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8 Suitable Substitutes for Beef Broth in Pot Roast

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What makes pot roast delicious is the broth, in many cases, beef broth. Yet, if you can’t find or make it for your pot roast recipe, these are suitable substitutes you likely have available in your kitchen or are easy to make.

1. Soy Sauce

Soy Sauce Bottle and Packet

To prepare soy sauce as an alternative to beef broth, add one tablespoon of soy sauce to 1 cup of water, and mix thoroughly. You can also sprinkle some garlic, parsley, or anything you feel will jazz up the flavor. Soy sauce is unique as it brings in some color and flavor. It’s also easy to access since you can easily find it in stores if you can’t or don’t want to make one at home.

2. Beef Stock

A pot of homemade beef stock with a ladle being dipped in

Beef stock is easy to find or make and tastes almost like beef broth. The difference is that beef stock is prepared from bones, especially the marrow and knuckle bones. The liquid is also thicker than beef broth. The bones could be roasted or mixed with tomato paste for added flavor. One cup of beef stock is equivalent to 1 cup of beef broth.

You can watch this video by Chef Jack to see how to prepare beef stock: 

3. Wine or Beer

Glasses of red wine and beer side by side

Besides making meat tender, wine brings out the flavor in your food. It also has health benefits, such as reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases. However, you must keep a close eye on the pot to avoid a fire outbreak. This is because of the inflammable nature of its alcohol content.

Beer is another alcoholic substitute for beef broth. You can mix it with olive oil to improve the taste. If you are concerned about your kids consuming alcohol, don’t worry. It’s safe for them because the alcohol is burnt during cooking.

Keep in mind that non-alcoholic wines or beer work for this, too –whatever brings the flavor. Speaking of which, who says it has to be either wine or beer? You can mix them and enjoy the taste of both flavors. Note that one cup of beer or wine is equivalent to one cup of beef broth.

4. Mushroom Broth

Mushrooms are very healthy plants. They contain antioxidants and proteins. Mushroom broth makes an excellent beef broth substitute, especially if you’re trying to improve your diet. 

The ingredients required for mushroom broth are:

  • Assorted or button mushrooms
  • Yellow onion
  • Parsley sprigs
  • Peppercorns
  • Bay leaves
  • Thyme
  • Salt
  • Water

Sautee all the ingredients in your pan and then let it simmer for about an hour. This will reduce the water content in the mixture, leaving you with a slightly thickened broth.

When the broth is ready, the vegetables will become soft, and the mixture will taste like woodsy mushrooms. To improve the flavor, add soy sauce or your preferred spices. One cup of mushroom broth is equivalent to one cup of beef broth. 

Mushroom broth is also sold in stores if you can’t make it at home. Ensure you read the label carefully to know what you are consuming. The organic options are your best option, even if they are quite pricey. Mix 1 tablespoon of canned mushroom broth with 1 cup of water.

Related 8 Handy Substitutes for Cream of Mushroom Soup.

5. Bouillon Cubes

Two types of bouillon

Bouillon cubes are readily available and come with a punch of flavors for pot roast. They also come in a variety of flavors, including beef flavor, which is perfect when you want a beef broth alternative. To prepare, simply dilute one cube in 1 cup of hot water as a replacement for 1 cup of beef broth.

6. Vegetable Broth

Pouring Vegetable Stock Into a Bowl

Vegetable broth combines several veggies such as cabbage, onion, carrot, garlic, and mushroom. Sautee the vegetables with spices like thyme, pepper, or bay leaves to add extra flavor. Adding one beef bouillon cube to the mix is also safe to give it a meaty flavor. The substitute ratio for vegetable broth is 1:1.

7. Coconut Aminos

This beef broth substitute is suitable for vegans and people on a keto or gluten-free diet. Collect some coconut sap and allow it to ferment without additives. Add caramelized sugar and salt to taste. Mix equal portions of coconut aminos and vegetable broth to substitute beef broth.

8. Chicken Broth

Chicken Broth Box

You can use chicken broth in pot roast instead of beef broth. It helps to tone down the salty beef taste and brings in its own flavor. You usually won’t notice the difference unless you drink the broth.

To make chicken broth, cook the chicken together with the bones. You can throw in some vegetables or spices for additional nutrients and an enhanced taste. One cup of chicken broth is equivalent to one cup of beef broth. 

Can You Use Water Instead of Beef Broth?

You can use water instead of beef broth in a beef recipe. However, it won’t add any flavor. Instead, it may reduce the flavor of other ingredients. You can season the water with olive oil, butter, herbs, and spices to improve the flavor. You can also mix beef bouillon cubes in a ratio of 1:1.

What Is the Difference Between Beef Broth and Beef Stock?

The difference between beef broth and beef stock is that beef broth is thin and has more flavors while beef stock is thick. They also taste differently because the broth is seasoned while the stock has no seasoning.

Beef broth is made from meat scraps and vegetables. It can be used in soups, sauces, or as a beverage. Beef broth improves sleep and digestion. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Preparing the beef broth takes between half an hour to two hours.

Beef stock is made with cleaned bones like knuckle bones. The bones are roasted with vegetables like onions or celery to extract their juices. You can also rub some tomato paste on the bones to give them a deeper color. After roasting, place the bones in a pot, add vegetables and water, and leave to boil. Beef stock cooks between 3 to 12 hours.

Can Homemade Broth Go Bad?

A homemade broth can go bad if not properly stored since the ingredients are fresh. If kept in the pantry, it will go bad within 2 days. However, storing it in the refrigerator could last about 3 to 4 days. However, it can stay fresh for about 2 to 3 months if stored in the freezer. 

Can You Store Beef Broth in the Freezer?

You can store beef broth in the freezer using an ice cube tray, plastic jar, glass mason jar, or gallon-sized freezer bag. In all cases, be sure to properly label the storage bag or jar appropriately before storing it in your freezer.

Try any of these four methods to store beef broth in the freezer:

  • Ice cube tray – Pour cooled broth into the ice cube tray, filling each space 3/4 of the way. Freeze and then transfer the frozen cubes into a freezer bag and store them in your freezer. 
  • Plastic jar – Pour cooled beef broth into plastic jars and store in your freezer.
  • Glass Mason jar – Allow the broth to cool and pour it into your mason jars. Put these in your freezer.
  • Gallon freezer bag – Fill your gallon freezer bags with the cooled beef broth, and then store in your freezer.

Recap

The 8 most suitable beef broth substitutes for pot roast:

  1. Soy sauce
  2. Beef stock
  3. Wine or beer
  4. Mushroom broth
  5. Bouillon cubes
  6. Vegetable broth
  7. Coconut aminos
  8. Chicken broth

Thanks for stoppin’ by!

For more, don’t miss 2 Ways to Tell When a Pot Roast is Done.