What is Beef Bouillon?

Beef bouillon is a flavoring made of beef stock or beef-flavored stock, vegetables, herbs, and spices.  Beef bouillon is tightly compressed beef stock and is used to replicate beef stock.  This flavoring dissolves into liquids and typically requires 1 cup of liquid or water to make beef broth.

What are the Different Types of Beef Bouillon?

• Cube
• Paste
• Liquid

Cube

Beef bouillon cubes are one of the easiest forms of bouillon to find.  The bouillon is tightly packed dry ingredients in the shape of a cube or brick.  These cubes are usually individually wrapped, dry, and crumble easily in your hand.  Beef bouillon cubes dissolve easily and thoroughly into hot liquid.

Paste

Beef bouillon paste is a thick, jelly-like liquid that dissolves in hot liquid.  This typically comes in a jar or small, individually sealed plastic containers.

Liquid

Liquid beef bouillon is a thin liquid that flavors dishes. It often comes in a bottle.

How Do You Eat Beef Bouillon?

Since beef bouillon is a flavoring, it is mixed into liquids to flavor them a specific way.  Dishes with red meats typically use beef bouillon to flavor them.  Dishes that use beef bouillon include beef stew, beef and vegetable soup, and marinara meat sauce.

Where Can You Buy Beef Bouillon?

Beef bouillon cubes, paste, and liquid are all found in the spice or broth and stock aisle of the grocery store.

How Do You Store Beef Bouillon?

Store beef bouillon cubes in a sealed, airtight container in a cool, dry place.  If they are individually wrapped, keep them in their wrappers.  Beef bouillon paste and liquid should be stored in a sealed, airtight container, such as their original container, and stored in a cool, dry place.  Opened beef bouillon paste and beef bouillon liquid should be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator.

Fun Fact About Beef Bouillon

Most types of beef bouillon have a thickening agent in them to help thicken your soups and stews.

Did You Know?

You can substitute 1 cup of beef broth with 1 cup of hot or boiling water and a beef bouillon cube.

Recipes Using Beef Bouillon

French Onion Soup

In a large saucepan or stockpot, sauté butter, garlic, and onions until golden brown. Add water, beef bouillon, and season with a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Reduce the heat and cook until the soup had thickened about 30 minutes. Once the soup is done, ladle it into individual portions, top with french bread and shredded Swiss cheese, and broil until the cheese is melted.

One-Pot Beef Stew

Using just a large stockpot, make this one-pot beef stew. In a zip-top bag, add cubed beef and add flour and seasoned salt. Shake the bag to coat the beef with the flour and the salt. In a large stockpot, add a layer of oil and let it heat up. Brown the chunks of beef on all sides in batches, and set them aside. In the same pot, add onion and celery, and cook them until translucent. Add in water, beef bouillon, minced garlic and stir well. Transfer the beef chunks into the set, followed by potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat and cook until the potatoes are tender. Stir in frozen peas 10 minutes before serving.

Beef and Chicken Gravy

Make this quick gravy in less than 10 minutes; with no meat drippings required. In a glass bowl dissolve chicken and beef bouillon cubes in boiling water. In a saucepan, make a roux, with butter and flour. Stir the mixture until the flour begins to cook and season with onion powder and black pepper. Stir in the broth and whisk to remove any lumps. The roux will help the broth thicken quickly. Remove from the heat once you reach your desired consistency and serve with mashed potatoes (or mashed cauliflower.)

Hibachi Soup

This soup is very popular at Japanese teppanyaki restaurants and involves a light broth with mushrooms and onions. To make it, combine celery, onion, carrot, ginger, garlic, and some mushrooms in a large stockpot with some oil. Sauté these vegetables for a moment, and then add water and beef bouillon. When the mixture starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 45 minutes. To serve, strain the vegetables from the broth, and ladle the broth over thinly sliced mushrooms and fried onions.

Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef

Using beef bouillon and some other spices, make a taco seasoning that is perfect for using on ground beef. In a small bowl, combine beef bouillon powder, onion flakes, garlic salt, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. Store this in an airtight container and use it to season ground beef for quick tacos and burritos.