Pantry & condiments
Vegan alternative to chicken stock: the best substitutes
Everything you need to replace chicken stock with a plant-based substitute — which one to use, the exact ratio, and the mistakes that ruin the result.
Short answer
Key takeaways
- Best all-round swap: Vegetable bouillon + nutritional yeast (everyday swap).
- Ratio: 1:1.
- Pro tip: A teaspoon of white miso stirred in off the heat adds the body that chicken stock gets from collagen.
- 3 tested vegan alternatives to chicken stock in total.
Why chicken stock isn't vegan
Simmered poultry bones.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Vegetable bouillon + nutritional yeast | Everyday swap |
| Mushroom and kombu dashi | Deep umami base |
| No-chicken bouillon cubes | Convenience |
How to substitute chicken stock, step by step
- 1
Pick the right substitute for the job
For most recipes use Vegetable bouillon + nutritional yeast — everyday swap. If you need a different texture, Mushroom and kombu dashi works for deep umami base.
- 2
Measure using the correct ratio
1:1. Weigh rather than eyeball it — small errors show up much faster when replacing chicken stock.
- 3
Adjust the method
A teaspoon of white miso stirred in off the heat adds the body that chicken stock gets from collagen.
- 4
Taste and correct
Plant swaps are usually a little less salty and less rich than chicken stock. Season at the end and add acid (lemon, vinegar) or umami (miso, nutritional yeast) if the dish tastes flat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Swapping by volume when the recipe measures chicken stock by weight — check the ratio above first.
- Using a sweetened or flavoured version in a savoury recipe.
- Ignoring the method change: A teaspoon of white miso stirred in off the heat adds the body that chicken stock gets from collagen.
- Assuming every packaged product labelled "plant-based" is vegan — some still contain milk powder, honey or egg. Scan the barcode to be sure.
Conversion ratio
1:1.
Pro tip
A teaspoon of white miso stirred in off the heat adds the body that chicken stock gets from collagen.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to chicken stock?
- Vegetable bouillon + nutritional yeast is the closest all-round swap — everyday swap. 1:1.
- Why isn't chicken stock vegan?
- Simmered poultry bones.
- How much do I use instead of chicken stock?
- 1:1.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- A teaspoon of white miso stirred in off the heat adds the body that chicken stock gets from collagen.
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