Can you mix chicken and beef broth? Here’s everything you need to know, plus easy and delicious recipes you’ll love!
Broth whether canned, homemade, or in the carton, is a common kitchen staple.
And, there’s a good chance you have some form of homemade or ready-made broth in your kitchen right now.
Beef broth is the obvious base ingredient for recipes like beef stew. And recipes for chicken noodle soup, always start with a good chicken broth.
But, if you’re running a little low on the kind of broth you need, you might wonder if they taste okay when combined.
So, can you mix chicken and beef broth?
Here’s everything home cooks should know, plus yummy recipes to try!
Broth 101
Before we get to whether or not to mix chicken and beef broth, here are some facts to add to your cooking knowledge.
Chicken and beef broth are both good sources of protein. And they’re very versatile.
You can use each of these broths for several kinds of recipes from casseroles and soups to stir-fries and dips.
And they’re both readily available at any local grocery store.
But, there are some key differences.
First, and most obvious, is that they are derived from different animal sources.
Chicken broth is made from chicken and beef broth is made from beef.
They also have different colors and different flavors.
Beef broth has a stronger flavor and darker color. Whereas, chicken broth has a light color and a more neutral flavor.
You can use beef broth for rich, hearty, and meaty recipes like:
- Simple Crock Pot Hamburger Stew
- Easy Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
- Easy Crock Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
And you can use chicken broth for lighter recipes like:
- Skillet Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
- Creamy Mushroom Swiss Chicken Bake
- Creamy Gnocchi With Tomatoes and Spinach
How are chicken and beef broth made?
Both chicken and beef broth are made from the same cooking process.
In either case, the meat is simmered with vegetables and fresh herbs over a long period to form a flavorful liquid.
You should also note that while similar, broths and stocks are not the same, though they make a great substitute.
Beef stock and chicken stock are made by simmering the bones of the animal rather than the meat.
Stocks tend to have a richer flavor when compared to broths. And they may contain added nutrients like amino acids and collagen. These provide health benefits like bone and joint support, immune system digestive system support, and support for mental health.
Can you mix chicken and beef broth?
Yes!
There is no harm in mixing chicken and beef broth. And depending on the recipe, it may even add some flavor to your final dish.
However, there are some things to keep in mind.
Beef broth has a much more robust and rich flavor. So, it could overpower certain dishes if you use too much.
Beef broth is also darker in color so it may change your dish’s aesthetic, and vice versa.
You’ll usually have better results when adding chicken broth to a recipe that calls for beef broth than the other way around.
And the same rules apply when combing beef bouillon cubes and chicken bouillon cubes.
If you mix chicken broth with a recipe that calls for beef, try adding extra seasonings like onion powder or a few dashes of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to darken the broth and amp up the flavor.
And if you mix beef broth with a recipe that calls for chicken, you may need to dilute the beef broth with equal parts water to tone down the flavor.
Popular Substitutes
If you’d prefer not to mix chicken and beef broth for certain recipes, here are some common substitutes to try.
You can use the following in place of chicken broth:
- Chicken stock
- Chicken bone broth
- Butter and water
- Chicken base
- Vegetable broth or stock
- Wine
- Aquafaba
- Ramen seasoning
Make sure to check out the top substitutes for chicken broth for a complete list and substitution ratios.
And for beef broth, you can use:
- Beef stock
- Beef bone broth
- Beef consume
- Mushroom broth
- Red wine or beer
- Soy Sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Liquid aminos
Read this post on the top substitutes for beef broth for a complete list of beef broth substitute ideas and substitution ratios.
You can also make your own chicken broth, beef broth, or homemade stock using a slow cooker, fresh vegetables, and aromatics. You can find simple recipes for each at the links, above.
The main ingredients for each include the meat (chicken meat like whole chicken, chicken breast, or rotisserie chicken and beef meat like chuck roast, beef shank, or short ribs) or bones.
And vegetables and aromatics like:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bay leaves
Store your homemade broth or stock in airtight containers or glass mason jars for best results.
How long does broth last?
It’s common to have leftover broth after using chicken or beef broth for recipes.
But, it’s important to use any leftovers promptly or freeze them to use another time.
Chicken broth can be refrigerated for 3-4 days after opening. And frozen chicken broth will last for 2-3 months in the freezer for the best quality.
On the other hand, beef broth will last for 4-7 days in the refrigerator and 3-4 months in the freezer.
You can make freezing broth easier by pouring the broth into ice cube trays and then popping the cubes into a freezer-safe storage bag.
This will also allow you to reheat only what you need at a time.
NOTE: If you mix chicken and beef broth, make sure you follow the refrigeration and freezer guidelines for the chicken broth rather than the beef broth.
And, don’t let your broth sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours to avoid harmful bacteria growth.
How To Tell When It’s Gone Bad
Whether you mix your chicken and beef broth, or not, you should always inspect your leftover broth before using it in another recipe to make sure it’s still good.
Spoiled broth can cause food poisoning and make you sick.
If your chicken or beef broth develops any of the following, be sure to throw it out:
- Sour smell
- Change in color
- Mold
If you think you may have consumed spoiled broth, and develop any of the symptoms of food poisoning, below, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider right away.
Symptoms of food poisoning:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
FAQs
Generally yes.
However, beef broth may overpower the recipe depending on the dish.
For lighter dishes, you may want to mix the beef broth with water to tone down the flavor.
Yes.
However, you may lose out a little on flavor. To compensate, you can add a couple of dashes of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
And you can also sear the meat before adding the broth to make sure it gets browned and develops a deeper flavor. It will also leave a few bits in the pan that can mix with the broth.
Yes.
You can use any mix of beef bones, pork bones, or chicken bones for making bone broth.
However, traditional chicken broth or beef broth does not use bones. To make regular broth, you’ll use primarily the meat of the animal along with vegetables and herbs.
Yes.
However, you may lose a bit of flavor and it may lighten the color of your stew. To compensate, you can add a few dashes of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
Yummy Recipes to Try
Coconut Cilantro Chicken Soup
Coconut Cilantro Chicken Soup features a creamy broth, flavorful spices, shredded chicken, and white rice. This tasty soup is as easy to make as it is delicious!
Healthy Turkey Lasagna Soup
This healthy Turkey Lasagna Soup recipe features browned ground turkey, tender noodles, a flavorful broth, and a little cheese. It’s everything you love about traditional lasagna without all of the calories!
The Easiest Creamy Taco Soup
This delicious creamy taco soup features a creamy broth, ground beef, beans, vegetables, and plenty of taco spice. It’s so easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes!
The Easiest Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
This Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup features a creamy broth, tender chicken, and savory vegetables. It’s incredibly easy to make and only has 8 ingredients!
White Chicken Chili Recipe With Cream Cheese
This White Chicken Chili recipe with cream cheese is perfect for a chilly evening. Just dump the 7 ingredients in your Crock Pot and in a few hours you’ll have a deliciously creamy chili ready for dinner!
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