What’s the Difference Between Broth and Stock?

Technically speaking, ‘bouillon’ is a French word that translates into English to mean broth OR stock. The Spanish word "Caldo" also means both broth and stock. Even Answers.com defines broth as stock.

That’s right folks, broth and stock are the same thing.

Everywhere you look you'll find different explanations claiming to be the difference between stock and broth. But there is no consensus in the culinary world. For this site I will use the terms broth and stock to mean the same thing.

There are two major variables you should be aware of that change your end product and are sometimes used to falsely define a stock or broth.

• Use or exclusion of bones
• Use or exclusion of seasoning

You can choose to use meat only or meat and bones. Simply put the difference is that broth made with bones is thicker when cooled because it contains gelatin extracted from the bones during the long slow cooking process. Some culinary experts and food critics might claim they can tell the difference but I doubt anyone at the family dinner table will and using the bones gives greater health benefits. (link)

Now, consider that bones are generally cheaper than meat alone or can be used after the meat had been cooked for another meal. Healthy and frugal, can it get much better?

Seasoning the other big variable falsely used to tell the difference between broth and stock.

Quite simply your broth isn’t going to taste good without seasoning. Salt and pepper are must haves. The three vegetables you should always include are carrot, onion and celery. They add great flavor and even more nutrients.

Herbs and spices also add tons of flavor and allow room to experiment with flavor.

If your making broth for your freezer I recommend lightly seasoning it in terms of salt and herbs. Remember that this is just an ingredient, a building block of flavor in your final dish, and you can always add seasoning later but you can’t take it out. So, above all else, watch the salt!

Return from Difference Between Stock and Broth to Homemade Soups

Learn how to make healthy homemade broth.

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