Condiments

Vegan substitute for Beef stock

Key facts

Replaces
Beef stock
Category
Condiments
Options here
4 tested swaps
Easiest swap
Dried porcini stock — 1:1

Options, ratios and best uses

Dried porcini stock

1:1

Soak 20 g porcini in 500 ml hot water.

Best for: stews, gravy, pie fillings

Marmite / yeast extract

1 tsp per 500 ml

Extremely savoury — start small.

Best for: gravies, casseroles

Vegan beef-style bouillon

per pack

Widely stocked; check for lactose.

Best for: convenience

Roasted onion + tomato purée

1:1

Caramelise deeply for a roasted base note.

Best for: ragù, chilli

Tips

  • A splash of red wine adds the missing acidity
  • Cook out the tomato purée before adding liquid
  • Thicken with a dark roux for body

Avoid

  • Adding yeast extract late — it needs to cook in
  • Over-salting: bouillon and soy stack up fast

Questions people ask

How do I get a meaty gravy?

Porcini stock, yeast extract, a dark roux and a splash of soy sauce.

Is Marmite vegan?

Yes, it is a brewing yeast by-product.

Related swaps

Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.

A substitution is not a nutrition guarantee

Choose a replacement for the job the original ingredient performs: binding, aeration, thickening, fat or flavour. A mushroom can imitate a patty's shape while providing much less protein; a nut cream can mimic dairy texture without its calcium or B12 fortification. Check the actual product and the rest of the meal.

Ratios are starting points unless a complete recipe has been tested with that exact replacement. Brand formulation, water content and cooking method change the result. Try a small batch for important bakes, and check soy, nuts, sesame and wheat allergens even when a product is labelled vegan.

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