Chicken broth is the perfect non-vegetarian base for soups, gravies, and sauces. However, if you don’t have 45-60 minutes to prepare a batch of chicken broth from scratch, then getting the canned stuff can be just as good. The only question is, how much broth does a can of chicken broth contain?
On average, a can of chicken broth will contain 14.5 fluid ounces. However, the exact measurements will depend on what brand and size you get. Can sizes typically range from 8 to 24 fluid ounces.
If you’d like to learn more about chicken broth cans—what is broth, how long does it last in the fridge, and how much chicken goes into the broth—you’ll find the answer down below.
What Is Broth?
Broth is a flavorful liquid that is used as a base in soups, gravies, and sauces. It’s a thin liquid that is made by boiling vegetables and the meat of an animal at low heat for long periods of time. The boiling process extracts all the flavor from the vegetables and meat and infuses the water.
Sometimes, you might hear people use broth and stock interchangeably. From a technical standpoint, they are vastly different from each other.
Broth is made from the meat of an animal, whereas stock is a liquid whose flavor originates from animal bones. That said, you can use bones to make broth, as long as there is still meat clinging onto the bone.
Chicken Broth Can Size
When you don’t have the time or energy to whip up a pot of chicken stock from scratch, the most convenient thing you can do is pick up a can of the premade stuff. There’s no need to feel guilty about it since, after all, you’re in charge of what ingredients go into the meals you prepare.
So, how much chicken broth is in a can?
The exact figures will vary from brand to brand, as well as what size can you get. On average, a can of chicken broth will contain 14.5 fluid ounces of broth. Other brands may sell chicken broth in tiny 8-fluid-ounce cans. If you want a larger can, just shop around for a bit until you find large 24-fluid-ounce cans of chicken broth.
As a bonus tip, 1 cup equals 8 fluid ounces. So, the typical 14.5-fluid-ounce can is about the same as 1.8125 or 1-13/16 of a cup.
What Is the Shelf Life of a Can of Chicken Broth?
Canned chicken broth can last on the shelf for up to 2 years. However, as a nonperishable item, canned chicken broth will take several more years for it to go bad in the can. That said, you should still follow the date printed on the bottom of the can since the broth’s flavor or texture may have slightly changed after that date.
It’s a completely different story if you’ve already opened the can. After punching holes into a can of chicken broth, it has a shelf of life around 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Luckily, you can freeze chicken broth to extend its shelf life by several months.
How to Freeze Chicken Broth?
Whether you purchased chicken broth in a can or made it from scratch, you can freeze the liquid to extend its shelf life by 3 months, on average. So, if you’ve opened a can of chicken broth and still have half the can remaining, you might want to stick it in the freezer to stop it from spoiling.
- But before doing that, follow these steps:
- Pour the room-temperature or cold chicken stock into a resealable bag or airtight container.
- Remove as much air from the bag as possible.
- Seal the bag or airtight container.
- Write the date you poured the broth into the bag or container. That way, you’ll know whether 3 months have passed or not the next time you try and use the broth. It might also be a good idea to write how many cups or fluid ounces of broth is in the bag or container.
- Insert it in the freezer, making sure it’s as far away from the freezer door as possible.
Alternatively, you can pour the chicken broth into your freezer’s ice cube tray. When the broth is completely frozen, transfer it to a resealable bag or airtight container. You can pop out an individual broth cube whenever you want to make a single serving of soup or gravy.
While it’s ideal to defrost your broth before cooking it, it’s not entirely necessary. You can insert the frozen broth into the microwave and use the defrost function until it’s partially thawed. After that, feel free to pour the broth into a stockpot and use it in accordance with your recipe.
How Much Chicken Is Used in Chicken Broth?
The amount of chicken used to make broth varies from recipe to recipe. Some people have found that 3 pounds of chicken parts is perfect for making between 2 and 3 quarts of broth. Others will use a ratio system, where 1 pound of chicken is boiled in 2 quarts of water, producing roughly 1.75 quarts of broth after all is said and done.
When it comes to the store-bought stuff, there is no reliable way to accurately gauge how much chicken meat goes into broth. All we know for certain is that the manufacturers tell us that they use “real chickens” and bones before processing the broth with a unique clarifying process to give it its semi-transparent hue.
Bouillon Cube vs. Broth
From a visual and textural standpoint, bouillon cubes and broth couldn’t be more different. A bouillon cube is a cube that is made of dehydrated broth, where the resulting powder has been compacted into the shape of a cube. Broth comes in a liquid state. Bouillon cubes can be used to make stock since, after all, it is merely dehydrated stock or broth.
You can follow the instruction on the package to see how many cubes you will need for your recipe. In general, a single bouillon cube is good for making 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) of broth. So, if your recipe calls for a quart of broth, you will need 4 bouillon cubes.
You can substitute bouillon cubes with powdered broth. 1 teaspoon is about the same as 1 bouillon cube, which is good for 1 cup of broth.
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