Condiments

Vegan substitute for Chicken broth

A good plant broth needs three things chicken stock has: salt, glutamate and body. Mushrooms, kombu and miso supply all three.

Options, ratios and best uses

Mushroom + kombu stock

1:1

Simmer dried shiitake and kombu 20 minutes.

Best for: soups, risotto, ramen

Vegan bouillon

1 cube per 500 ml

Look for yeast-extract-rich brands.

Best for: everyday cooking

White miso

1 tbsp per 500 ml

Add off the heat to keep the flavour alive.

Best for: finishing broths

Roasted vegetable stock

1:1

Roast onion, carrot and celery first for depth.

Best for: stews, gravies

Tips

  • Add a splash of soy sauce for colour and salt
  • A teaspoon of nutritional yeast rounds it out
  • Save vegetable trimmings in the freezer

Avoid

  • Boiling kombu — it turns bitter
  • Over-salting before reduction

Questions people ask

How do I make plant broth taste rich?

Roast the vegetables, add dried mushrooms for glutamate, and finish with miso.

Is bouillon vegan?

Many are, but check for lactose and chicken fat.

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