Can You Use Chicken Broth with Ground Beef?

Ground beef is a versatile meat that can be used in many dishes, from hamburgers to chili to meatloaf. When cooking with ground beef, liquid is often added to the pan to help create a sauce or gravy. While beef broth is a common choice, chicken broth can also work well. Here’s a look at using chicken broth with ground beef.

Why Use Chicken Broth?

There are a few reasons you may want to use chicken broth rather than beef broth with ground beef

• Milder flavor – Chicken broth has a more subtle lighter flavor than beef broth. This can allow the flavor of the beef to shine through rather than being overpowered.

• Health benefits – Chicken broth is lower in saturated fat and calories compared to beef broth It can be a healthier substitution.

• Easy substitution – Chicken broth is readily available and many home cooks are likely to have it on hand. If you don’t have beef broth, chicken broth can easily stand in.

• Budget-friendly – Chicken broth is typically less expensive than beef broth. If you’re looking to cut costs, opting for chicken broth makes sense.

• Avoid repetition of flavor – In dishes where ground beef is the star, using chicken broth adds a layer of contrasting flavor. The broth won’t compete with the prominent beef taste.

Dishes That Work Well

While chicken broth won’t necessarily work for every ground beef recipe, there are many dishes where it can be seamlessly substituted for beef broth:

• Chili – Using chicken broth allows the flavors of the ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices to remain at the forefront.

• Meatloaf – The milder chicken broth complements and moistens the meat without overpowering it.

• Meatballs – Chicken broth adds moisture while letting the flavor of the meatballs take center stage.

• Sloppy Joes – The tomato-based flavor profile allows the chicken broth to work nicely.

• Tacos – Chicken broth provides a lighter base for taco fillings.

• Pasta sauce – Chicken broth offers a more delicate background note to beefy Bolognese or meat sauces.

• Soup – Many soups pair chicken and beef flavors, so using chicken broth as the base is very appropriate.

Considerations and Substitution Ratio

When substituting chicken broth for beef broth in a ground beef recipe, a few considerations apply:

• Flavor – Adjust any additional seasonings needed. Chicken broth may require a little more salt, pepper, garlic, etc.

• Substitution ratio – Use chicken broth in equal amounts as beef broth called for in the recipe. The liquid quantity does not need adjustment.

• Cooking method – No changes to the cooking method or temperature are needed. Follow the recipe as written.

• Dish type – Avoid using chicken broth in dishes where beef flavor needs to dominate, like cheeseburgers or meatballs. Stick to recipes where chicken broth works best.

Enhancing Flavor of Chicken Broth

If you want to add more savory, beefy flavor to your chicken broth, there are a few easy ways to do it:

• Cook ground beef in the broth first, then strain out the solids. This will infuse the broth with meaty flavor.

• Add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or tomato paste to the broth. A teaspoon or two will add extra umami.

• Sauté aromatics like garlic, onion, or mushrooms in oil first, then add the broth.

• Include dried spices commonly used in beef dishes, like oregano, basil, thyme.

• Allow broth to simmer until reduced to concentrate flavor.

• Stir in a little brown gravy mix or beef soup base if more beef taste is needed.

The Verdict

Chicken broth can be an excellent substitute for beef broth when cooking lean ground beef. Its milder flavor profile often complements and enhances ground beef rather than masking it. However, to avoid dilution of the key beef flavor, chicken broth is best reserved for dishes like chili, pasta sauce, or soup where beef isn’t the lone star. With a few tweaks and flavor enhancers, chicken broth can become the perfect, more affordable cooking liquid to use with healthy ground beef meals.