Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (2024)

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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.

Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (1)

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.

Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (2)

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.

Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (3)

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.

Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (4)

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.

Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (5)

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.

Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (6)

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5 from 4 votes

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

Ingredients

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

Vegan Beef Broth (or Stock) Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan beef broth made of? ›

Made with dried mushroom powder, nutritional yeast, and a few herbs and spices, this homemade version of meatless broth is much more wholesome and versatile. Whip up a batch in minutes, and you'll be ready to add depth of flavor to everything from vegan "beef" stew to soups, sauces, seitan, and casseroles!

Do vegans eat beef stock? ›

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.

What is a vegan substitute for beef stock cube? ›

Beef-style veggie broth: Our favorite options are the Not Beef bouillon cubes by Edward and Sons, or the No Beef Base by Better Than Bouillon (which comes in a paste). If using Better Than Bouillon, double-check that it's vegan-friendly because they make regular beef bouillon as well.

What is vegan broth made of? ›

Here's how to make a fast vegetable broth:

Sauté alliums (onions, leeks, scallions, garlic) and aromatics (chiles, herbs like rosemary and thyme, lemongrass, ginger), then add nutritional yeast and water, and simmer, partially covered, until flavorful—start checking around 10–15 minutes.

What is the difference between vegan stock and 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.

Is there a vegan beef bouillon? ›

Vegetarian Better Than Bouillon® No Beef Base is Certified Vegan beef flavor, which can be used in soups, gravies and stocks. Better Than Bouillon blendable bases easily spoon right out of the jar and let you add as much, or as little, flavor as desired.

Is Worcestershire sauce vegan? ›

Worcestershire sauce is something that is very handy to have on hand. Not only does it come up as an ingredient in many recipes, but it's also just really tasty to add to your meals. The only issue is that regular Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies or fish sauce, so it's not vegan.

Can vegans drink broth? ›

Turns out, the most beneficial nutrients and electrolytes in bone broth can be found in vegan-friendly sources and the one thing that sets itself apart, the thing that is impossible for vegans to find a veggie replacement for is the collagen. Our bodies can't even digest collagen whole.

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.

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? ›

Yes, you can, and it's the best thing ever! Once you puree the veggies and add your flavorings, portion the bouillon into ice cube trays.

What can vegan have instead of bone broth? ›

As obvious as this may sound, vegetable broth can pass the vegan test if it doesn't include any animal-derived ingredients. So that means using onions, garlic, carrots, parsnips (optional), celery, salt and seaweed and miso paste (both optional), all of which tick the vegan box.

Is miso vegan? ›

Miso is made primarily from soy beans, a grain like rice or barley, and salt, so unless it has been produced in a factory that also processes non-vegetarian ingredients, miso is generally vegan and vegetarian friendly.

How to make beef broth without beef? ›

Directions
  1. Saute onion in a large nonstick soup pot over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add celery, carrots, leeks, and garlic; saute for 10 minutes. ...
  2. Add soy sauce, liquid smoke, and vegan Worcestershire sauce; simmer for 1 hour. Remove and discard vegetables and bay leaves with a slotted spoon.
Sep 10, 2023

How do you thicken vegan broth? ›

Mix mix 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth then stir into the soup. May need to double or triple that depending on how much soup you have. Simmer gently to thicken. The advantage of arrowroot starch over cornstarch is that it does not break down as quickly when heated.

Is vegan bone broth good for you? ›

Broth as Superior Hydration

There's no doubt that our healing Vegan Bone Broth recipe is packed with vitamins and minerals from the choice ingredients in it, including kombu. But another often overlooked benefit to drinking broth is its ability to provide the body with superior hydration than that of water alone.

Is vegan broth as good as bone broth? ›

Bone versus vegan broth

The majority of the nutrients that are found in bone broth can also be found in vegan broths too. The only thing is, there isn't a vegetarian or vegan replacement for collagen.

What are the ingredients in no name beef broth? ›

Ingredients: Water, Salt, Beef Broth, Yeast Extract, Caramel Colour,flavour, Modified Potato Starch, Disodium Inosinate And Disodiumguanylate, Beef Fat, Beef Extract.

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