On the market nowadays we can find many different types of broths and stocks. They take part in many different soups, sauces, stews, gravies, chilies, and other dishes to give them a beautiful flavor and consistency.

The terms beef broth and beef stock are used interchangeably but it is good to know that they are different. Beef stock is made with beef bones, water, vegetables, spices, and herbs, while the beef broth is usually made with beef meat, water, vegetables, spices, and herbs.

Beef stock is more flavorful because it is cooked longer and has a thicker consistency compared to the beef broth which is cooked shorter and has a thinner consistency.

You can both prepare them at home if you have time, or you can buy them in the store and use them in your dishes.

What is Beef Stock Concentrate?

The beef stock concentrate, on the other hand, is a reduced stock that has an intense beef flavor and you can prepare it easily if you just mix it with hot water.

You can use this mixture as a substitute for regular beef stock in your recipes. To get one cup of beef stock you need to dissolve two teaspoons of the concentrate in one cup of hot water.

In case you have run out of beef stock concentrate or you want to try plant-based or vegetarian products instead, you can use some of the alternatives mentioned below.

Substitutes for beef stock concentrate include beef stock, beef broth, beef bouillon cubes, bone broth, chicken broth, mushroom broth, beef base, or some of the next options.

Now, let’s learn more about each substitute.

Best Beef Stock Concentrate Substitutes

The beef stock concentrate can be easily substituted with some other product to get a similar flavor in your dishes. Some of these products are vegan and vegetarian and a good substitute if you don’t want to use beef stock concentrate because it is an animal product.

Depending on what flavor you want your dish to have you can also use some of the other substitutes mentioned in this article.

1. Beef Stock

The beef stock has a similar flavor to beef stock concentrate and is one of the best substitutes you can use in your dishes. It is made with a long-simmering of beef bones, water, vegetables, herbs, and spices and has a thick consistency and concentrated beef flavor.

You can make or buy beef stock. Always look for low sodium beef stock so you could season your dish to your taste. As a substitute for 2 teaspoons of beef stock concentrates dissolved in one cup of hot water use one cup of beef stock.

2. Beef Broth

Beef broth also has a similar but less intense beef flavor to beef stock concentrate. It is made with simmering beef meat, water, vegetables, herbs, and spices and has a thinner consistency than beef stock.

You can use it on its own or in soups, stews, gravies, and many other dishes. Use one cup of beef broth as a substitute for 2 teaspoons of beef stock concentrate dissolved in one cup of hot water.

3. Beef Bouillon Cubes

Beef bouillon cubes are another substitute you can use instead of beef stock concentrate in your dishes. They are made of dehydrated beef stock or broth and are an easy and quick way to give a beefy flavor to your recipes.

Beef bouillon cubes are used in soups, casseroles, sauces, stews, curries, and other dishes. Dissolve one beef bouillon cube in one cup of hot water and use it as a substitute for 2 teaspoons of beef stock concentrate dissolved in a cup of hot water.

4. Bone Broth

Bone broth is made with bones, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It is bone stock that is called bone broth even if we know that broth is made with meat, not with bones.

It has a rich, savory flavor and can be also used as a substitute for beef stock concentrate. You can use beef or chicken bone broth depending on the flavor you want to get in your dish. Substitute beef stock concentrate with bone broth in a 1: 1 ratio.

5. Chicken Broth

Chicken broth has a milder flavor and lighter color than beef stock concentrate. It is made with chicken meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices and has a chicken flavor.

You can use it to make delicious soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes. Use chicken broth as a substitute for beef stock concentrate in a 1:1 ratio.

6. Mushroom Broth

The mushroom broth is a vegan and vegetarian substitute for beef stock concentrate you can use in your dishes.

Mushrooms have a beautiful earthy, umami flavor which gets even better when it is mixed with vegetables and herbs like celery, onions, carrots, garlic, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves.

You can use mushroom broth as a substitute for beef stock concentrate in your soups, risotto, casseroles, pasta dishes, sauces, and other dishes in a 1:1 ratio.

7. Beef Base

The beef base is another product that has a beef flavor and can be used as a substitute for beef stock concentrate. It has a thick consistency and rich, intense, beefy flavor.

The beef base is usually used in soups, stews, sauces, marinades, and other dishes. Dissolve one teaspoon of a beef base in a cup of hot water and use it as a substitute for the concentrate in a 1:1 ratio.

8. Vegetable Broth

Vegetable broth can be also used as a substitute for beef stock concentrate in your dishes. It is a great vegan alternative that will give a beautiful flavor to your soups, stews, sauces, casseroles, risotto, and other dishes.

It is usually made with vegetables like celery, carrots, onion, garlic, mushrooms, potatoes, and water and seasoned with salt, pepper, rosemary, bay leaves, and thyme.

Vegetable broth doesn’t have the same flavor as a beef stock concentrate. However, it has other different flavors that will enhance the flavor of your dishes. Substitute beef stock concentrate with vegetable broth in a 1:1 ratio.

9. Liquid Aminos

Liquid aminos are salty seasonings that can be made from soybeans or coconut tree sap. They are vegetarian and vegan alternatives to beef stock concentrate you can use in your dishes to give them a salty, savory, umami flavor.

Liquid aminos are usually used in sauces, stir-fries, dips, salad dressings, soups, stews, and other dishes. Dilute one teaspoon of liquid aminos with one cup of water and use it as a substitute for beef stock concentrate in a 1:1 ratio.

10. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans and has a brown color and salty, sweet, slightly bitter umami flavor. It is usually used in sauces, gravies, stews, soups, marinades, and stir-fries.

You can mix soy sauce with steak sauce to get a similar flavor to beef stock concentrate or use it on its own diluted with water. Mix ½ cup of soy sauce with ½ cup of water and use it to substitute for one cup of dissolved beef stock concentrate.

11. Red Wine or Beer

Red wine or beer is also one of the substitutes you can use instead of beef stock concentrate. They are both usually used in various dishes to enhance their flavor, and if you use high-quality red wine or beer they will give an even better flavor to your food.

If you are worried about the alcohol content, don’t be. The alcohol will evaporate and leave just a wonderful flavor to your dish. Mix ½ cup of red wine or beer with ½ cup of water and use as a substitute for one cup of dissolved beef stock concentrate.

12. Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is a condiment with a savory, tangy, sweet, and salty umami flavor. It is made from vinegar, anchovies, sugar, salt, molasses, tamarind extract, chili pepper extract, garlic, onions, and spices like celery seeds and cloves.

There are different types of Worcestershire sauce you can choose from like low-sodium, gluten-free, and vegetarian or vegan Worcestershire sauce.

This fermented sauce is used in, marinades, soups, stews, salads, and many other dishes. You can mix one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce with one cup of water and use this mixture as a substitute for one cup of dissolved beef stock concentrate.

13. Miso Paste

Miso paste is Japanese seasoning with salty, savory, sweet, and tangy umami flavors. It is made with fermenting soybeans, salt, koji mold, and grain like barley or rice.

Depending on the used ingredients, and the length of the fermentation process there are many different types of miso paste with different flavors, colors, and textures.

Miso paste with darker color has a stronger, saltier flavor, while miso paste with lighter color is with a sweeter flavor. They are usually used in sauces, salad dressings, stews, soups, marinades, and other dishes.

Mix one tablespoon of miso paste with a cup of hot water and use it as a substitute for one cup of dissolved beef stock concentrate.

14. Tomato Paste

Tomato paste can be also used as a substitute for beef stock concentrate in your dishes. It is made with tomatoes that are cooked for a long time until they are reduced and thickened.

Tomato paste has a rich tomato flavor and it will not give the same beefy flavor to your dish as beef stock concentrate does but it will enhance its flavor and make it taste better. Tomato paste is usually used in soups, sauces, stews, and other dishes.

Add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste to a cup of hot water and use this mixture to substitute for one cup of dissolved beef stock concentrate.

15. Ramen Seasoning

Beef ramen seasoning will give a similar beefy flavor to your dishes. It is made with mushroom extract, garlic powder, soybean paste, onion powder, and red chili peppers. Other ingredients include black pepper, salt, ginger, thyme, and parsley.

Mix one packet of beef ramen seasoning with one cup of hot water. Then, use this mixture to substitute for one cup of dissolved beef stock concentrate. If the mixture is too salty you can add more water to get the desired flavor.

Beef Stock Concentrate Recipe

If you’re wondering how to make beef stock concentrate, I have your back.

The homemade beef stock concentrate is easy to make but requires time. Just follow the next recipe and you will be fine.

Ingredients:

5-6 pounds of beef bones (you can also add trimmings if you have)
2 stalks of celery cut into larger pieces
14 cups water
2 medium onions quartered
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 bay leaves
½ teaspoon black peppercorns
2 bigger carrots cut into larger pieces
½ teaspoon dry or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
4-5 springs of parsley

Instructions:

Place the beef bones, trimmings, onion, celery, and carrots in a roasting pan and add the olive oil. Roast in the oven for about 45 minutes at 400 °F and turn them to brown evenly. Transfer all the ingredients from the roasting pan to a stockpot.

Add the tomato paste to the remaining grease from the roasting pan. Then, cook for about 2 minutes before you add 2 cups of water and bring it to simmer.

Then add this tomato paste mixture to the stockpot and the remaining 12 cups of water. If the water is not covering the bones you can add more. Add the thyme, parsley, bay leaves, and black peppercorns, and place the stockpot on the stove at medium-high heat.

When it starts to boil reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-12 hours until the liquid is reduced and you get a thick texture.

During the simmering, you can skim the foamy scum from the surface. If you want a thicker texture you can simmer it longer until you get the desired texture.

Strain the stock through a cheesecloth and place it in the refrigerator to cool down. Remove the fat from the top of the stock and place it in a jar or freezer container. Don’t feel the jars to the top because the stock will expand while freezing.

Your beef stock concentrate is ready to use. You can store it in the refrigerator for 4-6 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Extra tip: You can keep it in the fridge or freezer so you can always have it on hand.

Conclusion

There are many alternatives if you need a substitute for beef stock concentrate. You only have to use the one that will be the right for your dish to give it a similar beefy flavor.

You can also add some other seasonings and herbs to your taste to enhance the flavor of the dish and make it taste great.

What are you using as a substitute for beef stock concentrate? Share your experience with us in the comment section down below!