Vegetable broth pops up in recipes for soups, stews, risottos, and braised dishes. It adds savory depth without meat, making it easy to keep dishes vegetarian or vegan while still building flavor.
Most substitutes work because they bring salt, umami, or a savory base-just like vegetable broth does. Some add more intensity, others stay lighter, and a few change the color or texture slightly.
Match the substitute to what you're making. If you need something neutral for a delicate soup, pick differently than if you're cooking a rich stew.
We swap vegetable broth with chicken broth, mushroom broth, or miso broth when we need a clean savory liquid for soups, grains, and sauces. We prioritize salt/acid first, then adjust body with water so the dish stays balanced. The main risk is changing the flavor lane with strong mushroom or soy notes.
7 Quick Vegetable Broth Substitutes That Work
These substitutes cover everything from pantry staples to specialty ingredients. Pick based on what you have and what flavor fits your dish.
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| # | Substitute | Best For | Ratio | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken Broth | 🍳 Cooking | 1:1 | Richer, meatier flavor |
| 2 | Mushroom Broth | 🍳 Cooking | 1:1 | Deep umami, earthy |
| 3 | Soy Sauce Mix | 🍳 Cooking | 1 cup water + 1 tablespoon soy | Salty, less complex |
| 4 | Bouillon Cubes | 🍳 Cooking | 1 cube per cup water | Very salty, convenient |
| 5 | Miso Broth | 🍳 Cooking | 1 cup water + 1-2 tablespoon miso | Fermented, umami-rich |
| 6 | Tomato Herb Mix | 🍳 Cooking | 1 cup water + 1 tablespoon paste | Tangy, herbal |
| 7 | Nutritional Yeast Mix | 🌱 Vegan | 1 cup water + 1 tablespoon yeast | Nutty, cheesy notes |
1 - Chicken Broth
Chicken broth swaps in seamlessly for most soups and stews. It brings a deeper, meatier taste compared to vegetable broth's lighter profile.
Use 1 cup chicken broth for every 1 cup of vegetable broth. No timing changes needed-it behaves the same way during cooking.
If you're short on chicken broth too, Chicken Broth swaps by recipe type sorts options by how you plan to use them.
*Skip if::* you're cooking for vegetarians or vegans.
Chicken Broth
Works for: soups, stews, braises where meat flavor fits
Skip if: keeping dishes vegetarian or vegan
Vegetable Broth
Works for: keeping dishes plant-based, lighter flavor
Skip if: you want a richer, meatier base
2 - Mushroom Broth
Mushroom broth packs serious umami. It's darker and more hearty than vegetable broth, making it ideal for hearty stews and grain dishes.
The key difference: mushroom broth adds an earthy, almost meaty depth that vegetable broth doesn't have. Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of vegetable broth without adjusting cooking time.
*Skip if::* you're making something delicate like a light spring soup where mushroom flavor would overpower everything else.
3 - Soy Sauce Mix
Mix 1 cup water with 1 tablespoon soy sauce to replace 1 cup vegetable broth. This works well in stir-fries, fried rice, and sauces where you need salt and savory flavor fast.
The mix stays thinner than broth and lacks the layered vegetable notes. Add a pinch of garlic powder or dried herbs if you want more complexity.
- Ratio - 1 cup water + 1 tablespoon soy sauce per cup of broth
- Best for - stir-fries, fried rice, quick sauces
If you're out of soy sauce as well, quick Soy Sauce replacements to try covers liquid options that bring similar saltiness.
*Skip if::* you're watching sodium-soy sauce is very salty.
4 - Bouillon Cubes
Dissolve 1 cube in 1 cup hot water to replace 1 cup vegetable broth. Bouillon cubes are handy for quick soups and flavoring grains.
They're very salty and sometimes taste artificial, so start with less if you're unsure. Vegetable or chicken bouillon both work, depending on whether you want to keep the dish plant-based.
Here's what to know:
- Convenience - shelf-stable and fast to dissolve
- Flavor - concentrated and salty, adjust seasoning after
- Sodium - much higher than homemade or low-sodium broth
- Varieties - vegetable, chicken, or beef options available
Can't find bouillon cubes either? Bouillon Cube swaps that match includes pastes and powders.
*Skip if::* you're trying to control salt or avoid additives.
5 - Miso Broth
Miso paste dissolved in water creates a savory, umami-rich broth. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons miso paste into 1 cup hot water to replace 1 cup vegetable broth.
The fermented flavor shines in miso soup, ramen, and Asian-style noodle bowls. It's saltier and slightly sweet compared to vegetable broth, so taste before adding more salt.
Out of miso paste too? Miso Paste substitutes ranked covers fermented and umami-rich alternatives.
*Skip if::* you're cooking something that needs a neutral, non-fermented base like a simple vegetable soup.
| Use | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soups and stews | 1:1 swap | Use chicken or mushroom for depth |
| Stir-fries | 1 cup water + 1 tablespoon soy | Add garlic or ginger for complexity |
| Grain dishes | 1:1 swap | Mushroom or miso work best |
6 - Tomato Herb Mix
Mix 1 cup water with 1 tablespoon tomato paste and a pinch of dried herbs (basil, oregano, or thyme) to replace 1 cup vegetable broth. This works well in tomato-based soups, stews, and pasta sauces.
The mix adds acidity and a slight tang that vegetable broth doesn't have. It's not neutral, so save it for recipes where tomato flavor fits.
- Acidity - tangier than vegetable broth, balances rich dishes
- Color - turns the dish red or orange
- Herbs - customize with basil, oregano, or thyme
Missing tomato paste as well? Common Tomato Paste swaps ranked includes fresh and canned options.
*Skip if::* you're making a delicate soup where tomato would overpower the other vegetables.
7 - Nutritional Yeast Mix
Mix 1 cup water with 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast and ¼ teaspoon salt to replace 1 cup vegetable broth. This adds a nutty, cheesy umami flavor that works well in vegan sauces, soups, and grain bowls.
The mix stays thinner than broth and lacks the layered vegetable notes, but it brings depth to plant-based dishes. It won't work in recipes that need a clear, neutral base.
Out of nutritional yeast too? Common Nutritional Yeast swaps ranked includes umami-rich options for vegan cooking.
*Skip if::* you need a neutral broth for a light vegetable soup or delicate sauce.
How to Choose a Vegetable Broth Substitute
Most of these swaps work without changing your recipe. The right choice depends on what you're making and what flavor you want.
For soups and stews, chicken or mushroom broth comes closest. For stir-fries and sauces, the soy sauce mix or miso broth adds quick savory depth.
- Closest match - Chicken broth for neutral savory flavor
- Easiest grab - Bouillon cubes dissolve fast in hot water
- Vegan option - Mushroom broth or nutritional yeast mix for umami
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you'll lose savory depth. Add a pinch of salt, a splash of soy sauce, or a teaspoon of miso paste to plain water to mimic broth's flavor.
No, chicken broth is richer and meatier. It works in most recipes but changes the flavor slightly, making it less suitable for vegetarian dishes.
Yes, if the recipe calls for a small amount of broth for moisture or flavor in savory baked goods like bread or biscuits. Dissolve the cube in hot water first and measure as directed.
It can be. Mushroom broth has a bold, earthy flavor that works better in hearty stews and grain dishes. For delicate soups, stick with chicken broth or a mild vegetable substitute.
Soy sauce is saltier than broth, so skip or reduce added salt until you taste the dish. Add garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs to build more complexity.
7 Best Substitutes for Vegetable Broth
Ingredients
Method
- Pick your substitute based on dish type: soups and stews benefit from chicken or mushroom broth; stir-fries and sauces suit soy sauce mix or miso broth.
- Prepare your substitute: dissolve bouillon cubes in hot water, or mix water with soy sauce, miso paste, tomato paste with herbs, or nutritional yeast as directed.
- Apply the substitute using the specified ratios: mostly 1:1 for broths, or specified mixes for others. Adjust seasoning according to saltiness and flavor intensity.
- Taste and adjust seasoning carefully to avoid overly salty or overpowering flavors depending on the chosen substitute.
