Vegan Bouillon (Easy-to-Use and Sustainable)

Not sure how to use vegan bouillon in your everyday cooking? In this guide, we'll share the many reasons why this tasty, plant-based concentrate is top of the list of essential pantry staples.
post featured image
A cutting board with vegan bouillon and soup ingredients and a soup stock pot.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my policy page.

When it comes to creating delicious and nourishing vegan broths, one ingredient you should never overlook is vegan bouillon. This vegetable, or vegetable-based bouillon, serves as the flavorful foundation for countless plant-based recipes, adding depth and complexity to soups, stews, sauces, and more. It’s a pantry essential for both long-time vegans and those just beginning to dip their toes into the world of plant-based cooking.

Making delicious vegan broth on the spur of the moment isn’t as hard as you think! Adding a seasoned broth can really spice up your meals with little or no effort. It’s a smart and handy choice for adding depth and complexity to almost any plant-based dish—making bouillon a must-have in any vegan pantry or vegetarian kitchen.

It’s time to be break into the world of bouillon, friends!

What Is Vegan Bouillon?

Simply put, vegan bouillon is a concentrated broth or seasoning typically available in paste, cube, or powder form. It can mimic the rich flavors of traditional animal-based broths, adding a savory and aromatic base for your favorite recipes.

Is bouillon vegan? The complicated answer is that some, but not all, bouillon is vegan. All vegetable bouillon is vegan-friendly, but other flavors need investigating—and that’s why this guide is here.

A stack of vegetarian bouillon cubes on a cutting board.

Why Use Vegan Bouillon?

Whether you use vegan bouillon cubes, vegan bouillon powder, or paste, this ingredient brings a world of flavor to your kitchen, enhancing the taste of your dishes with ease. Here are some of the reasons why it’s a must-have for every vegan cook:

  • Versatility: Whether you’re whipping up a hearty vegetable soup, a creamy pasta sauce, or a flavorful risotto, a touch of vegetable bouillon can add just the right spark of deliciousness to your dishes.
  • Convenience: Packaged in easy-to-dissolve cubes, concentrated pastes, or powders, vegetable bouillon allows you to quickly incorporate broth into your cooking, even when you’re short on time.
  • Sustainability: Most pastes come in glass jars that can be recycled and cubes typically come packaged in cardboard and wrapped in foil. Also, by choosing plant-based bouillon instead of animal-based broths, you reduce your environmental footprint and contribute to a more compassionate food system.
  • Flavor Variety: From classic vegetable to exotic herb and spice blends, bouillon makes it easier to experiment with different tastes and flavor combinations.
  • Long Shelf Life: Bouillon typically has a long shelf life and is an excellent solution for minimizing food waste.
Broth added to the potato leek soup cooking in a dutch oven.

How To Use Vegetable Bouillon

Using vegetable bouillon is as easy as using vegan broth or stock—just mix the appropriate amount needed with water! You can also use it as a way to add flavor to your favorite dishes. Here are some delicious ways to incorporate it into your meals:

  • When you’re in the mood for soup and a sandwich, there’s nothing better than a bowl of Creamy Tomato Soup and a crispy vegan grilled cheese!
  • Potato Lovers will fall in love with this rich and satisfying Vegan Potato Soup and Vegan Potato Leek Soup recipes!
  • Chickpea Noodle Soup is like first-aid for the soul. Perfect for boosting your spirits when you’re feeling under the weather and delicious dipped with crispy flax crackers.
  • Cook up a batch of enchilada pasta for dinner—it’s made with vegetable bouillon!
  • Boost the flavor in your pastas, grains, beans, stir fries, and vegetable dishes by adding some bouillon!
Flatlay photo of the green pea soup ingredients including frozen peas, broccoli, and potatoes.

Best Vegan Bouillon Brands

Now it’s time to share the best vegan bouillon brands on the market. This list includes tasty and cruelty-free options, perfect for both new and experienced plant-based cooks. Find your ideal addition for the most delicious kitchen creations! The following brands offer one or more vegan bouillon options:

Better Than Bouillon

Better Than Bouillon offers a fantastic range of vegan bouillon options that have quickly become a favorite among plant-based and vegetarian cooks. Their concentrated pastes dissolve easily in hot water, allowing for precise control of flavor intensity. Additionally, they come in various flavors such as Vegetable, No Chicken, and No Beef, as well as a mushroom, roasted garlic, and sauteed onion.

Better Than Bouillon's Vegan No Chicken Base
Better Than Bouillon’s Vegan No Chicken Base

Born Simple Broth Concentrate

Rich and flavorful Born Simple vegan broth concentrate offers a convenient and flavorful plant-based broth solution, perfect for enhancing the taste of your dishes with ease. Choose from Chicken-Style or Beef-Style options or a mix pack.

A white crockery bowl filled with autumn soup and next to an orange squeeze bottle of Born Simple vegan chicken-style broth against an orange background.
Vegan Chicken-Style Broth by Born Simple (Source: @bornsimplefoods on Instagram)

Edward & Sons Bouillon

Classic and delicious Edward & Sons bouillon delivers a savory punch to your recipes, providing a convenient and tasty vegan option for elevating the flavors of your favorite dishes. Options include Not Chick’n, Not Beef, Garden Veggie, Yellow Curry, Hot & Sour, Savory Onion, and Not Fish.

Frontier Co-Op Bouillon

Frontier presents many tasty and versatile plant-based options, adding robust flavor to your meals with its convenient and easy-to-use vegan bouillon powder formulation. Their appealing flavors include No-Chicken, No-Beef, Vegetable, Low Sodium, and Curry.

Hella Phat Vegan

Hella Phat vegetable bouillon brings robust and flavorful options to your dishes, providing a pleasing and versatile solution for enhancing the taste of your favorite recipes. Choose from No Chick or No Beef options.

A plastic jar of Hella Phat Vegan No Beef Bouillon against a white background filled with green leaves.
No Beef Bouillon by Hella Phat Vegan (Source: @hellaphatvegan on Instagram)

Kitchen Accomplice Concentrate

Kitchen Accomplice veggie broth concentrate enhances your meals with a convenient and versatile blend, bringing a burst of flavor to your favorite dishes effortlessly.

Knorr Bouillon Cubes

Knorr vegetable bouillon, a trusted kitchen companion, enriches your culinary creations with its savory blend, effortlessly adding depth and deliciousness to a variety of dishes.

Kroma Veggie Powder Mix

This brand’s Veggie Powder Mix transforms your meals with an inventive blend, providing a burst of natural and savory flavors that take your dishes to new heights. Includes ingredients such as chocho plant protein, miso, vegetables, and a unique spice blend.

Marigold Vegan Bouillon Cubes

This gluten-free vegan bouillon is your secret weapon in the kitchen. Marigold offers a harmonious blend of natural ingredients that imparts a rich and savory depth to your dishes, ensuring a delightful dining experience. Comes packaged as a powder or in cube form.

A white bowl filled with tomato soup and herbs next to a can of Marigold vegan vegetable bouillon and a spoon with the power still in it.
Organic, vegan vegetable bouillon by Marigold (Source: @marigoldhealthfoods on Instagram)

McKay’s Instant Broth Powder

This tasty powdered soup seasoning is your new kitchen ally! McKay’s instant broth effortlessly enriches soups and dishes with its robust and well-balanced blend. Choose from Vegan Beef, Vegan Chicken, and No MSG varieties.

Sazon Bouillon Powder

Sazon’s vegetable bouillon is a wonder in the kitchen! This veggie broth powder infuses your recipes with a vibrant medley of natural flavors. Sourced directly from Mexico, all of Sazon’s all-natural products are free of gluten, chemicals preservatives, and MSG.

Seitenbacher Vegan Broth Powder

This brand’s vegetable broth and seasoning is a kitchen staple and offers a delicious blend of natural flavors to enhance your soups and dishes. With wholesome ingredients, it brings a hearty and satisfying touch to your homemade meals. There’s nothing artificial added.

Simple Girl Dry Bouillon Base

Simple Girl dry bouillon base is a must-have in your pantry, bringing a burst of savory goodness to your meals. With clean and simple ingredients, it ensures a flavorful and guilt-free culinary experience. It’s vegan and is free of MSG and gluten.

Spice + Leaf Premuim Powdered Broth

Spice + Leaf vegan broth base enhances your cooking with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. It creates a versatile and delectable foundation, effortlessly elevating the depth of flavor in your plant-based creations. Free of salt, chemicals, fillers, preservatives, and GMOs.

Vogue Vegetarian Chicken-Flavor Bouillon

Vogue Vegetarian Chicken Style Base Bouillon transforms your vegetarian and vegan recipes with its savory and versatile profile, bringing a delightful chicken-like essence to your diverse dishes. Contains no preservatives, no additives, reduced sodium, and gluten-free.

Zoup! No-Chicken Paste

Zoup’s No-Chicken Base bouillon captivates your taste buds with its distinctive blend. This brand’s bouillon broth creates a savory foundation for your recipes and infuses your dishes with a plant-powered twist.

How to Choose Vegan Bouillon

When selecting a vegan chicken bouillon or a vegan beef bouillon brand, be sure to check the ingredient list. Most brands of vegetable bouillon are accidentally vegan, but look more carefully at other flavors to make sure they include only plant-based ingredients.

Look for options that fit your dietary needs or cooking style such as organic, low-sodium, or reduced-salt options. For the healthiest option, keep your eye out for brands that have a small number of ingredients and little to no preservatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chicken bouillon vegan?

If the ingredients do not include any animal-based ingredients, then it is vegan. Most chicken bouillons are not vegan. But, there are some vegan brands that use labels such as “no chicken” or “chicken style” for a similarly flavored bouillon product.

Is Better Than Bouillon vegan?

Not all Better Than Bouillon products are vegan. But Better Than Bouillon does offer seven vegan/vegetarian options, which you can find here. These include their vegetable base, roasted garlic bouillon, mushroom bouillon, no beef bouillon, no chicken bouillon, and sautéed onion bouillon bases.

Is Knorr chicken bouillon vegan?

Knorr chicken bouillon is not vegan. One of the ingredients is chicken fat, which is an animal-derived ingredient.

newsletter offer

Enter to Win Our Monthly Giveaway!

Submit your name and email below for a chance to win a new copy of The Friendly Vegan Cookbook! You’ll also receive our free weekly e-newsletter with plant-based recipes, news, vegan coupons, and more. Come back each month for a chance to win new prizes!

Thank you for subscribing!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

no comments

Stay Inspired!

Thank you for subscribing!