🥬 Vegetables & Aromatics

Vegan Vegetable Broth Substitute: Plant-Based Alternatives

Find the best vegan vegetable broth substitutes. Discover plant-based alternatives like mushroom broth, water with seasonings, and vegan bouillon cubes that work perfectly in vegan cooking.

Quick Answer

The best vegan vegetable broth substitutes are mushroom broth (1:1 ratio), water with seasonings, or vegan bouillon cubes. These provide excellent flavor while maintaining plant-based integrity.

Best Substitutes

Mushroom Broth

1:1

Rich, earthy broth made from mushrooms and vegetables

Best for:

Mushroom dishesHearty soupsRisottoWhen you want umami flavor

Perfect for vegan recipes. Adds deep, earthy flavor and umami richness.

Water + Seasonings

1 cup vegetable broth = 1 cup water + 1/2 tsp salt + herbs

Simple, customizable vegan substitute

Best for:

Cooking grainsSoupsWhen you want to control flavorEmergency substitute

Most basic vegan substitute. Add herbs, spices, and salt to taste.

Vegan Bouillon Cubes/Powder

1 cup vegetable broth = 1 cup water + 1 vegan bouillon cube

Convenient vegan broth substitute

Best for:

Quick cookingWhen you need instant flavorLarge batch cookingEmergency substitutions

Check labels to ensure they're vegan. Very convenient but may be high in sodium.

Miso Broth

1 cup vegetable broth = 1 cup water + 1 tbsp miso paste

Umami-rich broth made from fermented soybeans

Best for:

Asian dishesWhen you want umami flavorSoupsRisotto

Adds deep umami flavor. Whisk miso into hot water until dissolved.

Coconut Water

1:1

Natural liquid from young coconuts

Best for:

Asian dishesLight soupsWhen you want natural sweetnessSmoothies

Much sweeter than vegetable broth. Best for specific flavor profiles.

Vegetable Stock

1:1

Homemade or store-bought vegetable stock

Best for:

All vegan cookingSoupsSaucesGrains

Essentially the same as vegetable broth. Check labels for vegan certification.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For vegan cooking, mushroom broth provides the most umami flavor
  • 💡For quick vegan cooking, use vegan bouillon cubes or powder
  • 💡For Asian vegan dishes, miso broth adds excellent umami flavor
  • 💡For light vegan dishes, coconut water can work for specific applications
  • 💡For homemade vegan broth, simmer vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and herbs
  • 💡For vegan risotto, use mushroom broth or miso broth for best results
  • 💡For vegan soups, any of these substitutes work well as the base
  • 💡For vegan sauces, use a flavorful substitute like mushroom or miso broth
  • 💡Always check labels to ensure substitutes are truly vegan
  • 💡For vegan baking, water with seasonings works best for most applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best vegan vegetable broth substitutes. Discover plant-based alternatives like mushroom broth, water with seasonings, and vegan bouillon cubes that work perfectly in vegan cooking.