If you don’t have beef broth on hand or want to avoid using animal products, there are several tasty substitutes you can use in place of beef broth in savory dishes and soups. The key is to find an alternative that provides a similar rich, meaty flavor and body.
Quick Answer
Some common substitutes for beef broth include:
- Vegetable broth
- Mushroom broth
- A mix of vegetable broth and tomato paste
- Beef-flavored bouillon cubes or powder
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Marmite or Vegemite
- Miso paste
- Nutritional yeast
- Roasted vegetables
- Sautéed mushrooms
Vegetable Broth
Plain vegetable broth is one of the easiest swaps for beef broth. Look for low-sodium vegetable broth and use it in a 1:1 ratio when substituting for beef broth in recipes. The vegetables and savory herbs used to make vegetable broth mimic some of the deeper notes in beef broth.
For a closer flavor match, try adding a splash of soy sauce, miso paste, tomato paste, or nutritional yeast to vegetable broth. Thisadds more umami flavor. Sautéed mushrooms or onions also enhance the savory taste.
Try this
Sauté 1 cup sliced mushrooms and 1 small diced onion in 1 tsp olive oil until softened. Add 4 cups vegetable broth and 1 Tbsp tomato paste. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Mushroom Broth
Like vegetable broth, mushroom broth provides rich, savory flavor. It has an especially deep, earthy taste thanks to the mushrooms. Use mushroom broth in a 1:1 ratio when replacing beef broth.
To give it more body, try whisking a bit of cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or soy sauce into the mushroom broth before using.
Try this
Whisk 1 Tbsp cornstarch into 4 cups mushroom broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Vegetable Broth + Tomato Paste
For more richness, you can fortify vegetable broth with tomato paste. The concentrated umami flavor of tomato paste nicely replicates the meaty notes in beef broth.
Try whisking 1 to 2 Tbsp tomato paste per cup of vegetable broth. Start with less and add more to taste if you want a deeper meaty flavor.
Try this
Whisk 2 Tbsp tomato paste into 4 cups vegetable broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Beef-Flavored Bouillon
Bouillon cubes or powdered bouillon are easy flavor enhancers. Look for vegetarian beef-flavored bouillon made without animal products.
Use bouillon according to package directions, substituting water with vegetable or mushroom broth for a more robust foundation. Bouillon amplifies the savory taste.
Try this
Dissolve 2 beef-flavored bouillon cubes in 4 cups hot vegetable broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Soy Sauce or Tamari
The rich umami flavor of soy sauce or tamari is a quick way to replicate the meaty taste of beef broth. Use it sparingly as the salty flavor can become overpowering.
Start with 1 to 2 tsp soy sauce or tamari per cup of vegetable broth. For dishes like gravy or stew that will simmer for a while, use just 1 tsp per cup as the flavor concentrates.
Try this
Stir 2 tsp soy sauce or tamari into 4 cups vegetable broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Marmite or Vegemite
These savory, concentrated yeast extracts provide intense umami flavor when used in moderation. Add just 1⁄2 to 1 tsp marmite or vegemite per cup of broth.
Whisk the yeast extract into hot broth until smooth. Start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. A little goes a long way!
Try this
Whisk 1 tsp marmite into 4 cups hot vegetable broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Miso Paste
Miso paste is a fermented soybean condiment that gives broth a wonderful savory essence. It has less sodium than soy sauce.
For miso broth, whisk together 1 Tbsp miso paste with 1 cup hot vegetable broth until smooth. Thin with additional broth to reach the consistency you need.
Try this
Whisk 4 Tbsp miso paste into 4 cups hot vegetable broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast with a flavor reminiscent of cheese. It provides umami flavor and thickens broth slightly.
Try whisking 1 to 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast into each cup of vegetable broth. Start with less and adjust to taste.
Try this
Whisk 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast into 4 cups vegetable broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
Roasted Vegetables
For homemade vegetable broth, roast vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and tomatoes before simmering to extract maximum flavor. Roasted veggies impart natural sweetness and richness.
Try this
| Vegetable | Amount |
|---|---|
| Onion | 1 large, chopped |
| Carrots | 3 large, chopped |
| Celery | 2 stalks, chopped |
| Cremini mushrooms | 8 oz, sliced |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, minced |
Toss chopped vegetables and garlic with 2 Tbsp olive oil. Roast at 400°F for 45 minutes, until browned. Transfer to a large pot and add 7 cups water. Simmer for 1 hour. Strain and use in place of beef broth.
Sautéed Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms are a quick way to add meaty flavor to broth. Choose hearty mushrooms like cremini, portobello, or shiitake.
Try sautéing 1 to 2 cups sliced mushrooms in olive oil or vegan butter until deeply browned. Add directly to broths, stews, and gravies for a flavor boost.
Try this
Sauté 1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms in 1 tsp olive oil. Add to 4 cups vegetable broth. Use in place of 4 cups beef broth.
DIY Beef Broth Substitute
For an easy homemade beef broth substitute, sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, celery, and mushrooms to build a flavor foundation. Then simmer with tomatoes, red wine, and herbs for well-rounded flavor.
Use this broth anywhere you’d use beef broth for rich, savory taste without the meat.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
- 8 cups water
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and garlic for 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, red wine, bay leaves, thyme, and soy sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour in water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour with the lid slightly ajar.
- Remove from heat and discard bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Blend with an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth.
- Use in any recipe that calls for beef broth. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Store-Bought Beef Broth Alternatives
There are also many store-bought beef broth alternatives made without animal products. Look for them at well-stocked grocery stores, health food stores, or online.
Types of Store-Bought Alternatives
- Vegetable broths – Choose low-sodium options. Many brands make beef-flavored vegetable broths.
- Mushroom broths – These offer especially rich, savory flavor.
- Beefless broths – Specialty brands like Better Than Bouillon make vegetarian no-beef bases.
- Soy sauces – Lower-sodium options work well. Choose tamari for a wheat-free option.
- Yeast extracts – Marmite, Vegemite, and other yeast extracts provide umami flavor when used sparingly.
As with homemade broth, you can always enhance store-bought vegetable broths with extras like sautéed mushrooms, miso, or tomato paste.
Recommended Store-Bought Broths
| Brand | Product |
|---|---|
| Better Than Bouillon | No Beef Base |
| Edward & Sons | Not-Beef Bouillon Cubes |
| Knorr | Beef Flavored Vegetable Bouillon Cubes |
| Mighty Broth Co | Beefless Bone Broth |
| Pacific Foods | Organic Beefless Broth |
| Massel | Bouillon Gluten Free Low Sodium Beef Flavor |
Tips for Cooking
When cooking with beef broth substitutes, keep these tips in mind:
- Taste and adjust seasoning as you go. You may need extra herbs or seasoning compared to beef broth.
- If the flavor seems flat, enhance it with tomato paste, red wine, sautéed mushrooms, miso, or soy sauce.
- For thicker body, whisk in a slurry of cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca starch.
- Onion and garlic powders also boost the savory flavor.
- Let dishes with substituted broth simmer for a while so flavors can develop and meld.
- Roasting vegetable broth ingredients before simmering brings out more flavor.
Sample Recipe Substitutions
To give you an idea of how to tweak recipes, here are some beef broth substitutions in popular dishes:
Beef Stew
Instead of beef broth, use mushroom broth plus 1 Tbsp tomato paste per cup of broth. Sauté the vegetables and sear meat substitutes in olive oil for deeper flavor.
Pot Roast
Substitute vegetable broth enhanced with 2 Tbsp miso paste per cup of broth. Add 1⁄2 cup red wine for richness.
Beef Gravy
Use equal parts mushroom broth and vegetable broth. Whisk in tapioca starch to thicken. Sauté mushrooms for flavor.
French Onion Soup
Caramelize plenty of onions well in olive oil first. Then use vegetable broth plus 1 tsp soy sauce per cup of broth.
Conclusion
With so many tasty options like vegetable broth, mushroom broth, miso paste, bouillon, soy sauce, and more, you can easily recreate the savory flavor of beef broth in plant-based recipes. The ingredients above can bring just as much richness, depth, and umami flavor to your cooking without using meat.
Experiment with different broth ratios and flavor enhancers like tomatoes, red wine, roasted veggies, and sautéed mushrooms to make beefy broth substitutes perfect for any dish. With the right homemade or store-bought substitutes and seasonings, you won’t miss the beef broth at all.