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This vegan beef broth is a savory, umami-packed vegetarian beef stock that can be used as a substitute for the real thing.
I knew from the moment I typed “vegan beef broth” on this post that the name would anger some people. I see you and I see your anger. If you don’t want to make this recipe because of the name, feel free to make a different one :).
The inspiration for this recipe comes from America’s Test Kitchen‘s plant-based cookbook that came out last year. The whole book is great, but their umami broth was one of the first things I fixated on. It packs a punch with many very savory ingredients, so much so that my kitchen smelled “beefy” as I whipped it up.
The most unusual (and I think crucial) ingredient in the recipe is fermented black beans. They can be purchased on Amazon at that link, or found at Asian grocery stores. You can’t use regular black beans, it’s a different thing. These are black soybeans that have been salted and fermented. The unique flavor is a necessity for this vegan beef broth. It’s the same thing that would be found in black bean sauce at Chinese restaurants.
ATK uses a bunch of dried mushrooms in their stock, but as you might know by now, I hate mushrooms. I can tolerate them somewhat if there are no solid pieces of them remaining in a dish, but I didn’t really want to have to furnish my pantry with them because I wouldn’t use them in anything else.
Instead I turned to a replacement umami bomb that I *do* keep on hand all the time: sundried tomatoes, which I’ve always found to have a slightly meaty flavor. Tomato is a natural glutamate powerhouse, so it makes sense to me that the sun drying process would concentrate it even more. The tomatoes also help give this beef-less broth a nice, rich, golden color in the end product.
After you get all of the (admittedly) weird vegan ingredients assembled for this recipe, the rest is super easy. Put everything in a pot, bring it to a boil, strain it, and then die and go to umami heaven.
The level of straining is a matter of preference. If you want your beef-less stock super clear, you can strain it through cheesecloth. I don’t care too much about that, so I strain mine with a sieve only.
I prefer this recipe over the powders or concentrates (sold by various brands like Orrington Farms, Better than Bouillon, etc.) because it’s made with whole foods that I recognize and honestly tastes better too. There are certain foods where I prefer the commercial version to homemade and I’m not afraid to admit it… but vegan beef broth is not one of those foods.
I’ll be back here soon to violate the sensibilities of traditionalists who love a certain classic French recipe that uses beef broth. In the meantime, this would also be fantastic in my hearty vegetable stewor in a batch of vegan gravy.
This makes enough for two big pots of soup. It freezes great, so feel free to do that with the excess, reducing it first if you prefer. I like to freeze mine in an ice cube tray so that I can use the cubes as needed.
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Vegan Beef Broth
This homemade vegan beef broth is an umami-bomb that's perfect as a vegetarian substitute for beef broth anywhere it's normally used.
Course basics
Cuisine American, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free, vegan, vegetarian
Keyword beefless broth, vegan beef broth, vegetarian beef stock
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 quarts
Calories 22kcal
Author Yup, it's Vegan
Equipment
Large pot
Sieve or cheesecloth
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients except for the water in a large pot. Add the water gradually, stirring to incorporate the ingredients evenly, especially the miso paste.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30 minutes.
Strain the broth through a sieve. For very clear broth, layer the sieve with cheesecloth first.
Prepared broth can be stored for a week in the fridge, and freezes great for at least a month.
Notes
Recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen.
Nutrition facts are an estimate based on the assumption that some of the nutrition is retained by the solids which are strained out of the broth after cooking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g
FAQs
Beef stock and beef bouillon cubes are made from the bones, cartilage, and meat of cows, making them unsuitable for a vegan diet. Instead, vegans opt for plant-based alternatives when preparing dishes that call for broth or stock.
What is a vegan substitute for beef stock cube? ›
Vegetarian/vegan alternatives to beef stock cubes include mushroom or vegetable bouillon cubes, miso paste, soy sauce, or tamari for umami flavor. Additionally, kombu (seaweed) or nutritional yeast can enhance richness.
What is vegan broth made of? ›
Add celery, carrots, leeks, and garlic; saute for 10 minutes. Add water, parsley, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add soy sauce, liquid smoke, and vegan Worcestershire sauce; simmer for 1 hour.
Can vegans drink broth? ›
While we might not be able to get the exact same nutrients with plants, I knew there had to be a way to create a healing “bone” broth that didn't have any actual bones! So that's what we have here today: a vegan bone broth that is nourishing, delicious and also easy to make.
What beef stock cubes are vegan? ›
Elevate your home-cooked meals with OXO Meat-Free Beef Flavour Stock Cubes. Packed with full-bodied flavour, these stock cubes will transform your plant-based dishes. Dissolve one cube in 190ml of boiling water for mouth-watering vegan beef stock.
Is Worcestershire sauce vegan? ›
The only issue is that regular Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies or fish sauce, so it's not vegan. And while you can buy ready made vegan Worcestershire sauce, it's not necessarily all that widely available across the world. Which is why making your own is a great idea.
What can I use instead of beef broth or stock? ›
Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.
Do vegans eat bouillon cubes? ›
I use paste, powdered or cubed bouillon in almost all savoury meals. Vegan chicken-flavoured bouillon can often be expensive and less accessible so this recipe is super accessible to make no matter where you are. Using just nutritional yeast and seasonings, you can make it yourself.
What can vegan have instead of bone broth? ›
If you're looking for a healthy alternative to regular bone broth, then vegan bone broth is an excellent option. Vegan bone broth is made from mushrooms, onions, and carrots—all of which are very nutritious foods. The mushrooms contain many minerals and vitamins that are essential for good health.
Can vegans eat chicken or beef broth? ›
VEGETARIANS & VEGANS don't consume chicken and beef broth.
Vegetable soups, casseroles and stews aren't always vegetarian or vegan friendly because many use chicken broth. If you're cooking for a vegan or vegetarian, please use veggie broth.
Vegetable stock likely comes unseasoned, while broth usually contains salt and other seasonings. Vegetable stock is made with untrimmed, sometimes whole vegetables, while broth is made from trimmed, roughly chopped vegetables.
Do vegans eat stock cubes? ›
Knorr Vegetable Stock Cube
This is a classic stockpot that's vegan and always handy to have stocked in the cupboard. It's also a great choice for any vegan and gluten-free foodies out there. There's also a zero salt version in case you want to flavour your food creations with salt yourself.
What do vegans not drink? ›
Milk is a product of cows or in some cases Goats. No matter how the milk is produced, even if it is organically farmed, it is not a product that a Vegan will consume. There are a few reasons for this. Like a Vegetarian, Vegans express animal rights concerns with all elements of farming.
What do vegans drink besides water? ›
Great Options for Vegan Drinks
- All sodas that are products of the Coca Cola brand, including co*ke, Barq's Root Beer and Sprite.
- Regular Pepsi.
- Almond Breeze - non-dairy milk and a great beverage among the vegan protein drinks.
- Redbull - a great beverage among the vegan energy drinks category.
Water is vegan by nature (and “diet", as it contains no fat or sugar).
Does beef stock contain meat? ›
Beef stock is typically made of bones and contain a small amount of meat, while broth is typically made with more meat than bones. Stock is typically simmered for a longer amount of time than broth (between three to six hours versus one to two), resulting in a thick gelatinous texture.
Is beef stock considered vegetarian? ›
Beef broth is made from simmering beef bones or meat in water, extracting the flavors and nutrients from the beef. Since it is made from an animal product, beef broth is not considered vegetarian-friendly.
Can a vegetarian eat beef broth? ›
Can vegetarians eat beef broth? They can, but that's up to a vegetarian. Beef broth is made from, as you might have guessed, BEEF bones. Most vegetarians would not eat beef broth.
