Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a clear, savory liquid made by simmering beef bones and meat, then reconstituting the concentrated, cubed stock with water. It has a deep, umami-rich flavor with a light, watery texture and a golden-brown hue. Nutritionally, it is extremely low in calories, providing a negligible amount of protein and carbohydrates per serving.
Calorie split: 33% protein · 39% carbs · 28% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love it for its deep, savory flavor that forms the comforting backbone of countless soups and stews. Its versatility is unmatched, serving as a quick, warming drink or the essential first layer of flavor in cooking.
The primary concern is often its high sodium content, which can be problematic for those monitoring salt intake. To counteract this, you can use low-sodium versions, dilute it further with water or unsalted stock, and avoid adding extra salt during cooking.
The gelatin that sets a good beef broth when chilled is extracted from collagen in connective tissues and bones, not from meat itself.
| Water | 98.7 g |
| Energy | 3.0 kcal |
| Energy | 11.0 kj |
| Protein | 0.21 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.08 g |
| Ash | 0.77 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.25 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.20 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 4.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 2.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 3.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 6.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 260 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.05 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.01 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.04 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Estimated from Soup, bean with pork, canned, condensed — USDA does not publish this profile for Soup.
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.24 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.29 g |
| Leucine | 0.48 g |
| Lysine | 0.40 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.33 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.18 g |
| Valine | 0.32 g |
| Arginine | 0.31 g |
| Histidine | 0.15 g |
| Alanine | 0.29 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.66 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.28 g |
| Proline | 0.27 g |
| Serine | 0.29 g |
Is beef broth the same as beef stock?
Not exactly. Broth is typically made from meat and has a lighter flavor, while stock is made primarily from bones and has a richer, more gelatinous texture. This 'cubed' product is a concentrated form of broth.
Can I drink beef broth straight?
Yes, it's commonly enjoyed as a warm, savory beverage. It's especially popular as a comforting drink when feeling under the weather or as a low-calorie appetizer.
How should I store leftover prepared broth?
Refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in ice cube trays or portions for up to 6 months.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 43.33 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.