Popular Broth Brands, Ranked Worst To Best
rcheles/Shutterstock By Sophia Hart/Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 1:11 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. If you’ve ever wanted to add flavor to a ramen dish, sauce, or soup, then you’ve likely turned to the blessing in disguise that is broth. Vegetable broths, chicken broths, and all the other broths you can find out there lend a flavor that is frequently used in soups to make for a hot, comforting meal that seems to taste ten times better when you’re under the weather. Chicken broths, bone broths, beef broths — there are loads of different kinds of broths out there, and though you may feel the need to substitute a broth for something else, there’s little that really compares to a hearty broth.
Not only are there loads of different broths out there, but there are many brands that offer broths, as well. Not all of these broths are created equal, though. While some brands sell broths perfect to make for a great-tasting soup, others sell broths that are less so. You’ll likely come across many of these brands in stores and find yourself wondering which broth is the best. Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular broth brands ranked from worst to best, so the next time you need a broth, you’ll know which ones to buy.
Chef’s Cupboard
Aldi
When you shop at an Aldi, you’re likely there to get quality goods for a good price. You know that you aren’t going to get Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods quality foodstuffs, but you at least expect to find products that taste good. Aldi does have a brand of broths that it features in itsstores: Chef’s Cupboard. Chef’s Cupboard comes in several different broth flavors, including chicken and beef (via Aldi). All of these broths proudly brand themselves as fat-free, and you can also find a reduced-sodium version of Aldi’s chicken broth. That means you’ve got a bit of broth variety when it comes to this brand — though that doesn’t mean that it’s the best.
This brand of broth is certainly cheaper than others, which is unfortunately evident in its taste. It’s a pretty thin broth, and its chicken flavor doesn’t really taste like chicken. According to a review on Review Stream, the broth tasted more of salt than any meat. The same can be said about the beef flavor, which is just as salty and watered down. Even if this broth is sold at a cheaper, more reasonable price, if you want to make a good soup out of a broth, Aldi Chef’s Cupboards broth is probably not the way to go.
Kroger
Kroger
One of the most recognizable stores across the entire country is unarguably Kroger. The grocery store is known for its wide range of affordable, quality products. Kroger has been selling foodstuffs to people around the country for a long time now, and its store-brand broths can be found at any of its locations. It has a line of broths including both salted and lower sodium, fat-free broths in chicken, beef, and vegetable flavors. These can be bought in Kroger stores or found on the brand’s website.
All of Kroger’s broths have no artificial flavors or preservatives. The broths are pretty cheap, so affordability is no issue with this brand. The reduced-sodium broths are pretty typical. They aren’t as salty as many of the standard broths you’ll come across in stores, and could get you out of a pinch if you’re running low on time and need a broth to add to your next soup or sauce. The full-salt versions are also fairly average. Since they aren’t the most expensive broth out there, you aren’t losing too much by trying one of these broths out.
Signature Select
Safeway
Safeway is a huge grocery store chain that graces 19 states across the country with multiple locations, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it also sells its own line of products, including broths. Under the Signature Select name, Safeway offers several different broths. The company claims that you’ll be 100% guaranteed quality & satisfaction with its foodstuffs. It has chicken, beef, and vegetable broths in both normal and low-sodium varieties.
The reviews that this product has on the Safeway website back up the brand’s rich and delicious claims, with consumers saying that both of the meat broths are full of flavor — though there aren’t a lot of reviews of these products, so you may want to take it all with a grain of salt. The beef broth is described as mostly flavorful, though there is one review that claims it could use a bit more of a beef flavor. The low-sodium chicken broth has the higher rating of the two with 5/5 stars, though another consumer noted that it could’ve used a few more spices. Overall, if you’re at a Safeway, these brands wouldn’t hurt to buy and go for a reasonable price.
Great Value
Walmart
Walmart stores are all over the place across the country and are known for the huge selection of products they have in stock that span over a wide variety of different foodstuffs, including broths. Walmart carries loads of different broth brands in its stores, many of which feature on this list. There is also a Walmart-exclusive line of broths sold under the Great Value brand. Great Value makes several broths, including the standard chicken, beef, and vegetable flavors, which are all sold at much cheaper prices than what you will find on other online websites, ranging between $1.50 and $2 (via Walmart).
Despite Walmart selling its goods at a much cheaper price than some of the other brands, Great Value is still a pretty solid broth brand. It’s surprisingly rich, and any of the broth flavors could be used to make some pretty solid pot roasts or soups. There are some reviews that note that when you order online, the broths arrive smelling rather foul, while another notes that in the case of the beef broth, the listed ingredients for the 12 oz and 48 oz cartons are different, so you might want to take note of that. Other than that, though, these Walmart broths aren’t all that bad.
Pacific Foods
Pacific Foods
The next brand of broths is Pacific Foods. It sells both conventional and organic broths, such as low sodium chicken and beef, as well as an organic vegetable broth. Pacific Foods specializes in stocks and broths, so it makes a wide variety of products. You can find bone broths, mushroom broths, and even an herb and roasted garlic plant-based broth (via Pacific Foods). You can find this brand of broths in loads of different grocery stores, from Giant to Walmart. You’d think that since it’s a broth and stock-based brand, it would have one of the best broths on this list.
If we’re being honest, Pacific Foods’ broths are quite tasty, as most broths are, but there are a few nitpicks we have with this brand’s broth. The fact that many of its products are lower sodium broths is a plus, but those products are watery, and a bit tasteless. Its regular, organic broths aren’t as flavorless, but they certainly aren’t the most flavorful either. If you need a broth and you’re short on time, you won’t ruin your meal by using this broth. In fact, you could make some pretty great soups with them. However, you’d need to add a good amount of other ingredients to this broth to make it taste incredible.
Kettle and Fire
Kettle and Fire
Chicken, vegetable, and beef are the flavors that you’ll commonly see used in broths, though there are some brands that will offer a wider range of broth flavors. Kettle and Fire is a brand that sells your classic chicken and beef broths, but it also has some unique bone broths as well, such as a ginger turmeric bone broth and a coconut curry bone broth (via Kettle and Fire). According to the broth brand’s website, its broths contain no additives, preservatives, antibiotics, or hormones, so this is certainly a much healthier broth than some of the other entries on this list. The real question, however, is do these broths taste good?
The answer to that question is an overwhelming yes. Despite being a more “natural” brand, the classic Kettle and Fire broths are quite strong and flavorful. They aren’t overly salty and are easy to add to any dish. The coconut curry, ginger turmeric, and other special flavors that this brand sells aren’t as versatile as the classics, but they’re still good — though the coconut curry is a rather acquired taste. Overall, though, Kettle and Fire has a solid lineup of broths that allow you to experiment and enjoy your soup recipes.
Kitchen Accomplice
Kitchen Accomplice
Another broth brand that features a selection of lower sodium broths is Kitchen Accomplice. This brand seems to do two things: taco seasonings and broths, and it has more of the latter. It offers a total of eight different broths, three of which are low sodium products. The other broths are a vegetable and a plant-based “no-bone broth,” as well as chicken and beef bone broths. The lower sodium broths can be differentiated from the standard broths via the red cap the bottles have as opposed to the blue caps of the regular broths.
The brand’s lower sodium chicken and beef broths are honestly quite delicious. You can tell that they’re reduced sodium products, but they’ve got a good bit of flavor to them. Some reviews find the bone broths a little salty, and there are also a couple of scattered comments from customers not satisfied by the flavor, but you’ll find this from most popular broths out there, so it’s not a huge thing to be concerned about. For the most part, this is a wholly delicious broth company, and most customers who try out these broths will be satisfied.
College Inn
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Ramen, soup, and hot, easy-to-put-together meals are a staple among college students, who are often in need of a comforting lunch or dinner to keep themselves going throughout the school year. Though this next brand only has “College” in its name, we can’t help ourselves from feeling a little nostalgic for a homemade bowl of ramen noodles or some chicken noodle soup made in a dorm kitchen. College Inn is a broth brand that sells your standard broths: bone broth, beef broth, and of course, chicken broth. There are also more organic, lower-sodium flavors on the brand’s website.
If you’re looking for a warm, flavor-filled broth to make a base for a late-night bowl of soup, then this broth will definitely fit that description. While the lower sodium broths are less salty and flavorful, they aren’t as watered down as some of the other products on this list and can make for some great dishes. They are also relatively cheap and can be found in various grocery stores. Reviews for College Inn’s broths are very supportive of the brand’s products, with consumers on the Walmart website describing the broths as convenient and neutral, perfect to add spices and seasonings to in order to create your next meal.
Swanson
The Image Party/Shutterstock
The Swanson name is a well known one when it comes to canned products and other cooking products. They have a solid list of different broths, all surrounding the classic chicken, beef, and vegetable broths that are frequently used in kitchens. Most of these broths are chicken flavored, including unsalted chicken, roasted chicken, and organic low sodium chicken (via Swanson). When more than half of a brand’s broth products revolve around a certain flavor, that generally means that it has perfected its craft. Whatever that product is must taste incredible, and when it comes to Swanson’s broths, this is certainly the case.
Most of Swanson’s broths are admittedly on the saltier side, but they aren’t salty to the point of being inedible. You can actually taste the chicken, vegetable, and beef flavors in each broth, and those flavors are outstanding. The classic chicken broth is perhaps its most iconic product, and for a good reason. It’s rich, hearty, and full of comforting chicken flavor that’s wonderful to use to liven up recipes. The beef and vegetable flavors are also amazing, and though the lower sodium and unsalted chicken broths aren’t as flavorful, they’re still wonderful broths to add to your pantry.
Popular Broth Brands, Ranked Worst To Best
rcheles/Shutterstock
By Sophia Hart/Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 1:11 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. If you’ve ever wanted to add flavor to a ramen dish, sauce, or soup, then you’ve likely turned to the blessing in disguise that is broth. Vegetable broths, chicken broths, and all the other broths you can find out there lend a flavor that is frequently used in soups to make for a hot, comforting meal that seems to taste ten times better when you’re under the weather. Chicken broths, bone broths, beef broths — there are loads of different kinds of broths out there, and though you may feel the need to substitute a broth for something else, there’s little that really compares to a hearty broth.
Not only are there loads of different broths out there, but there are many brands that offer broths, as well. Not all of these broths are created equal, though. While some brands sell broths perfect to make for a great-tasting soup, others sell broths that are less so. You’ll likely come across many of these brands in stores and find yourself wondering which broth is the best. Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular broth brands ranked from worst to best, so the next time you need a broth, you’ll know which ones to buy.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Not only are there loads of different broths out there, but there are many brands that offer broths, as well. Not all of these broths are created equal, though. While some brands sell broths perfect to make for a great-tasting soup, others sell broths that are less so. You’ll likely come across many of these brands in stores and find yourself wondering which broth is the best. Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular broth brands ranked from worst to best, so the next time you need a broth, you’ll know which ones to buy.
Chef’s Cupboard
Aldi
When you shop at an Aldi, you’re likely there to get quality goods for a good price. You know that you aren’t going to get Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods quality foodstuffs, but you at least expect to find products that taste good. Aldi does have a brand of broths that it features in itsstores: Chef’s Cupboard. Chef’s Cupboard comes in several different broth flavors, including chicken and beef (via Aldi). All of these broths proudly brand themselves as fat-free, and you can also find a reduced-sodium version of Aldi’s chicken broth. That means you’ve got a bit of broth variety when it comes to this brand — though that doesn’t mean that it’s the best.
This brand of broth is certainly cheaper than others, which is unfortunately evident in its taste. It’s a pretty thin broth, and its chicken flavor doesn’t really taste like chicken. According to a review on Review Stream, the broth tasted more of salt than any meat. The same can be said about the beef flavor, which is just as salty and watered down. Even if this broth is sold at a cheaper, more reasonable price, if you want to make a good soup out of a broth, Aldi Chef’s Cupboards broth is probably not the way to go.
This brand of broth is certainly cheaper than others, which is unfortunately evident in its taste. It’s a pretty thin broth, and its chicken flavor doesn’t really taste like chicken. According to a review on Review Stream, the broth tasted more of salt than any meat. The same can be said about the beef flavor, which is just as salty and watered down. Even if this broth is sold at a cheaper, more reasonable price, if you want to make a good soup out of a broth, Aldi Chef’s Cupboards broth is probably not the way to go.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s
Happy Belly
365 by Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods
The biggest appeal of these broths is that they’re organic, but that’s pretty much all that these broths got going for them. This Whole Foods brand is a little more pricey than what you might find at a standard grocery store, and when it comes to flavor, it’s certainly present, but not as flavorful as other broths out there. The flavor that is in these broths may also be a hit or miss, as the organic and healthy side of each of these flavors seems to come at the expense of savoriness and deliciousness, leaving a somewhat below average broth. We don’t suggest making a trip Whole Foods for any of these broths.
Kitchen Basics
Kitchen Basics
Imagine Organic
Imagine Organic Foods
Kroger
Kroger
One of the most recognizable stores across the entire country is unarguably Kroger. The grocery store is known for its wide range of affordable, quality products. Kroger has been selling foodstuffs to people around the country for a long time now, and its store-brand broths can be found at any of its locations. It has a line of broths including both salted and lower sodium, fat-free broths in chicken, beef, and vegetable flavors. These can be bought in Kroger stores or found on the brand’s website.
All of Kroger’s broths have no artificial flavors or preservatives. The broths are pretty cheap, so affordability is no issue with this brand. The reduced-sodium broths are pretty typical. They aren’t as salty as many of the standard broths you’ll come across in stores, and could get you out of a pinch if you’re running low on time and need a broth to add to your next soup or sauce. The full-salt versions are also fairly average. Since they aren’t the most expensive broth out there, you aren’t losing too much by trying one of these broths out.
All of Kroger’s broths have no artificial flavors or preservatives. The broths are pretty cheap, so affordability is no issue with this brand. The reduced-sodium broths are pretty typical. They aren’t as salty as many of the standard broths you’ll come across in stores, and could get you out of a pinch if you’re running low on time and need a broth to add to your next soup or sauce. The full-salt versions are also fairly average. Since they aren’t the most expensive broth out there, you aren’t losing too much by trying one of these broths out.
Signature Select
Safeway
Safeway is a huge grocery store chain that graces 19 states across the country with multiple locations, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it also sells its own line of products, including broths. Under the Signature Select name, Safeway offers several different broths. The company claims that you’ll be 100% guaranteed quality & satisfaction with its foodstuffs. It has chicken, beef, and vegetable broths in both normal and low-sodium varieties.
The reviews that this product has on the Safeway website back up the brand’s rich and delicious claims, with consumers saying that both of the meat broths are full of flavor — though there aren’t a lot of reviews of these products, so you may want to take it all with a grain of salt. The beef broth is described as mostly flavorful, though there is one review that claims it could use a bit more of a beef flavor. The low-sodium chicken broth has the higher rating of the two with 5/5 stars, though another consumer noted that it could’ve used a few more spices. Overall, if you’re at a Safeway, these brands wouldn’t hurt to buy and go for a reasonable price.
The reviews that this product has on the Safeway website back up the brand’s rich and delicious claims, with consumers saying that both of the meat broths are full of flavor — though there aren’t a lot of reviews of these products, so you may want to take it all with a grain of salt. The beef broth is described as mostly flavorful, though there is one review that claims it could use a bit more of a beef flavor. The low-sodium chicken broth has the higher rating of the two with 5/5 stars, though another consumer noted that it could’ve used a few more spices. Overall, if you’re at a Safeway, these brands wouldn’t hurt to buy and go for a reasonable price.
Great Value
Walmart
Walmart stores are all over the place across the country and are known for the huge selection of products they have in stock that span over a wide variety of different foodstuffs, including broths. Walmart carries loads of different broth brands in its stores, many of which feature on this list. There is also a Walmart-exclusive line of broths sold under the Great Value brand. Great Value makes several broths, including the standard chicken, beef, and vegetable flavors, which are all sold at much cheaper prices than what you will find on other online websites, ranging between $1.50 and $2 (via Walmart).
Despite Walmart selling its goods at a much cheaper price than some of the other brands, Great Value is still a pretty solid broth brand. It’s surprisingly rich, and any of the broth flavors could be used to make some pretty solid pot roasts or soups. There are some reviews that note that when you order online, the broths arrive smelling rather foul, while another notes that in the case of the beef broth, the listed ingredients for the 12 oz and 48 oz cartons are different, so you might want to take note of that. Other than that, though, these Walmart broths aren’t all that bad.
Despite Walmart selling its goods at a much cheaper price than some of the other brands, Great Value is still a pretty solid broth brand. It’s surprisingly rich, and any of the broth flavors could be used to make some pretty solid pot roasts or soups. There are some reviews that note that when you order online, the broths arrive smelling rather foul, while another notes that in the case of the beef broth, the listed ingredients for the 12 oz and 48 oz cartons are different, so you might want to take note of that. Other than that, though, these Walmart broths aren’t all that bad.
Bonafide Provisions
Bonafide Provisions
Pacific Foods
Pacific Foods
The next brand of broths is Pacific Foods. It sells both conventional and organic broths, such as low sodium chicken and beef, as well as an organic vegetable broth. Pacific Foods specializes in stocks and broths, so it makes a wide variety of products. You can find bone broths, mushroom broths, and even an herb and roasted garlic plant-based broth (via Pacific Foods). You can find this brand of broths in loads of different grocery stores, from Giant to Walmart. You’d think that since it’s a broth and stock-based brand, it would have one of the best broths on this list.
If we’re being honest, Pacific Foods’ broths are quite tasty, as most broths are, but there are a few nitpicks we have with this brand’s broth. The fact that many of its products are lower sodium broths is a plus, but those products are watery, and a bit tasteless. Its regular, organic broths aren’t as flavorless, but they certainly aren’t the most flavorful either. If you need a broth and you’re short on time, you won’t ruin your meal by using this broth. In fact, you could make some pretty great soups with them. However, you’d need to add a good amount of other ingredients to this broth to make it taste incredible.
If we’re being honest, Pacific Foods’ broths are quite tasty, as most broths are, but there are a few nitpicks we have with this brand’s broth. The fact that many of its products are lower sodium broths is a plus, but those products are watery, and a bit tasteless. Its regular, organic broths aren’t as flavorless, but they certainly aren’t the most flavorful either. If you need a broth and you’re short on time, you won’t ruin your meal by using this broth. In fact, you could make some pretty great soups with them. However, you’d need to add a good amount of other ingredients to this broth to make it taste incredible.
Kettle and Fire
Kettle and Fire
Chicken, vegetable, and beef are the flavors that you’ll commonly see used in broths, though there are some brands that will offer a wider range of broth flavors. Kettle and Fire is a brand that sells your classic chicken and beef broths, but it also has some unique bone broths as well, such as a ginger turmeric bone broth and a coconut curry bone broth (via Kettle and Fire). According to the broth brand’s website, its broths contain no additives, preservatives, antibiotics, or hormones, so this is certainly a much healthier broth than some of the other entries on this list. The real question, however, is do these broths taste good?
The answer to that question is an overwhelming yes. Despite being a more “natural” brand, the classic Kettle and Fire broths are quite strong and flavorful. They aren’t overly salty and are easy to add to any dish. The coconut curry, ginger turmeric, and other special flavors that this brand sells aren’t as versatile as the classics, but they’re still good — though the coconut curry is a rather acquired taste. Overall, though, Kettle and Fire has a solid lineup of broths that allow you to experiment and enjoy your soup recipes.
The answer to that question is an overwhelming yes. Despite being a more “natural” brand, the classic Kettle and Fire broths are quite strong and flavorful. They aren’t overly salty and are easy to add to any dish. The coconut curry, ginger turmeric, and other special flavors that this brand sells aren’t as versatile as the classics, but they’re still good — though the coconut curry is a rather acquired taste. Overall, though, Kettle and Fire has a solid lineup of broths that allow you to experiment and enjoy your soup recipes.
Kitchen Accomplice
Kitchen Accomplice
Another broth brand that features a selection of lower sodium broths is Kitchen Accomplice. This brand seems to do two things: taco seasonings and broths, and it has more of the latter. It offers a total of eight different broths, three of which are low sodium products. The other broths are a vegetable and a plant-based “no-bone broth,” as well as chicken and beef bone broths. The lower sodium broths can be differentiated from the standard broths via the red cap the bottles have as opposed to the blue caps of the regular broths.
The brand’s lower sodium chicken and beef broths are honestly quite delicious. You can tell that they’re reduced sodium products, but they’ve got a good bit of flavor to them. Some reviews find the bone broths a little salty, and there are also a couple of scattered comments from customers not satisfied by the flavor, but you’ll find this from most popular broths out there, so it’s not a huge thing to be concerned about. For the most part, this is a wholly delicious broth company, and most customers who try out these broths will be satisfied.
The brand’s lower sodium chicken and beef broths are honestly quite delicious. You can tell that they’re reduced sodium products, but they’ve got a good bit of flavor to them. Some reviews find the bone broths a little salty, and there are also a couple of scattered comments from customers not satisfied by the flavor, but you’ll find this from most popular broths out there, so it’s not a huge thing to be concerned about. For the most part, this is a wholly delicious broth company, and most customers who try out these broths will be satisfied.
College Inn
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Ramen, soup, and hot, easy-to-put-together meals are a staple among college students, who are often in need of a comforting lunch or dinner to keep themselves going throughout the school year. Though this next brand only has “College” in its name, we can’t help ourselves from feeling a little nostalgic for a homemade bowl of ramen noodles or some chicken noodle soup made in a dorm kitchen. College Inn is a broth brand that sells your standard broths: bone broth, beef broth, and of course, chicken broth. There are also more organic, lower-sodium flavors on the brand’s website.
If you’re looking for a warm, flavor-filled broth to make a base for a late-night bowl of soup, then this broth will definitely fit that description. While the lower sodium broths are less salty and flavorful, they aren’t as watered down as some of the other products on this list and can make for some great dishes. They are also relatively cheap and can be found in various grocery stores. Reviews for College Inn’s broths are very supportive of the brand’s products, with consumers on the Walmart website describing the broths as convenient and neutral, perfect to add spices and seasonings to in order to create your next meal.
If you’re looking for a warm, flavor-filled broth to make a base for a late-night bowl of soup, then this broth will definitely fit that description. While the lower sodium broths are less salty and flavorful, they aren’t as watered down as some of the other products on this list and can make for some great dishes. They are also relatively cheap and can be found in various grocery stores. Reviews for College Inn’s broths are very supportive of the brand’s products, with consumers on the Walmart website describing the broths as convenient and neutral, perfect to add spices and seasonings to in order to create your next meal.
Swanson
The Image Party/Shutterstock
The Swanson name is a well known one when it comes to canned products and other cooking products. They have a solid list of different broths, all surrounding the classic chicken, beef, and vegetable broths that are frequently used in kitchens. Most of these broths are chicken flavored, including unsalted chicken, roasted chicken, and organic low sodium chicken (via Swanson). When more than half of a brand’s broth products revolve around a certain flavor, that generally means that it has perfected its craft. Whatever that product is must taste incredible, and when it comes to Swanson’s broths, this is certainly the case.
Most of Swanson’s broths are admittedly on the saltier side, but they aren’t salty to the point of being inedible. You can actually taste the chicken, vegetable, and beef flavors in each broth, and those flavors are outstanding. The classic chicken broth is perhaps its most iconic product, and for a good reason. It’s rich, hearty, and full of comforting chicken flavor that’s wonderful to use to liven up recipes. The beef and vegetable flavors are also amazing, and though the lower sodium and unsalted chicken broths aren’t as flavorful, they’re still wonderful broths to add to your pantry.
Most of Swanson’s broths are admittedly on the saltier side, but they aren’t salty to the point of being inedible. You can actually taste the chicken, vegetable, and beef flavors in each broth, and those flavors are outstanding. The classic chicken broth is perhaps its most iconic product, and for a good reason. It’s rich, hearty, and full of comforting chicken flavor that’s wonderful to use to liven up recipes. The beef and vegetable flavors are also amazing, and though the lower sodium and unsalted chicken broths aren’t as flavorful, they’re still wonderful broths to add to your pantry.
