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I’ve been working on this chicken bouillon powder recipe for quite a while now. My goal has been to come up with a gluten-free bouillon powder blend that is true to chicken flavor but also gluten-free and sugar-free. I wanted it to dissolve in water to create flavorful chicken broth.
Mostly, I wanted our favorite recipes to be safe for gluten intolerant family members. But, it was important to retain the great chicken flavor in those original recipes. Because those are the dishes my family loves.
I knew that nutritional yeast would be the base of my bouillon recipe. I’ve used it to develop rich flavor in gluten-free and Whole30 recipes, in the past. It had to work in any recipe that called for chicken broth or bouillon. This scrumptious Zuppa Toscana is a family favorite example.
The trick was discovering just the right herbs and seasonings and combining them in the correct proportions. I’m so pleased with this final version of chicken bouillon powder! I feel like it really does have the chicken flavor and aroma I was hoping for. It makes an excellent chicken broth for cooking, too. I can’t wait for you to try it!
This easy chicken bouillon powder is going to become a familiar ingredient in my new recipes, and I hope to go back and edit old recipes to include it over time.
In This Post:
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The Ingredients
What Is Nutritional Yeast?
Why Make Your Own Bouillon Powder?
FAQs About Homemade Bouillon Powder
How to Make Chicken Bouillon Powder
Recipes to Use Chicken Bouillon Powder In
The Ingredients
Nutritional Yeast (see below)
Good Quality, Fine-Grain Sea Salt (I used red. Use whatever fine-grain sea salt you normally have on hand.)
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Dried Parsley
Rubbed Sage / Dried Sage
Dried Rosemary
Dried Thyme
Turmeric Powder
Black Pepper
What Is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is a completely natural food loaded with vitamins, minerals and proteins. It is NOT the same as baker’s yeast, which is used to make bread or brewer’s yeast, so please don’t try to use either of those as a substitute.
Nutritional yeast grows on sugar cane and beet molasses. After it’s harvested, producers heat the yeast to deactivate it.
It’s a good source of B vitamins, folate and niacin. It contains 18 amino acids, 9 of which make it a complete protein. Fiber and glutathione are more beneficial components of nutritional yeast. Plus, it’s dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
I use nutritional yeast in many of my recipes, including Homemade Taco Seasoning. This wholesome ingredient is always on my pantry shelves. I also use it to flavor soups, stews, and chicken broth.
I’ve recently seen that you can buy it at Walmart now. And I’m guessing many local markets also carry nutritional yeast. I use it quite a lot, so I typically buy it in bulk on Amazon [affiliate link].
Nutritional yeast is a big contributor to the chicken flavor and adds to the savoriness of the recipe so you can produce the best-tasting chicken broth possible. It has that satisfying savory flavor that we often associate with meat or cheese.
Why Make Your Own Bouillon Powder?
Flavor: There is simply no comparison. Homemade bouillon has a deeper flavor and uses all the herbs and seasoning you would use to roast a chicken. Your recipes will take on those familiar flavors and aromas and your brain will think chicken even where there is none.
Salt: You can control the salt in this recipe. You can adjust the levels to your own tastes. But don’t eliminate it. Read the FAQs below for why.
MSG: Many commercial brands rely on MSG to get any flavor into their product. Unfortunately, my husband gets terrible headaches from MSG. So, having a chicken bouillon substitute that doesn’t make him ill is a HUGE bonus.
Aroma: The homey, comforting aroma of the roast chicken herbs wafts out of the jar every time I open it. And all the delicious flavor those aromatic herbs bring gets cooked into my dishes. Heavenly!
Fillers, Preservatives, Chicken Fat Powder: If you read the label of commercial bouillon, you might notice fillers, preservatives, anti-clumping agents, sugar and even powdered chicken fat. I don’t need those in my chicken broth, and I don’t add any to the bouillon I use to make it.
FAQs About Homemade Bouillon Powder
What are the functions of salt in bouillon powder? Can I leave it out?
The Short Answer? No. Don’t leave out the salt. Here’s why.
The Long Answer: Honestly, all recipes (even sweet ones) need a little salt. Savory recipes, especially, need an adequate amount. The goal isn’t to taste salt but to taste deeper tones of the flavors you’re cooking into your dish. Salt, in the appropriate amount, can do that.
While I agree that commercial bouillon brands can be pretty heavy-handed with salt, I have tested and retested this recipe to find a good balance. There’s enough to enhance flavor without overwhelming the food with saltiness. Remember, it will be super diluted when added to recipes.
Salt is a natural flavor enhancer. When you use small amounts, it decreases bitter flavors while boosting sweet, sour and umami. In larger quantities, salt actually diminishes sweetness but enhances savoriness. Which is fantastic in your favorite comfort food recipes.
Salt also enhances the texture of foods, works as a natural preservative and includes essential minerals.
Of course, you should always determine the right amount of salt for you and your family. And definitely adjust the recipe to your own needs. However, I would encourage you to try the recipe as written before adjusting salt levels.
I had Hawaiian Red Sea Salt [affiliate link] in the pantry. Use any good quality, fine grain sea salt.Do bouillon cubes go bad? (or bouillon powder?)
You can expect chicken bouillon powder (or cubes) to last 12 to 18 months. The flavor may weaken if you go much past 12 months, though. I use it often, so I’ve never had a batch last that long.
How to Make Chicken Bouillon Powder
Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender or smoothie blender pitcher.
Cover the blender jar tightly with a lid and then blend to create a powder of even consistency and to incorporate and distribute all the ingredients thoroughly.
Leave the lid on the blender jar for a minute or two. This will allow the powder to settle. And you won’t get a big puff of bouillon out into your kitchen.
Seal the chicken bouillon powder in an airtight container. Store it in a cool dark cupboard with other herbs, spices and seasoning blends.
To create broth with the bouillon, dissolve one teaspoon in 1 cup of hot water. Substitute in recipes calling for bouillon in a 1 to 1 ratio.
Recipes to Use Chicken Bouillon Powder In
You will be able to create broth/stock for recipes or add the bouillon to the recipe as an ingredient. Here are some recipes that it will work beautifully in:
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Jalapeno Chicken and Corn Chowder
Lentils and Rice Casserole
10 Minute Mexican Rice
Slow Cooker Charro Beans (Pinto Beans)
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot Poblano Chicken Chili
Colcannon Soup
Zuppa Toscana
Avocado Lime Chicken Soup
Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup
Slow Cooker Refried Beans
Jalapeno Chicken & Corn ChowderChicken Pot Pie SoupLentils and Rice Casserole10 Minute Mexican Rice
I hope you’ll make this recipe and enjoy it in your own favorite family dishes. Have a wonderfully blessed weekend, Friend!!
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Easy Homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder adds delicious roast chicken flavor and aroma to your recipes. It’s vegan, gluten free, dairy free and sugar free. The balance of salt to herbs to nutritional yeast creates a rich and flavorful broth to use in your favorite dishes. Healthy and tasty!
UPDATE: This recipe was updated on 5/18/2024 to include a bay leaf and to switch to a 2:1 ratio with commercial brands. If you prefer the old version, omit the bay leaf and use 1 teaspoon of homemade to replace 1 teaspoon of commercial.
Ingredients
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1cup Nutritional Yeast
1/4cup sea salt
1/4cup onion powder
1/4cup garlic powder
1/4cup dried parsley leaves
1 Tablespoon rubbed sage
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 teaspoons turmeric powder
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 bay leaf (or 1/4 teaspoon ground bay leaf)
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Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender or smoothie blender pitcher.
Cover the blender jar tightly with a lid and then blend to create a powder of even consistency and to fully incorporate and distribute all the ingredients.
Leave the lid on the blender jar for a minute or two. This will allow the powder to settle. And, you won’t get a big puff of bouillon out into your kitchen.
Seal the chicken bouillon powder into an airtight container. Store it in a cool dark cupboard with other herbs, spices and seasoning blends.
To create chicken broth with the bouillon, dissolve 2 teaspoon in 1 cup of hot water. Substitute in recipes calling for bouillon in a 2 to 1 ratio. Two teaspoons of homemade bouillon for 1 teaspoon of commercial bouillon.
