Powdered Bullion Mixes

So what do you do when a recipe calls for chicken stock/broth and you do no have any on the shelf or frozen in the freezer. Well if you are like me, you have powered bullion of one type or another in your pantry. Yes, I admit it, I have three different types currently in my pantry and they are all Knorr brand: chicken, beef, and tomato & chipotle flavor. I use the Knorr brand simply because that is what is most readily available at the supermarket in which we shop.

There is no doubt that using a good homemade stock in your recipes instead of a commercially prepared one you will definitely give your food a depth of flavor and mouth feel that is unmatched. However, in the real world sometimes life just gets in the way and the need to use a powered or granulated bullion product is a necessity.

I often use these powdered bullion products when making recipes such as my homemade Rice-A-Roni and Hamburger Helper mixes. In addition I use them when needed to supplement the flavor of soups and stews, and on occasion even to fortify weaker chicken of beef stock. Yes, I know there may be several reasons why you might object to using such powered and paste mixes in your kitchen, but just to let you in on a little secret, most restaurants use these stock mixes in one form or another. That’s right, rarely do restaurants make their own stock from beef or lamb bones in the traditional way as I was taught, quite frankly, it is to time consuming and expensive. Now, I am not saying there are not some restaurants that make their own stock, but they are few are far in between.

For the homemaker, granulated bullion is 1) cost effective, 2) shelf stable, and 3) convenient to use. If you do not have the time to make stock from scratch (I will show you how I do this in another post on the blog), just add 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered bullion to water to taste or add a small amount to your soups and stews for a flavor boost. On of the major things you must consider when using such products is that they tend to be very high in sodium, so may will need to adjust the amount of salt in your recipe when using them.

So if you are going to use these mixes when cooking for your family, and you have concerns regarding their safety, a through understanding of exactly what goes into each of these products will help you make the decision on whether you wish to use them or not. I for one use them on a regular basis as do most cooks; however I opt for fresh homemade whenever possible.

Knorr Chicken Bullion

Ingredients: Salt, Sugar, Corn Starch, Monosodium Glutamate, Beef Fat, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Dried Chicken Meat, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Chicken Fat, Water, Parsley, Disodium Inosinate, Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Whey (From Milk), Sodium Caseinate (From Milk), Natural Flavors, Colors (Yellow 5, Annatto, Yellow 6).

Wylers Chicken Bullion

Ingredients: Salt, Sugar, Corn Maltodextrin, Water, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten Protein, Monosodium Glutamate, Chicken Fat, Onion Powder, Cooked Chicken Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Turmeric, Natural Chicken Flavor, Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate, Gelatin, Garlic Powder, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavors, Celery Seed, Modified Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Gluten Protein, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And Cottonseed Oils, Soybean Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Tbhq (Preservative), Artificial Flavor, Alpha Tocopherol (Antioxidant), BHA (Preservative), Propyl Gallate, Citric Acid, Butter Oil. Contains Soybeans, Milk. Processed On Equipment That Also Processes Wheat, Soybeans, Milk, Egg.

Knorr Beef Bullion

Salt, Monosodium Glutamate, Beef Fat, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Sugar, Dried Beef, Water, Corn Starch (Sulfur Dioxide Used To Protect Quality), Water, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Maltodextrin, Caramel Color, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Garlic Powder, Natural Flavors (Milk), Dried Parsley, Onion Powder, Turmeric, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Citric Acid, Spices.

Wylers Beef Bullion

Salt, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Bicarbonate, Monosodium Glutamate, Sugar, Beef Fat, Water, Cooked Beef, Onion Powder, Dextrose, Corn Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy And Wheat Gluten Protein, Calcium Silicate, Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate, Dextrose, Hydrolyzed Torula And Brewers Yeast Protein, Caramel Color, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten, Soybean Oil, Natural Flavor, Silicon Dioxide, Artificial Flavor, Soy Lecithin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Propyl Gallate, FD&C Red 40, Alpha Tocopherol (Antioxidant), BHA (Preservative), Corn Oil, BHT (Preservative), Citric Acid.

Definition of Ingredients:

The following is a listing of the more uncommonly known ingredients that you will find if one, both or either Knorr and Wyler’s bullion products. I have tried to supply you with the most accurate information regarding their definition as possible. As this is simply for informational purposes, I have decided to omit any informational claims as to each ingredients safety or lack thereof.

Alpha Tocopherol – An antioxidant, alpha tocopherol is the strongest of several forms of tocopherol elements that scientists and nutritionists call “vitamin E”. They are found naturally in a variety of foods including olives, spinach, turnip greens, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, and some nuts and seeds.

Autolyzed Yeast Extract – Autolyzed yeast extract results from the breakdown (lysis) of yeast cells which releases amino acids, salts and carbohydrates. It naturally contains free glutamic acid, or monosodium glutamate, and is often used as a less expensive substitute for MSG.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) – Is a potent synthetic antioxidant that is used in many foods as a perservative. It can be found is: cereals, gum, fast food, processed potatoes, drink mixes, shortening, snack foods, and many others.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) – Is a potent synthetic antioxidant that is used in many foods as a preservative like it counterpart BHA. It can be found is: cereals, gum, fast food, processed potatoes, drink mixes, shortening, snack foods, and many others. It’s even been certified Kosher by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, and also certified Halal by the Islamic Food Nutrition Council of America.

Disodium Inosinate - A naturally occurring precursor to DNA and RNA, it is almost always derived from animal origin; it is used as food enhancer and or intensifier in conjunction with monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Disodium Guanylate (GMP) - Is the salt of a nucleotide, which actually occurs naturally in the body. In food, it is used as an additive which enhances or intensifies savory flavors and is frequently used in combination with monosodium glutamate (MSG) to make MSG more effective. GMP is commonly found in the following foods: cured meats, salty snacks, instant noodle flavor packets, and other foods prepared in many restaurants.

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein - Also known as hydrolyzed corn or hydrolyzed corn gluten, is a corn gluten that has undergone hydrolysis. Hydrolysis breaks down the corn proteins into their component amino acids. Hydrolyzed corn protein is essentially glutamic acid, which is a type of MSG.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) – Also known as MSG, monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally-occurring non-essential amino acids found in tomatoes, potatoes, mushrooms, and other fruits and vegetables. It is used as a flavor enhancer that intensifies the meaty, savory flavor of food, as naturally occurring glutamate does in foods such as stews and meat soups.

Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil – Soybean oil that has been heated and had hydrogen bubbles through it until it is a semi-solid (partially hydrogenated oil) that has a consistency like butter, only it's a lot cheaper. It can then be dried and used in it’s powdered from as a flavor or ‘mouth feel’ enhancer. In addition to its powdered form, and because it is cheap it is a big favorite as a butter-substitute providing a richer flavor and texture, but doesn't cost near as much as it would to add butter.

Propyl Gallate – Is an artificial antioxidant that is generally used in conjunction with BHA as food preservative. It can be found in many foods including: meat products, microwaveable popcorn, soup mixes, chewing gum, mayonnaise, and frozen meals.

Sodium Caseinate (From Milk) – A protein found in milk, sodium caseinate is used as a food additive. As a food source, casein supplies essential amino acids, carbohydrates, sodium, calcium and phosphorus, although some people may be allergic to it.

Tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) – Also known as or tertiary butylhydroquinone, it is an aromatic organic compound in the phenol family. Because of its antioxidant properties, it is used as preservative in foods especially for unsaturated vegetable oils as well as many other edible animal fats, and spice mixes. TBHQ does not change the color, flavor or odor of the food to which it is added, and is often used in combination with other food preservatives.

Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) – Is a calcium rich salt of phosphoric acid also known as bone ash. It is frequently used as a food additive in powdered spices, where it acts as an anti-caking agent.

Whey (From Milk) - Consists primarily of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin. Depending on the method of manufacture, whey may also contain glycomacropeptides (GMP). The powdered form is derived from drying the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. It is a by-product of the manufacture of cheese or casein and has several commercial uses.

Conclusion

Many of the ingredients found in these products may be controversial, and there are large numbers of websites either extolling the virtues of such products or claiming they cause terminal illness. As with most things in life, there is probably a fine line in which both parties’claims have some validity, but again, that is not our primary focus here at ‘Culinary You’. Instead, we have supplied you with all the necessary ingredients of each of these so that products so that you can do your own research and make an informed decision regarding whether you want to use them in your recipes. As for me, the 'Three Amigos' are a staple in my pantry and are at the ready whenever I need them.