Chicken broth is a versatile and useful ingredient that can be used to enhance the flavor of many savory dishes. When you need chicken broth for a recipe, knowing what grocery store aisle it’s usually located in can save you time and frustration while shopping. So what aisle is chicken broth typically found in at the grocery store?
The Short Answer
Chicken broth is most often located in the soup aisle of the grocery store. Since chicken broth is commonly used to make soups and stews, it makes sense that it would be shelved alongside other canned or boxed broths, stocks and soup bases. The soup aisle is the first place you’ll want to check when looking for chicken broth.
Examining Grocery Store Layouts
While the soup aisle is the most common place to find chicken broth, grocery store layouts can vary. Some stores may have a designated “broth and stock” section of the soup aisle where all canned, boxed and cartoned broths are shelved together. Others may stock chicken broth in the canned vegetable aisle alongside cans of diced tomatoes, beans and other flavor boosters used in cooking. Ethnic food aisles may also carry specialized chicken broth products.
The typical supermarket layout places foods into categories for easy shopping. Some common grocery store aisles include:
- Produce
- Meat and seafood
- Dairy
- Frozen foods
- Canned goods
- Baking
- Snacks and cereal
- Soup
- Condiments and sauces
- Asian foods
- Hispanic foods
- International foods
While categories can vary between stores, most keep similar items grouped together. Since chicken broth is classified as a canned soup or stock, heading to the soup aisle is the best first step.
Types of Chicken Broth
The type of chicken broth you’re looking for can provide additional clues to where it will be shelved:
Canned Chicken Broth
Canned chicken broth, often sold in 14-15 oz cans, will almost always be found in the soup aisle. Popular brands like Swanson and Campbell’s stack their canned broth options together on the shelves for easy grabbing.
Boxed Chicken Broth
Shelf-stable boxed chicken broths are also primarily stocked in the soup aisle. Look for cartons from companies like College Inn and Kitchen Basics sitting on shelves near the canned broth.
Tetra Pak Broths
Broths sold in Tetra Pak aseptic cartons, like those from Pacific Foods, can sometimes be found in the soup aisle. But since they are refrigerated, they may also be shelved in the refrigerated section near fresh soups and broths.
Fresh Chicken Broth
Refrigerated fresh chicken broths are usually sold in the refrigerated meat section, deli section or near the fresh soups. Brands like Osso Good sell their broth chilled instead of canned or boxed. Be sure to check refrigerated options if you can’t find it with shelf-stable varieties.
Powdered Chicken Broth
Powdered chicken broth mixes may be located in the soup aisle with other chicken broth options or sometimes in the spice and seasoning section. Brands like McCormick and Knorr package dried broth in jars, cans or pouches for a long shelf life.
Concentrated Chicken Broth
Concentrated chicken broths offer an ultra-condensed broth that can be diluted before use. Concentrated broths from Better Than Bouillon are often stocked in the soup aisle. But small tubes of broth concentrates may also be merchandised by the spices.
Tips for Locating Chicken Broth
Here are some helpful tips for tracking down chicken broth when you can’t immediately spot it on the soup aisle shelves:
- Ask for assistance – Store employees are there to help and can point you right to the chicken broth section.
- Look high and low – Top and bottom shelves are easy to overlook when scanning the aisles.
- Check ethnic food aisles – International and ethnic food sections stock specialized broth products.
- Read the signs – Overhead signs will typically call out the chicken broth section.
- Try the canned goods aisle – Some stores stock it with canned vegetables instead of soups.
- Check the refrigerated section – Fresh and refrigerated broths are located by the meats or fresh soups.
- Search the spice aisle – Powdered and concentrated broths may be with spices.
Chicken Broth Uses
Understanding how chicken broth is used in cooking provides even more clues to where it will be located in stores. Here are some common uses for chicken broth:
Soups
Chicken broth is the base for many soups like chicken noodle, matzo ball soup and other classics. It provides savory flavor to soups when water won’t suffice.
Risottos
Rich and flavorful chicken broth is often used in place of water when making risottos. The broth infuses the rice with extra taste.
Stews and Braises
Hearty stews and braised meats benefit from the umami depth chicken broth adds. Browning meats and deglazing the pan with broth builds an intense foundation.
Gravies and Sauces
Pan drippings and chicken broth together make excellent gravies for chicken, pork and turkey. Broths are also commonly used to prepare sauces like veloute.
Cooking Grains and Legumes
Cooking grains like rice, quinoa and barley or legumes like beans and lentils in chicken broth instead of water imparts more flavor.
Vegetable Dishes
Chicken broth can lend a savory boost to boiled, sauteed or roasted vegetables. Everything from green beans to Brussels sprouts benefit from broth.
Casseroles and Pot Pies
Chicken broth is useful for adding moisture and flavor to casserole dishes like chicken divan or chicken pot pie fillings.
Shelf Life and Storage
Knowing how to store and prolong the shelf life of chicken broth ensures you use it while it’s fresh and flavorful. Here are some chicken broth storage tips:
- Unopened shelf-stable broth keeps 1-2 years.
- Opened chicken broth will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
- You can freeze unused chicken broth in airtight containers for 4-6 months.
- Boil broth before freezing for longer shelf life up to a year.
- Tetra Pak broths have a 9-12 month shelf life unopened.
- Refrigerated broths last 7-10 days once opened.
- Canned broth can be stored in a cool, dark pantry.
- Boxed and powdered broths can be stored at room temperature.
Properly storing chicken broth preserves freshness and prevents waste. Discard broth that smells unpleasant or looks discolored.
Pricing Factors
Chicken broth prices often vary between types, brands and package sizes. Here are some factors that affect cost:
- Canned broth is the most budget-friendly, costing $1-$3 on average per can.
- Boxed broths range from $1.50-$5 depending on brand and carton size.
- Pre-made fresh broth costs $3-$6 per container for 12-48oz.
- Concentrates offer the greatest value ounce-for-ounce but a higher upfront cost.
- Name brands are more costly than generic options.
- Larger package sizes offer a lower cost per ounce.
- Organic broth commands a higher price point than conventional.
- Specialty flavored broths cost more than plain chicken broth.
With such a wide range of pricing, it pays to compare different chicken broth options to find your preferred balance of quality and value. Store brands can offer significant savings over big name brands.
Vegetarian Chicken Broth Alternatives
Veggie broths mimic the flavor of chicken broth for vegetarian and vegan recipes. They can usually be found right alongside regular chicken broth in the soup aisle. Some vegetarian chicken broth alternatives include:
- Vegetable broth
- Mushroom broth
- Onion broth
- Garlic broth
- Celery broth
- Kombu broth
Many brands like Pacific Foods offer dedicated vegetarian and vegan broth options. Check ingredient lists to ensure there are no animal products or byproducts.
Making Your Own
For the freshest flavor and ingredients, you can easily make chicken broth at home. Simmer chicken bones, meat scraps, vegetables and herbs in water for 4-6 hours then strain. Homemade broth lasts 4 days refrigerated or months frozen.
Buying in Bulk
Large bulk sizes of chicken broth offer value for frequent use. Some ways to buy chicken broth in bulk include:
- Multi-packs of canned or boxed broth
- Larger 32-64oz cartons or jugs
- Value packs from warehouse stores
- Foodservice sizes for restaurants
Buying larger sizes when grocery shopping for the month can provide easy access to chicken broth for recipes and save repeated trips to the store.
Conclusion
Chicken broth is primarily located in the soup aisle at most grocery stores, but locations can vary. Shelf-stable canned, boxed and cartoned broths are usually all merchandised together in one spot. But also check ethnic food aisles, the spice section or refrigerated sections for certain types like concentrates, Tetra Paks or fresh broth. Understanding how chicken broth is used and shelf life rules is helpful for shopping. With a wide range of pricing from value brands to premium organic, compare options to find the perfect chicken broth fit for your cooking needs and budget.