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How Many Cups are in a Can of Chicken Broth?

Making a recipe with chicken broth but confused at how much you need? Here’s a guide on how many cups are in cans of chicken broth!

Do you use chicken broth a lot in your cooking? I do too! It’s a versatile ingredient and adds a ton of flavor to everything I make, so it’s a definite pantry staple in my house.

Have you ever wondered how else you can use chicken broth? What you can use instead? How much you need for a recipe? This post goes into detail on all the little questions you may have on this amazing ingredient.

Chicken broth in a bowl with text "How many cups are in a can of chicken broth?"

How many cups are in a can of chicken broth?

A standard can of broth is 14.5 ounces. One cup is around 8 ounces, so there are close to 2 cups of broth in a can.

This gets confusing sometimes, especially when some recipes call for a number of cups as opposed to a number of cans.

Here are some other helpful measurements. And remember, these are fluid ounces:

  • 1 cup: 8 fluid ounces
  • 2 cups (1 pint): 16 fluid ounces
  • 4 cups (1 quart): 32 fluid ounces
  • 5 cups: 40 fluid ounces
  • 6 cups: 48 fluid ounces
  • 7 cups: 56 fluid ounces
  • 8 cups: 64 fluid ounces

How many ounces are in a can of chicken broth?

The typical can you find at the grocery store is 14.5 fluid ounces.

How many cups are in a carton of chicken broth?

A carton is around 32 fl oz, so there are about 4 cups of chicken broth in a carton.

A slow cooker filled with ingredients to make chicken broth

How to make homemade chicken broth

A simple chicken broth is easy to make and can definitely have a superior flavor to store-bought. Add raw chicken, water, different vegetables like carrots and onion, and some spices, to a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for a few hours and strain the liquid out into a container. Here’s a simple recipe for homemade broth.

Making your own broth can be cheap, especially if you can it or freeze it. You’ll save trips to the grocery store!

My opinion: The more spices, the better. Store-bought chicken stock tends to have more sodium. So you can make yours low sodium and load it up with great spices. You won’t need much salt to give the broth a great taste!

Also, using a rotisserie chicken for this is a GREAT way to use up every part of the bird. You’ll pull off all the chicken meat and use the bones for a flavorful liquid broth!

What kind of chicken do I use to make broth?

For starters, make sure the chicken you’re buying is “bone-in”! Bone broth only works if you have bones to cook.

Honestly, I don’t think it makes a huge difference. I’ve bought chicken breasts and used those bones. Thighs work, too. Even a whole chicken, whether it’s raw chicken or a pre-cooked rotiserrie chicken from the store.

Cooking the meat off the bone creates a tender chicken, perfect for casseroles and soups!

A whole raw chicken on a plate, and a bowl of chicken broth in a bowl

What do I do with leftover broth?

If a recipe needs a cup of broth and you have some left over, there are a few ways to use it up!

  • Cook rice using broth as the liquid
  • Add a bit to your pasta when reheating
  • Freeze in ice cube trays and just get out what you need. Freezing chicken broth is a good way to save money! One ice cube is about 2 tablespoons of broth.
  • Use it in any savory recipe that calls for cups of water or any cup of liquid.

How to store cans of chicken broth

You can store an unopened can of broth in the pantry. If left in a dark cool place, it’ll stay fresh for 1-2 years. Be sure to check the “best by” date!

If you’ve opened the can, pour the rest into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How long does chicken broth last in the fridge?

Once opened, chicken broth will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge. If you know you won’t use it up in that time, try freezing the rest in ice cube trays so you can use a little at a time when you need it.

A bowl of chicken noodle soup

Can you use other broths in a recipe instead?

I think it depends on the recipe. Vegetable broth can be a good substitute for chicken broth in most recipes. But I feel like beef broth has a stronger flavor and won’t give the chicken flavor you may want in a meal.

Is chicken broth healthy?

Remember: This is just general nutrition advice, and I’m not a doctor.

According to the USDA, here are some of the nutrition facts, per 1 cup:

Calories: 38

Protein: 5g

Fat: 1g

Carbs: 3g

Chicken broth can also contain iron, and selenium, which helps manage cardiovascular issues.

It also has other vitamins to help keep you healthy. You know how you drink chicken noodle soup when you’re sick? The broth works in a few ways:

  • The liquid keeps you hydrated. It’s hard to drink a lot when you’re sick, and it’s gentle on your digestive tract.
  • The protein helps repair damage to the body.
  • The nutrients help fight disease.

How to reduce the sodium in chicken broth

If you have a health problem and need to limit your sodium, opt for a lower sodium or unsalted chicken broth. Make sure you look at the product information on the can, as a serving of food or broth can have quite a bit of sodium.

You can also make your own broth, where you can control how much salt you put in. And you’re also putting in high-quality ingredients.

The daily value of sodium recommended by the CDC is 2,300 mg. We typically get more than that in our daily diet; so use your best judgment and follow the advice of your health care professional!

How to make a more flavorful broth

Feel free to add more to store-bought broth! Here are some good options to add in:

  • Diced onion
  • Garlic
  • Fresh herbs
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Lemon juice
A plate with crustless chicken pot pie

Favorite recipes with chicken broth

The next time you find yourself with a ton of leftover chicken broth, check out some of my favorite delicious recipes!

A lot of these aren’t soups and just call for different liquids. Broth would be a great substitute!

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