Chicken broth is a versatile and useful ingredient for cooking. It can be used to make soups, stews, sauces, gravies, and more. Chicken broth comes canned in a variety of sizes to suit different recipes and purposes.
Common Chicken Broth Can Sizes
Some of the most common sizes for canned chicken broth are:
- 14.5 oz – One of the most popular and widely available sizes
- 32 oz – Larger and good for making big batches of soup or stew
- 10.5 oz – A smaller single-serving size option
- 4 oz – Tiny individual serving size cans
- 1 quart – 32 oz cans sometimes labeled as 1 quart
- 8 oz – Another smaller individual size
- 16 oz – In between the 14.5 oz and 32 oz sizes
Uses for Different Sized Cans
The different chicken broth can sizes can be useful for the following purposes:
14.5 oz
This medium can size works well for:
- Making soups and stews for 2-4 servings
- Cooking grains like rice or quinoa
- Adding flavor and moisture to dishes like casseroles
- Using as a base for gravy or sauce
32 oz
The larger 32 oz cans allow you to:
- Make big batches of soup to feed a crowd or meal prep for the week
- Simmer tough cuts of meat into tender, fall-apart dishes
- Cook a large quantity of rice or other grains
- Prepare gravy or sauce for a holiday meal
10.5 oz
The 10.5 oz cans work well for:
- Making a single serving of soup
- Cooking a small amount of grains or rice
- Adding to a personal casserole
- Using for sauces for an individual meal
4 oz
The tiny 4 oz cans are good for:
- Packing in lunches for a quick mini soup
- Cooking a very small side of rice
- Adding a touch of savory flavor to a sauce or gravy
- Seasoning a single serving dish
1 Quart/32 oz
Quart sized cans give you all the benefits of the 32 oz size like:
- Making large batches of soup
- Simmering meats
- Cooking lots of grains
- Preparing big batches of gravy
8 oz
The 8 oz cans are good for uses such as:
- Adding flavor to a small recipe
- Cooking a side of grains
- Making a mini serving of soup
- Using as a seasoning for vegetables or meats
16 oz
16 oz cans allow you to:
- Make a moderate sized pot of soup
- Cook enough rice or quinoa for a few side dish servings
- Prepare gravy or sauce for a small gathering
- Add savory flavor to a casserole or stew
Comparing Chicken Broth Can Sizes
| Can Size | Amount | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 14.5 oz | About 1 3/4 cups | Medium recipes, 2-4 servings of soup, cooking grains |
| 32 oz | 4 cups | Large batches of soup, simmering meats, big recipes |
| 10.5 oz | About 1 1/4 cups | Single servings of soup, cooking small amounts of grains |
| 4 oz | 1/2 cup | Packable lunches, seasoning single servings |
| 1 Quart/32 oz | 4 cups | Same benefits as 32 oz size |
| 8 oz | 1 cup | Flavoring small recipes, cooking small grain sides |
| 16 oz | 2 cups | Moderate soup batches, medium grain amounts, gravy for small gatherings |
Shelf Life of Canned Chicken Broth
Properly stored unopened canned chicken broth has a very long shelf life. Here are some general guidelines for how long it lasts:
- Canned low-sodium chicken broth: 2 to 5 years past the “best by” date printed on the can.
- Regular canned chicken broth: 2 to 3 years past the printed date.
Once opened, canned broth should be used within 4-5 days and refrigerated. Some ways to tell if opened canned chicken broth has gone bad are:
- Mold is growing in the can or the broth has visible signs of spoilage.
- The broth has an unpleasant or “off” odor.
- The taste is noticeably bad or sour.
As long as it was stored properly and the can is not damaged, commercially canned chicken broth has a very long shelf stable life unopened. It’s best to use opened cans within a week though.
Low Sodium vs Regular Chicken Broth
Canned chicken broth is available in both low sodium and regular varieties. Here’s how they compare:
- Low sodium: Contains around 140mg of sodium per serving. Good for those limiting salt intake.
- Regular: Has around 330mg sodium per serving. More salty savory flavor.
Other than the sodium content, low sodium and regular chicken broth are very similar in ingredients and nutrition. Low sodium has a bit less flavor intensity but can add savory notes without spiking sodium levels.
Canned vs Homemade Chicken Broth
Both canned and homemade chicken broth have their advantages. Here’s a comparison:
- Canned: Very convenient shelf-stable option. Consistent flavor and quality.
- Homemade: Fresher taste. Can customize ingredients and seasoning.
For most everyday cooking needs, canned chicken broth works well and saves a lot of time. But homemade can’t be beat for getting maximum flavor extraction and control over ingredients.
Popular Brands of Canned Chicken Broth
Some of the top selling canned chicken broth brands include:
- Swanson
- Campbell’s
- Progresso
- Kirkland
- Pacific Foods
- Imagine
- Kitchen Basics
- Trader Joe’s
Look for low or no sodium options if trying to cut down on salt intake. Organic chicken broth brands are also available if you want to avoid GMOs or preservatives.
Chicken Broth vs Chicken Stock
Chicken broth and chicken stock are very similar ingredients, but there are some subtle differences:
- Chicken broth: Typically made from chicken meat + bones. Light bodied and thin.
- Chicken stock: Made from just chicken bones. More gelatinous and rich.
However, the terms are often used interchangeably. When purchasing canned versions, there is little major difference between broth and stock.
How is Canned Chicken Broth Made?
Commercial canned chicken broth is made using a controlled manufacturing process. Here are the basic steps:
- Chicken meat and bones are simmered to extract flavor.
- The broth is strained to remove solids.
- Other ingredients like salt, vegetables, and seasoning may be added.
- The broth is canned in sterile containers and sealed.
- The sealed cans are heated to 250°F to kill bacteria and pathogens.
- The chicken broth cans are cooled and labeled for shipping.
Strict quality control ensures canned chicken broth is free of contaminants and has a long shelf life. The canning process gives it convenience and versatility as an ingredient.
Tips for Cooking with Canned Chicken Broth
Canned chicken broth can enhance the flavor of many everyday dishes. Here are some useful tips for cooking with it:
- Add it to rice, quinoa or other grains as they cook for extra flavor.
- Use it as a base for soups, stews, braises, and simmered meats.
- Whisk canned broth into pan sauces and gravies for a savory note.
- Pour a little into veggie side dishes for moisture and seasoning.
- Substitute it 1:1 for water in canned soup recipes.
- Combine it with wine or tomatoes for an easy cooking liquid.
Canned chicken broth is endlessly versatile in the kitchen. Keep several cans on hand for conveniently boosting flavor in all types of recipes.
Conclusion
Canned chicken broth is available in a range of sizes from massive quart cans to tiny 4 oz individual servings. The most common sizes used for everyday cooking are 14.5 oz and 32 oz. Smaller cans work for portable lunches or single servings while larger cans allow you to make big batches for meal prepping. Compare sodium content and brands to find the best options for your needs. Properly stored unopened cans have a shelf life up to 5 years for convenient long term pantry storage. Chicken broth can be substituted 1:1 for water in any recipe for added savory flavor. Keep canned chicken broth on hand for an easy way to enhance soups, grains, sauces, vegetables and many other everyday dishes.
