Better Than Bouillon Soup Base: Product Review

Better Than Bouillon soup base is sold in an 8 ounce jar and comes in paste form. One container makes 9.5 quarts of chicken broth-also available in beef, turkey and vegetable flavors. One teaspoon makes the equivalent of 1 bouillon cube or 8 ounces of broth. Once I tried Better Than Bouillon, I knew I would never go back to regular bouillon cubes again.

Flavor

The flavor of Better Than Bouillon lacks the characteristic "bouillon flavor" and tastes like the real thing. When added to soups or sauces, you would ever guess the rich flavor came from anything other than home cooked chicken and vegetables. Because it is a paste, adjusting the intensity of flavor is quick and easy.

Convenience

The paste dissolves quickly and blends thoroughly without worries of grainy bits of bouillon lingering at the bottom of the dish.

Adjusting the intensity of flavor is easy with the paste form. No more opening another bouillon cube only to discover you have added too much seasoning.

It does require refrigeration, so isn't an option for camping or traveling.

Cost

Better Than Bouillon is more expensive that bouillon cubes and, as of 2010, costs between $5 and $6 dollars a jar. But, a little goes a long way when it comes to adding a hint of seasoning to your home cooked meals. For a family of four-who eats a lot of chicken-a jar lasts a month or two.

Use

I use Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base to season chicken soup, cream of broccoli soup, in stir-fries and to spice up cream sauces for chicken or vegetables. It adds rich flavor to gravy without the fat.

Better Than Bouillon Beef Base is great for beef stews, stroganoff, scrambled hamburger or pot roast. I also use it in beef stir-fries or casseroles made with beef or ground beef. The beef flavor can be intense. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste, until you become accustomed to the flavor.

Better Than Bouillon Turkey Base adds rich flavor to casseroles made with turkey, although I must admit I sometimes use the Chicken Base instead. I'm not overly fond of the Turkey Base, as I don't use turkey often. For those who love the flavor of good turkey gravy, this hits the mark.

I have not tried the Vegetable Base as I keep both chicken base and beef base on hand. I find the chicken base works well in any sauce for vegetables, so I've had no need to try the vegetable base.

Better Than Bouillon is also available in a low sodium base for those who are on salt restricted diets or simply choose not to add sodium to their diet.

Keeping your favorite flavor of Better Than Bouillon soup base on hand provides handy seasoning to spice up that meal without having to go through all the work of making your own chicken or beef broth. Simmered in soups and stews it adds rich flavor that blends well with the natural flavor of cooked meats and vegetables.