Beef consommé is a concentrated broth often used in soups, sauces, and other dishes. It has a rich, beefy flavor that can be difficult to replicate.
It is a traditional dish that originated in France in the 18th century and was served as a starter or appetizer. The dish has been enjoyed for centuries as part of French cuisine, and it’s still popular today.
There are plenty of delicious recipes that make use of beef consommé. But it is not always available or cannot be cooked instantly, as it takes 10-12 hours to cook. However, with a few simple substitutes, you can create a dish that tastes just as good (if not better) than beef consommé.
10 Delicious and Healthy Beef Consommé Substitutes
Beef Broth
Beef broth is one of the top beef consommé substitutes. If you want to add some meaty, flavorful liquid to your dish, this could be the perfect option. Beef broth can be used in soups, sauces, and other dishes.
It has a similar rich beefy flavor as the beef broth serves as the base of beef consommé. Sometimes, they are thought to be similar, but the beef broth is less condensed. To make the broth thicker, you can add some corn starch and simmer it for 20-25 minutes.
Mushroom Consommé
Suppose you are looking for a beef consommé substitute that is vegetarian or vegan-friendly. In that case, a mushroom consommé is an excellent option. Mushroom consommé is made with mushrooms, water, and seasonings.
Mushroom consommé is the perfect way to add some umami into your dish. The earthy flavor of mushrooms goes really well with beef dishes and adds a rich, deep flavor. You can use it in sauces, stews, and other dishes where beef consommé is generally used. If you want to add some extra flavor, try incorporating dried porcini mushrooms into your mushroom consommé.
Bouillon Cubes
Bouillon cubes, also known as stock cubes, are a great way to add beef flavor without using beef consommé. These cubes originated from France and are used in many French dishes. An advantage of using bouillon cubes is that they have a shelf life of 2 years.
They provide a quick and easy way to add some beefy flavor to your dishes. But we don’t recommend these as an option for vegetarians because these cubes contain beef fats. There are, however, a wide variety of variants available in stores for vegetarians.
Other components found in bouillon cubes include stock, dehydrated vegetables, salt, and seasonings. They dissolve in water and can be used to make soups, gravies, casseroles, and other dishes.
Bone Broth
Bone broth, also known as stock, is another excellent beef consommé substitute. It’s made by simmering bones (usually beef or chicken) and connective tissues in water for an extended period (about 7-8 hours). This process extracts all the nutrients and minerals from the bones, which results in a nutrient-rich broth.
Bone broth is rich in protein and compounds such as glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, 19 amino acids, etc. Which makes it beneficial for supporting healthy joints, skin, and digestive systems. It also consists of several vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Bone broth is best served in dishes such as beef stroganoff, beef stew, and beef soup.
Vegetable Broth
Vegetable broth is one of the healthiest beef consommé substitutes and is a good source of vitamins and minerals. And, if you’re a vegetarian, there is no better option than a pure vegetable broth.
Vegetable broth is made with water and roasted vegetables such as onion, celery, garlic, carrots, and mushrooms. It has a light but flavorful taste and a great aroma. This healthy broth can be used in beef stew, curries, and many other dishes.
It can be enhanced by adding different spices and herbs according to your preference. But some of the best herbs and spices to add to vegetable broth include thyme, rosemary, parsley, and black pepper. For an interesting flavor profile, you can also include bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds.
Beer or Wine
Believe it or not, beer or wine can also be used as a beef consommé substitute. Offering a different texture and consistency, they add a depth of flavors unmatched by other substitutes. Beer and wine have been used in cooking for centuries and are a great way to add flavors to dishes.
Beer is made with hops, malt, water, and yeast, while wine is most often made from grapes. Both beer and wine can be used as a substitute for beef consommé in stews, gravies, chilies, and more. One would usually substitute a ½ cup of red wine or beer and a ½ cup of water for 1 cup of the beef consommé.
This substitute is quite strong, so it could suppress the dish’s flavors if the seasoning is not adjusted accordingly. Then using wine or beer in your dishes, make sure to cook the food thoroughly to better metabolize the fermented beverages. You’ll also want to cook as much alcohol out of the sauce as possible.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is yet another perfect beef consommé substitute. It offers a quick and easy way to add some beefy flavor to your dishes. And it’s rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals such as zinc, riboflavin, and selenium.
This Asian sauce is made with soybeans, wheat, water, and salt. It has a salty taste that packs a punch and can boost the taste of the food. Just be careful when adding soy sauce, as it is pretty intense. The substitution ratio for soy sauce is 1 tablespoon for 1 cup of beef consommé. It’s typically a great addition to stir-fries, beef dishes, and other Asian-inspired recipes.
Au Jus
Au jus is a French term that means “with juice”. And it could be described as being something between gravy and a broth. It’s a bit more diluted than gravy but thicker than a broth. And it often makes for an excellent French dip.
This French delight is a beef consommé-based sauce. And it’s often used like gravies and sauces to enhance the flavor of beef dishes. Au jus is made with the liquid leftover in the pan after roasting or cooking beef. It has a rich beefy flavor that goes really well with beef dishes. Remember to adjust the seasoning accordingly as au jus can be rather salty. It is also used to make the beef soft and juicy.
Miso Paste
A staple of Japanese cuisine, miso paste is made of fermented soybeans and includes barley or rice. This flavorful paste originated in Japan but is now widely eaten in most parts of the world.
Miso paste is an ideal substitute for beef consommé. It has a salty, savory, and slightly sweet taste. And it can be used in a variety of dishes and soups, or as a condiment.
When added as a substitute for beef consommé, it brings that much-needed umami flavor to the dish. And, while its primary ingredient is soybeans, your dish won’t be overpowered by the taste of beans. Just like soy sauce, miso paste should be used sparingly to avoid making your dish too salty. Miso paste is an excellent addition to beef stew, gravy, and other Japanese cuisine recipes.
Liquid Aminos
Liquid aminos are also a beef consommé substitute. And it’s great for those looking for a quick vegetarian option to add some beefy flavor to their dishes. Incorporating a high level of amino acids and being naturally gluten-free liquid provides many health benefits.
These liquid aminos are made with soybeans or coconut sap, water, and salt. They have a strong savory and salty taste, similar to the taste of soy sauce. However, liquid aminos are a bit milder and sweeter than soy sauce. Liquid aminos go best with stews, sauces, and casseroles.
Conclusion
There are many beef consommé substitutes available. Some of our favorites include vegetable broth, beer or wine, soy sauce, and au jus. But no matter your preferred substitute, remember to adjust the seasoning accordingly because each has a different flavor profile. So, experiment until you find the perfect substitute for beef consommé that will bring out the desired flavor of your dish.