids are then strained out, leaving behind a tasty, golden colored liquid.
Some key characteristics of chicken broth include:
- Savory, chicken flavor
- Aromatic vegetables like celery, carrots, onions
- Golden color from bones and meat
- Gelatin and collagen from bones give broth body
- Minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium
Chicken broth is valued in cooking for its ability to add rich umami flavor to dishes. It also contains gelatin from animal bones, which gives it a velvety mouthfeel. The vegetables and spices used in chicken broth provide additional layers of flavor.
Nutrition Facts in 1 Cup of Chicken Broth
Chicken broth made from scratch is low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals. The exact nutrition will vary based on the ingredients used. Here are some general nutrition facts for 1 cup (240 ml) of homemade chicken broth:
- Calories: 45
- Fat: 2.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Calcium: 15 mg
- Potassium: 240 mg
- Selenium: 14 mcg
- Phosphorus: 25 mg
As you can see, chicken broth made from scratch is low in calories, fat, and carbs. It provides a good amount of protein. It also contains minerals like calcium, potassium, selenium, and phosphorus.
How Much Does 1 Cup of Chicken Broth Weigh?
The weight of 1 cup of chicken broth depends on factors like:
- Ingredients used
- Simmering time
- Fat skimmed off the top
- Amount of water added
On average, 1 cup of homemade chicken broth weighs:
- Ounces: 8 oz (240 ml = 8 oz)
- Grams: 240 grams (240 ml = 240 grams)
This is the typical weight for 1 liquid cup of any broth. However, commercial canned or boxed broths may weigh slightly less due to additional water content.
Ounces
There are 8 fluid ounces (oz) in 1 standard measuring cup. So 1 cup of chicken broth weighs 8 oz. This is an easy reference to remember.
Grams
There are approximately 240 grams (g) in 1 cup of liquid. So 1 cup of chicken broth weighs about 240 grams.
Chicken Broth Measurement Conversions
Knowing how to convert between cups, fluid ounces, milliliters, and grams of chicken broth is useful for recipes. Here are some common chicken broth conversion measurements:
| 1 Cup Chicken Broth | 8 oz | 240 ml | 240 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Fluid Ounce | 1 oz | 30 ml | 30 g |
| 1 Tablespoon | 0.5 oz | 15 ml | 15 g |
| 1 Teaspoon | 0.17 oz | 5 ml | 5 g |
This conversion chart shows how cups, ounces, milliliters, and grams relate for chicken broth amounts.
Cups to Ounces
There are 8 fluid ounces in 1 cup of chicken broth. To convert:
- 1 cup = 8 oz
- 0.5 cups = 4 oz
- 0.25 cups = 2 oz
Cups to Milliliters
There are 240 milliliters in 1 cup of chicken broth. To convert:
- 1 cup = 240 ml
- 0.5 cups = 120 ml
- 0.25 cups = 60 ml
Cups to Grams
There are about 240 grams in 1 cup of chicken broth. To convert:
- 1 cup = 240 g
- 0.5 cups = 120 g
- 0.25 cups = 60 g
Ounces to Milliliters
There are 30 mL in 1 fluid ounce of chicken broth:
- 8 oz = 240 mL
- 4 oz = 120 mL
- 2 oz = 60 mL
Ounces to Grams
There are about 30 grams in 1 fluid ounce of chicken broth:
- 8 oz = 240 g
- 4 oz = 120 g
- 2 oz = 60 g
Milliliters to Grams
There is typically 1 gram per 1 mL of chicken broth:
- 240 mL = 240 g
- 120 mL = 120 g
- 60 mL = 60 g
Chicken Broth Substitutions
In some cases, you may need to substitute chicken broth for another liquid in a recipe. Here are some suitable substitutions:
| 1 Cup Chicken Broth | Substitution |
|---|---|
| Vegetable broth | 1 cup |
| Beef broth | 1 cup |
| Water or stock | 1 cup + chicken bouillon cube |
| Non-dairy milk | 1 cup milk + 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules |
Vegetable and beef broths can substitute 1:1 for chicken broth in most recipes. Water or stock plus bouillon cubes add chicken flavor. Non-dairy milk plus bouillon approximates the texture of chicken broth.
Common Uses for Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is used in a wide variety of savory dishes. Here are some of the most common uses for chicken broth:
Soups
Chicken broth is the base of many soups like chicken noodle soup, minestrone, tortilla soup, ramen, etc.
Stews and Braises
Hearty chicken stew and beef bourguignon get depth of flavor from chicken broth.
Risottos
The creamy rice in risotto absorbs chicken broth as it cooks, adding body and flavor.
Gravies and Sauces
Pan sauces and gravies are thin with chicken broth to balance the richness.
Cooking Grains
Quinoa, rice, and other grains can be cooked in chicken broth instead of water.
Deglazing
Chicken broth scrapes up flavorful browned bits when deglazing pans.
Tips for Making Chicken Broth
Homemade chicken broth tastes superior to store-bought varieties. Here are some tips for making high-quality chicken broth:
- Use bones, wings, necks for more gelatin
- Combine chicken parts with aromatics like onions, carrots, celery
- Simmer 3-4 hours to extract flavors and collagen
- Skim fat and strain broth through cheesecloth
- Let cool completely before refrigerating
- Freeze up to 3 months for later use
The most flavorful broth comes from long-simmered chicken parts. Skimming fat and straining gives a clean, tasty broth.
Conclusion
In summary, 1 cup of chicken broth typically weighs 8 oz or 240 grams. This equals 240 ml. Knowing the weight and liquid conversions of chicken broth facilitates cooking and baking. Chicken broth adds savory flavor to a variety of dishes including soups, stews, grains, gravies and more. With some aromatic vegetables and chicken parts, you can make your own flavorful chicken broth at home.