Here’s how many cups are in a can of beef broth (14 ounces), plus smart beef broth tips, substitutions, and recipes!
Beef broth is a kitchen staple used in many of our favorite dishes like beef stew, chili, casseroles, and more.
But, it might be hard to follow a recipe if you don’t know how many cups of beef broth are in one can.
So here’s how much beef broth is in a 14-ounce can, plus tips for storage, easy substitutes, a recipe to make your own, and yummy beef broth dishes to try!
Beef Broth 101
Before we detail how many cups are in a can of beef broth, here’s some beef broth 101.
Beef broth is a savory ingredient used as the base of delicious soups and stews, casseroles, dips, and more.
And it’s readily available in grocery stores.
It’s rich, hearty, flavorful, and incredibly versatile.
And it has a very simple cooking process.
How It’s Made
Beef broth is made by simmering beef meat like chuck roast, beef shank, or short ribs for several hours along with vegetables, herbs, and aromatics like onions, celery, garlic, and bay leaves until a flavorful liquid is formed.
Beef bone broth or beef stock follows the same cooking process.
However, bone broths and stock primarily use the bones of the animal rather than the meat.
Beef stock doesn’t usually include added salt or vegetables, whereas beef bone broth may include both.
To make bone broth or stock, simmer the beef bones (especially the marrow bones) and connective tissue along with vegetables, herbs, and aromatics (if desired) to form a flavorful and nutrient-dense liquid.
Health Benefits
Beef broth, and especially beef bone broth, has many important health benefits.
The amino acids, collagen, vitamins, and minerals in beef broth may:
- Aid digestion and digestive health
- Boost the immune system
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve joint health
- Aid blood cell production
- Improve hair, skin, and nails
- Support nerve function
- Regulate hormonal imbalances in women
How many cups are in a can of beef broth?
1 cup of beef broth is 8 fluid ounces.
So 14 ounces = 1¾ cups of broth (or 1.75 cups).
However, beef broth typically comes in a 14.5-ounce can which would be closer to 2 cups (1.81 to be more precise).
So, if you’re using a 14.5-ounce can you’ll have slightly more broth than 1¾ cups.
Easy Substitutions
Now that we’ve covered how many cups are in a can of beef broth, here are some easy beef broth substitutes when you’re in a pinch or to get you to exactly 2 cups of liquid.
Most recipes will call for measurements of full cups of broth, so if you need to have exactly 2 cups of liquid you can add some water to stretch the broth. Or use one of the substitutions listed below.
- Chicken broth or chicken stock – You can switch out 1 can of beef broth for a can of chicken broth. This is an ideal beef broth substitute because you probably already have it in your pantry. However, you may want to add some extra flavors, like a dash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, and extra seasonings to “beef up” the taste.
- Vegetable broth or vegetable stock – If you don’t have chicken broth or stock, you can use the vegetable version. Add extra flavors and seasonings like you would the chicken broth. And you can add a little bit of butter, if desired.
- Liquid aminos – This is a great vegan alternative to beef broth. Mix it with water or vegetable broth and add seasonings like onion powder to help mimic the flavor.
- Beef bouillon cubes – Bouillon cubes are an easy substitute for beef broth, though they may be a little saltier. Simply dissolve 1 beef bouillon cube in a boiling cup of water.
Read this post to find more easy ways to substitute for beef broth along with substitution ratios.
How to Make Your Own
If you don’t want the hassle of converting cans of beef broth to cups, you can also easily make your own homemade beef broth or stock using a slow cooker (or large pot) and mason jars.
Homemade Broth
Homemade beef broth is usually more nutrient-dense than store-bought beef broth. And you can control the seasonings and flavors.
Here’s an easy recipe to try:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1½ pound beef chuck roast or beef shank
- 5-6 pounds beef neck bones bouillon or soup bones
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 onion quartered
- 2 carrots cut into 4-5 sections
- 1 celery cut into 4-5 sections
- 1 head of garlic sliced in half
- 2 bay leaves
- Bunch of thyme leaves
- Small bunch of parsley
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon base
- 6-8 whole peppercorns
- 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt plus more after cooking to taste
DIRECTIONS
Warm the oil in a Dutch oven or large stock pot over medium-high heat. Season the chuck roast with the salt and black pepper, brown on all sides, and remove.
Add the bones and brown in batches on all sides.
Place the chuck roast back in with the browned bones and add in the carrot, celery, onion, and garlic halves.
Pour in 4 quarts cold water, covering the beef and veggies by at least 1-2 inches.
Add the parsley (with leaves and stems intact), thyme sprigs, peppercorns, bay leaves, beef bouillon, and kosher salt.
Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook partly covered for 2-8 hours, skimming the stock every 30 minutes or so.
Cool completely and strain into wide-mouthed mason glass jars.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze in gallon bags for up to 6 months.
NOTE: If you want to make your own chicken broth, this chicken broth substitutes post, includes a simple recipe to try.
Homemade Stock
You can also make homemade beef stock using a similar method.
Just like beef broth, homemade stock is usually more nutrient-dense and flavorful. And you’ll have more control over the results.
Try this easy beef stock recipe:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound beef bones
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 8 cups water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- (Add additional seasonings and veggie scraps to use up what you have if desired)
DIRECTIONS
Add each of the ingredients to a slow cooker or crockpot and set it on low. Add more water as needed to fill to the top.
Cook for 16-18 hours (the longer the better!).
When the cook time is complete, turn off your cooker and cool for 10-15 minutes. Strain the broth to remove solid pieces and enjoy.
You can use the stock right away or put it into mason jars to keep in the fridge or freezer.
What To Do with Leftovers
It’s common to have leftover beef broth after making a recipe, especially if you have to crack open more than one can to get the number of cups you need.
But, it’s important to use any leftovers promptly or freeze them to use another time.
To avoid harmful bacteria growth, don’t let your broth sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
And your broth will last for 4-7 days in the refrigerator or 3-4 months in the freezer.
TOP TIP: To make freezing broth easier, use ice cube trays!
Pour your leftover broth into the wells of the tray and freeze. Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer-safe storage bag so you can reheat only what you need at a time.
How To Tell If Broth Has Gone Bad
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 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
There are 1.75-1.81 cups of beef broth or chicken broth in a typical can. So you’ll only need a little bit more liquid to equal 2 cups.
You can add a little bit of water along with some extra seasonings and a dash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to make up for any lost flavor.
Alternatively, you can combine your broth with a different kind of broth if you have any on hand.
Or, you can simply go with a little less broth, depending on the recipe.
There are 1.75 cups of chicken broth in a 14 ounce can and 1.81 cups of chicken broth in a 14.5 ounce can.
Divide the ounces in the can by 8 (8 ounces equals 1 cup) to find your answer.
Recipes with Beef Broth
We’ve covered how many cups are in a can of beef broth, simple substitutes, and storage tips.
Now it’s time to try some easy and delicious recipes!
Simple Crock Pot Hamburger Stew
This simple Crock Pot Hamburger Stew is a cinch to throw together on a busy weekday! Browned hamburger, potatoes, carrots, peas, and onions come together for this soup version of the classic “Hobo Dinner.”
Easy Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
Crock Pot Minestrone Soup features tender vegetables, pasta, and beans in a flavorful seasoned broth. With a shorter ingredient list and the use of frozen vegetables, this will be the easiest minestrone soup you’ve ever made!
Easy Crock Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
This recipe for Crock Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots creates delicious, fall-apart meat with tender vegetables and a savory gravy. It’s one of the easiest pot roast recipes out there and only has 9 ingredients!
More like this: