Vegetable Stock vs. Chicken Stock – What’s The Difference?

Using stock in your recipes is a great way to enhance the flavors of your dish. Although water can be used, these liquids infused with flavor work really well. The primary purpose of stock is to enhance the flavor in your recipe.

Some of the most common ingredients that you will find in stock are vegetables and chicken. This leads to the question of vegetable stock or chicken stock; what’s the difference? As the name suggests, chicken stock is made from chicken and vegetables, while vegetable stock is primarily made from only vegetables.

This difference leads to varying flavor profiles and nutritional value of both types of stocks. In this article, we will be having a deeper look into the differences between the two and the best way to use them in any recipe. So, keep on reading to learn more about them, leading you to have more delicious meals.

First, we must learn what exactly stock is and how it is used. The key purpose is to provide the dish with a base flavor and enhance other flavors. This is the reason why it is commonly used in making soups, gravy and other kinds of dishes.

The most efficient way to obtain natural flavor and juices from your ingredients is to use stock. It ensures that you have not just a nutritious meal but one which bursts with flavor and juice. This basic rule applies to both kinds of stock chicken and vegetables alike.

Vegetable Stock

Vegetable stock adds a savory flavor to the dish and does not overpower all the other flavors in the dish. Vegetables like onions, celery, carrots and mushrooms are used in its making. Moreover, one other thing to be kept in mind is that not all vegetables are used to make stock, such as potatoes and starchy vegetables are avoided.

Making a delicious stock involves following a few steps and keeping a couple of things in mind. The first step is to use good ingredients such as fresh onions, carrots, mushrooms, or other vegetables, as this is going to make a lot of difference. Another way to get the most taste from your vegetables is by blending or roasting them.

Be it vegetable or chicken stock, and you have to make sure to store it properly to increase its shelf life. This is the reason that you have first to let your stock cool down and stir it so the flavors are added evenly. Once the stock is cool, you can transfer it to a container and make sure to keep it sealed tight.

The stock can then be put in a freezer and last for about 6 to 8 months. However, one thing to keep in mind is that freezing may lead to flavor loss of the stock. When the time comes, and you want to use your stock, you simply need to let your stock heat to room temperature and then use it in your recipe.

Nutritional Facts

A serving of one cup of vegetable stock includes the following nutritional value:

• Total Calories 13 kcal
• Total Fat 0.1g
• Saturated Fat 0.1g
• Trans Fat 0g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
• Monounsaturated Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 0mg
• Sodium 667mg
• Potassium 44mg
• Total Carbohydrates 2.2g
• Dietary Fiber 0g
• Sugars 1.3g
• Protein 0.5g

Health Benefits

Vegetable stock is a great way to consume recommended daily intake of fibers. Fiber aids in keeping your digestive health in check and maintaining a healthy intestine. Moreover, vegetable stock is also rich in nutrients and greatly helps in optimizing body and brain function.

Vegetable stock is also rich in vitamin A, which improves eye health. Vitamin A enhances vision and also prevents various eye diseases from occurring. The vegetable stock also works as an antioxidant and protects cells from free radical damage.

Chicken Stock

Unlike vegetable stock made from only vegetables, chicken stock is made from vegetables and chicken. It has a comparatively rich taste than vegetable stock and also tastes meaty. This is the key reason when making gravy chicken stock in preferred.

When it comes to making good chicken stock, you should only choose the best ingredients. Moreover, it should also be used to make it a more economical carcass along with wings and drumsticks after all these parts contain the most percentage of gelatin which is crucial in making chicken stock.

Be it vegetable or chicken stock, and you have to make sure to store it properly to increase its shelf life. This is the reason that you have first to let your stock cool down and stir it so the flavors are added evenly. Once the stock is cool, you can transfer it to a container and make sure to keep it sealed tight.

The stock can then be put in a freezer and last for about 6 to 8 months. However, one thing to keep in mind is that freezing may lead to flavor loss of the stock. When the time comes, and you want to use your stock, you simply need to let your stock heat to room temperature and then use it in your recipe.

Nutritional Facts

A serving of one cup of chicken stock includes the following nutritional value:

• Total Calories 86 kcal
• Total Fat 2.9g
• Saturated Fat 0.8g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
• Monounsaturated Fat 1.4g
• Cholesterol 7.2mg
• Sodium 343mg
• Potassium 252mg
• Total Carbohydrates 8.5g
• Dietary Fiber 0g
• Sugars 3.8g
• Protein 6g

Health Benefits

Chicken stock greatly improves digestive health by containing glutamine, which enhances digestion and repairs gut holes. Gelatin has also been shown to improve bone health and protect from joint pain. Another mineral present in chicken stock is collagen, which is shown to improve skin health greatly.

It is also rich in zinc, which removes acne from your skin and boosts the immune system. Moreover, it also contains magnesium, a relaxation mineral and helps improve sleep. Studies have also shown that chicken stock acid reduces inflammation and treats asthma and allergies.

So, What’s The Difference Between Chicken Stock and Vegetable Stock?

1. Chicken stock is made from vegetables and chicken, while vegetable stock is only made up of vegetables.
2. Chicken stock has a comparatively rich taste than vegetable stock.
3. Chicken stock has a better nutritional value than vegetable stock and is richer in minerals.

Sources

• Foods guy
• Nutrionix
• Kettle and Fire