ISO: Opinions on canned/boxed vegetable broth

[HRJ]

There seems to be a huge variety in the taste/quality/makeup of the various brands of canned/boxed vegetable broths -- and, for some reason, I never can seem to keep track of which ones I like. Some are more "tomately" than others; some have this kind of thick, yellow-orange coloring; some are more like "vegetable soup" and really overpower whatever else I'm making. Whenever I open a box, it seems like I'm never sure what I'm going to be getting.

So, what are your impressions of the various ready-made vegetable broths? Favorites? Ones you really dislike? (I'm particularly interested in ones with lower sodium content and/or organic).

I seem to remember that Cook's Illustrated did a taste-test on these a while back, but I don't subscribe to their website, and I never saved the magazine it appeared in.

And yes, I know I *could* make my own broth and freeze it, but I don't always have the time or inclination.

TIA,

Helene

[bobmark226]

And yes, I know I *could* make my own broth and freeze it, but I don't always have the time or inclination.



Because of the expense and the inconvenience, like many others, I use a soup base (AllServ, the low sodium versions of chicken, beef and vegetable) that I keep refrigerated, lasts indefinitely, and allows me to make exactly the quantity I need, whether it be 1/4 cup or 3 quarts. Switching to this stuff a couple years back after reading about it on the foodtv web site made me an instant convert. Of course, there's trial and error to find one you like, much like anything else.

Other than that, the most popular here seem to be Pacific or Imagine, but many use and like TJs with a somewhat better price.

Bob

[gobluem82]

Like Bob, I use the concentrated bouillon in the jars. You can't beat them for taste and convenience. I swear by the Better Than Bouillon brand--I think they won Cook's Illustrated taste tests a while back.

[sooty]

I like the Better than Bouillon brand also, I can get it locally at Hannaford in Organic chix, veg & beef. I do occasionally pick up the Pacific & Imagine aseptic pkgs when on sale. By the time you get the ingredients together to make a homemade broth, for the amount you get I almost think it is more expensive, when you include things like freezer storage and cooking time, washing the pots, straining. I am not one to keep scraps in the fridge for a stock making session. And you can always increase the strength of the broth easy with bouillon.

[Peggy]

I like the Pacific brand vegetable broth. I think it is less salty and has a better flavor than canned varieties such as Swansons.

Peggy

[beckms]

Ditto the recommendation for Better than Bouillion. I have used the chicken and beef versions for a while now, but for some reason have always hesitated to use the vegetable base (I guess I was skeptical that they could really concentrate veggie broth...isn't it mostly water anyway?). So I had been using Swanson Organic veggie broth, which I really like a lot, but a couple weeks ago my store was sold out and I had to get the BtB, which I will now use instead. It's a better buy, and the taste is just as good as Swanson Organic.

At Stop and Shop in Grafton, the BtB jar is about $5-$6 and makes a ton (1 tsp of base per 8 oz water, and I usually use less to cut back on sodium), whereas a 32-oz box of Swanson organic (my store doesn't offer conventional) is $2.50.

The downside is that BtB products are quite salty, so you have to adjust accordingly.

[heavy hedonist]

Like Bob, I use the concentrated bouillon in the jars. You can't beat them for taste and convenience. I swear by the Better Than Bouillon brand--I think they won Cook's Illustrated taste tests a while back.
This brand type works for me too- and especially as you can lighten it to taste by using more water than recommended. I love it for risotto, as regular canned broths are too strong for good risotto (at least to me & Marcella!).

That said, Trader Joe's has a dark roasted veg broth (carton) that I buy occcasionally when I want a deeper flavor.

[Linda in MO]

Another Better than Bouillon fan.

[springsgourmet9]

I used Better than Bouillon recently and the dish was awfully salty, do they have a low sodium version in the jar?

[Canice]

I always like Imagine but have never used any of the soup bases.

[Aubergine]

add me to the Better than Bouillon fans, altho' i also love a product that Knorr makes, Pumpkin Cubes/Cubitos de Calabaza (don't laugh!) -- rather low in sodium, as these things go, and wonderful flavor, in the right recipes. i get them in the hispanic section of the grocery. another product i use from the health-food store is Vogue Instant Vegebase, "since 1938," a powdered product, also very low in sodium. it all depends on the recipe -- if it's a soup or stew, i try and include enough finely chopped and sauteed veggies that i only have to use a tiny bit of these products and mostly water.

[Beth Y]

Aubergine, I am intrigued. What do you use the pumpkin cubes in?

[LaraW]

I also use the Better than Bullion base for chicken and vegetable. I haven't bought the beef kind for some reason...don't know why, really. I've also used the Knorr vegetable bullion cubes, but I like the BtB a lot better.

[gertdog]

Another BTB fan. I have been using it for years. I have had canned/boxed broths that tasted a bit better, but they just can't beat the convenience. The mushroom flavor of BTB is also nice.

As for the saltiness- I never use the full amount of concentrate called for. I think they call for a full teaspoon of concentrate to make a cup of broth. I don't think I ever use more than half a teaspoon of concentrate.

[TerriS]

I am a big fan of the Roasted Vegetable broth that TJs sells in the green carton. I use it all the time!

I have been meaning to try Better than Bouillon, though.

[HRJ]

Better Than Bouillon, huh? And they sell this stuff at Stop and Shop? How have I been missing it all these years? :confused: :o

Thanks so much for enlightening me, everyone -- I will definitely pick some up ASAP. I learn the best stuff from this BB!

Thanks!

Helene

[NMG]

I have never heard of Better than Bullion before (I don't think they sell it in Giant Eagle but will look down in our strip district next time I go) and am trying a new boxed organic broth tonight for my french onion soup (low sodium, fat free) - the brand seems to have slipped my mind at the moment but if I remember I'll post it if I like it!

[tperes]

Because of the expense and the inconvenience, like many others, I use a soup base (AllServ, the low sodium versions of chicken, beef and vegetable) that I keep refrigerated, lasts indefinitely, and allows me to make exactly the quantity I need, whether it be 1/4 cup or 3 quarts. Switching to this stuff a couple years back after reading about it on the foodtv web site made me an instant convert. Of course, there's trial and error to find one you like, much like anything else.
Bob

Bob -- where do you find this AllServ? At your local grocery? On-line? I have used BtB, but it is a bit salty. TIA! Tanya

[bobmark226]

Bob -- where do you find this AllServ? At your local grocery? On-line? I have used BtB, but it is a bit salty.


Here you go, Tanya. Don't be surprise if you're overwhelmed by the varieties they offer. I love the vegetable, very intense, but it's also a deep orange color and makes for some odd looking soups!

http://soupbase.com/

Bob

[Mary Ann]

I've been using Pacific and Imagine broths in the box (usually organic), and have had good results with them.

I used to use Better than Bouillon for the convenience, but don't anymore because of the MSG in it (at least the beef, not sure about chicken).

[marshcl]

I like the Trader Joe's free range / organic chicken stocks. They aren't too expensive either. But I'm going to track down Better than Bouillon now.

[WhammerJammer]

I have made an awesome curried carrot soup using BTB Chicken base. No recipe and no added salt but just enough liquid to cover carrots by an inch and after cooking, use immersion blender, add curry at end (does not smell up the house). I'll have to see if I have any carrots now, getting hungry for carrot soup. :D :D :D

[Aubergine]

Aubergine, I am intrigued. What do you use the pumpkin cubes in?

beth, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, more than one might expect, as opposed to regular canned pumpkin puree, which i find bland (but essential in some recipes). i'll use it in things i want to brighten up, like a split pea/lentil/bean soup, or something with citrus notes, or a stew that is in need of a floral touch. darn! i sound like a food critic! it's hard to explain -- i don't use it all the time, but at least once/month. it has this sunny, bright flavor.

bobmark, i'm going to check out that link on the product you mentioned, tx.

one thing also worth noting about the condensed products like B'n'B is that my pantry is no longer filled with cans of broth. but i also appreciate the ability to dose how much i use.

suzanne

[bobmark226]

beth, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, more than one might expect, as opposed to regular canned pumpkin puree, which i find bland (but essential in some recipes). i'll use it in things i want to brighten up, like a split pea/lentil/bean soup, or something with citrus notes, or a stew that is in need of a floral touch. darn! i sound like a food critic! it's hard to explain -- i don't use it all the time, but at least once/month. it has this sunny, bright flavor.


I really am going to have to try and find these things. The possibilities seem endless. Thanks, Stephanie, and do give some of the soupbase products a try. I think you might like them.

Bob

[alicerh]

I have been using the low sodium Chicken from Penzey's and it is very good. I got it at the store. I don't think it is in the catalog and I don't know about the web site.

[NMG]

I used Swansons low sodium, low fat organic beef broth last night for some French Onion Soup and I really liked it a lot - I will be buying it again as well as the chicken broth they make.

[Anne]

Wow, I never realized there were so many stock bases available - my main criteria has been simply to find something without msg and not too terribly high in sodium. I'm going to check into some of the online sources.

[Varaile]

Penzys carries a variety of soup bases w/o the msg: http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeyssoupbase.html

Okay, for all you who use Better than Bullion, where are you getting it? Regular grocery store? Co-op? I've gots ta know! :rolleyes: :)