How to Use Bouillon Cubes in Home Canning

How to use bouillon cubes in home canning meat stock. Can you use bouillon when you are canning meat?

Short answer: Yes, you can add chicken bouillon cubes to your chicken stock. But be aware of a few conditions. Canning requires no fillers or thickeners, just bouillon. Here’s a video with more information. Or for a written version check the article below the video.

• Here is some beef bouillon that works very well.
• Or chicken can be found here.

Many people ask about Better than Bouillon brand. It is a fantastic option for cooking, but it has some ingredients that are questionable for canning purposes. I don’t use it or recommend it any more.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Use just bouillon

The bouillon you add should be the basic, plain type—either cubes or granules. Check the ingredients and make sure there are no thickeners or fillers which would not be safe.

Avoid bouillon with fillers

Be cautious of bouillon that contains fillers or other additives. These are not for canning and could affect the quality or safety of your stock. Stick with pure bouillon. Things like onion soup mix is not the best option.

Enhances flavor – but optional

Bouillon is an easy way to add extra richness to your stock. Whether you’re canning beef or chicken broth, a little bouillon can make a big difference in the final taste. But it is not required. You can just can the broth or stock that you make without adding anything extra.

Bouillon does enhance the flavor, and it works just fine. While it’s not something I typically do with chicken stock, I do use beef bouillon cubes when canning venison, so I can vouch for the flavor.

How to use bouillon in home canning.

A reminder… check the ingredients to be sure you have just plain bouillon. No fillers or thickeners or other ingredients.

Note: New recommendations from the NCFHFP

I used to just estimate how much liquid is in a jar, and use that much bouillon. Check the directions on your package. One bouillon cube per jar is what I’d use. Or if it is granules, use enough for 1 cup of broth.

However, The National Center for Home Food Preservation has come out with new recommendations regarding bouillon and home canning. They suggest that bouillon should be dissolved into your liquid before going into the jar. Don’t add a cube per jar or just place your powder or granules into the jar. Heat your water, dissolve your bouillon, and then add to the jar.

The concern is that the bouillon may affect how your ingredients heat up during processing. Since it was likely tested in a liquid state that is what the recommendations are going to be.

I’ve never had a cube not dissolve totally, but I can see the point that the cube will only be dissolved during processing. A minuscule difference… but a difference.

I have not completely decided how I feel about that! Old habits die hard you know. For now, I don’t believe it is necessary to throw away any broth you have canned with dry bouillon. Just decide how you want to proceed in the future.

Bouillon can also be added to canned meat too. This works best if you have a hot pack so there is enough liquid for the bouillon to dissolve. Beef bouillon added to venison adds great flavor!)

Conclusion

So, yes, adding chicken bouillon cubes to your chicken stock is perfectly fine. Just be sure to use bouillon without added fillers, and you’ll have a flavorful and safe product.