Thread: REVIEW: Trader Joe's Savory Broth Chicken Flavor

I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. It is a concentrated
chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
containing 12 little packets. It's alleged that one packet
is enough to make one cup of broth.

I go through lots of cans of chicken stock. At about
$1 per can, it seems excessively expensive to me.
At $3.99 per box, the Trader Joe's product is 1/3 that
cost, though the cans contain more than a cup. The
way I used the packet, though, was equal to the way
I would use a can because in either case I use one
unit to make one pot of soup. I make less than a
quart at a time, and eat it all immediately. I usually
do this about three times a week, even in the summer,
so I'm eating a lot of soup.

I'm still undecided about the flavor. It seems to be
good, but I'm not sure I like it better than Swanson's
Natural Goodness. It sure has a lot less salt. That
was immediately noticable. I don't use much salt,
and I am aware the Swanson's product has a lot of salt
in it. I don't dare eat two cans of that stuff in a
single day, otherwise my feet swell up.

I think I will switch to the Trader Joe's product,
mostly because it is cheaper and lower salt. And
I won't have to be lugging sacks of cans around all
the time.

On Oct 15, 12:07 pm, Mark Thorson <nos...@sonic.net> wrote:
> I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
> and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. It is a concentrated
> chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
> containing 12 little packets. It's alleged that one packet
> is enough to make one cup of broth.
>
> I go through lots of cans of chicken stock. At about
> $1 per can, it seems excessively expensive to me.
> At $3.99 per box, the Trader Joe's product is 1/3 that
> cost, though the cans contain more than a cup. The
> way I used the packet, though, was equal to the way
> I would use a can because in either case I use one
> unit to make one pot of soup. I make less than a
> quart at a time, and eat it all immediately. I usually
> do this about three times a week, even in the summer,
> so I'm eating a lot of soup.
>
> I'm still undecided about the flavor. It seems to be
> good, but I'm not sure I like it better than Swanson's
> Natural Goodness. It sure has a lot less salt. That
> was immediately noticable. I don't use much salt,
> and I am aware the Swanson's product has a lot of salt
> in it. I don't dare eat two cans of that stuff in a
> single day, otherwise my feet swell up.
>
> I think I will switch to the Trader Joe's product,
> mostly because it is cheaper and lower salt. And
> I won't have to be lugging sacks of cans around all
> the time.

They used to carry "Better than Bouillon" chicken and beef bases, but
stopped. I now get them at Smart & Final and use them for small
things--when I want less than a cup or so. You can vary the quantity
and strength easily. This new product sounds like a substitute for
that. I guess taste and saltiness would determine which to
use..... -aem

merryb wrote:
>
> I've tried the beef one, but last time I was there I didn't see it. It
> was pretty good for what I needed it for...

I didn't see it. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed
if it was there.

"Mark Thorson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
> and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. It is a concentrated
> chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
> containing 12 little packets. It's alleged that one packet
> is enough to make one cup of broth.
>
> I go through lots of cans of chicken stock. At about
> $1 per can, it seems excessively expensive to me.
> At $3.99 per box, the Trader Joe's product is 1/3 that
> cost, though the cans contain more than a cup. The
> way I used the packet, though, was equal to the way
> I would use a can because in either case I use one
> unit to make one pot of soup. I make less than a
> quart at a time, and eat it all immediately. I usually
> do this about three times a week, even in the summer,
> so I'm eating a lot of soup.
>
> I'm still undecided about the flavor. It seems to be
> good, but I'm not sure I like it better than Swanson's
> Natural Goodness. It sure has a lot less salt. That
> was immediately noticable. I don't use much salt,
> and I am aware the Swanson's product has a lot of salt
> in it. I don't dare eat two cans of that stuff in a
> single day, otherwise my feet swell up.
>
> I think I will switch to the Trader Joe's product,
> mostly because it is cheaper and lower salt. And
> I won't have to be lugging sacks of cans around all
> the time.

Hi Mark,
I pay a lot less at BJ's for cans. I get a case of 12 cans of College Inn
standard chicken stock for ~$5. I use this for making rice or risotto or
other uses where the flavor of the stock isn't critical and use Swanson
Natural Goodness or Kitchen Basics for more critical use.

At 40 cents a can I'm not as likely to quibble about wasting some if need
be.

Jon

Zeppo wrote:
> "Mark Thorson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
>> and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. It is a concentrated
>> chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
>> containing 12 little packets. It's alleged that one packet
>> is enough to make one cup of broth.
>>
>> I go through lots of cans of chicken stock. At about
>> $1 per can, it seems excessively expensive to me.
>> At $3.99 per box, the Trader Joe's product is 1/3 that
>> cost, though the cans contain more than a cup. The
>> way I used the packet, though, was equal to the way
>> I would use a can because in either case I use one
>> unit to make one pot of soup. I make less than a
>> quart at a time, and eat it all immediately. I usually
>> do this about three times a week, even in the summer,
>> so I'm eating a lot of soup.
>>
>> I'm still undecided about the flavor. It seems to be
>> good, but I'm not sure I like it better than Swanson's
>> Natural Goodness. It sure has a lot less salt. That
>> was immediately noticable. I don't use much salt,
>> and I am aware the Swanson's product has a lot of salt
>> in it. I don't dare eat two cans of that stuff in a
>> single day, otherwise my feet swell up.
>>
>> I think I will switch to the Trader Joe's product,
>> mostly because it is cheaper and lower salt. And
>> I won't have to be lugging sacks of cans around all
>> the time.
>
> Hi Mark,
> I pay a lot less at BJ's for cans. I get a case of 12 cans of College
> Inn standard chicken stock for ~$5. I use this for making rice or
> risotto or other uses where the flavor of the stock isn't critical and
> use Swanson Natural Goodness or Kitchen Basics for more critical use.
>
> At 40 cents a can I'm not as likely to quibble about wasting some if
> need be.
>
> Jon

I like Penzey's chicken base. You can make as much as you need with
no need to save half a can or whatever. It's around 8 bucks but it
makes a lot. Easily more than a case worth. Even with shipping.

Tracy

Zeppo wrote:
>
> I pay a lot less at BJ's for cans. I get a case of 12 cans of College Inn
> standard chicken stock for ~$5. I use this for making rice or risotto or
> other uses where the flavor of the stock isn't critical and use Swanson
> Natural Goodness or Kitchen Basics for more critical use.

What's BJ's? It doesn't sound like a store around here.

On Oct 15, 12:07*pm, Mark Thorson <nos...@sonic.net> wrote:
> I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
> and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. *It is a concentrated
> chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
> containing 12 little packets. *It's alleged that one packet
> is enough to make one cup of broth.
>

Trader Joes also carries liter Tetrabriks of chicken stock. If I just
need a cup I freeze the rest.

aem <[email protected]> wrote:

>They used to carry "Better than Bouillon" chicken and beef bases, but
>stopped.

My understanding is that TJ's is slowly replacing everything possible
with house branded items.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

http://derekl1963.livejournal.com/

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

On Oct 15, 2:25*pm, aem <aem_ag...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> They used to carry "Better than Bouillon" chicken and beef bases, but
> stopped. *I now get them at Smart & Final and use them for small
> things--when I want less than a cup or so. *You can vary the quantity
> and strength easily. *This new product sounds like a substitute for
> that. *I guess taste and saltiness would determine which to
> use..... * * -aem
============================

I've been using Better than Bouillon for at least 5 years. I'm always
disappointed when I buy a different brand. It's not powdery, lumpy,
dry and hard to dissolve in liquid.

B-t-B is kind of sticky - a lot like a 'poor cook's' demi-glace.
Melts into other liquids like a dream. Most of the other canned and
shelf stable boxed stuff tastes like dishwater to me.

I've used the B-t-B Chicken Base, the Beef Base, the Turkey Base, the
Vegetable Base and the Lobster Base. They now make a Clam base and
I'll probably try that instead of the Lobster Base - not too
practical! The Lobster Base is not particularly versatile - not
enough like fish stock.

The only B-t-B flavor I didn't like was the Ham Base -- it was way
too strong. I still have some in the fridge with the other flavors,
but when I made split pea& ham soup I didn't use it. Maybe I'll
experiment with my next batch of Great Northern bean & ham but only
use a tiny bit - like less than a half a teaspoon per quart.

I guess it's kind of my "kick it up a notch stuff" - not spicy but it
sure adds umami. It does not say "no MSG" on the labels but there's
none listed in the ingredient roster and all of them start with
"chicken" "beef" "turkey with natural juices" . . .

They're about $5 for an 8 oz jar (refrigerate after opening) and each
jar makes at least 38 servings (@ 1 tsp per cup of water - about 600mg
sodium). I do not own stock in the company!
Lynn in Fargo

"Mark Thorson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
>I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
> and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. It is a concentrated
> chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
> containing 12 little packets. It's alleged that one packet
> is enough to make one cup of broth.
>
>
> I think I will switch to the Trader Joe's product,
> mostly because it is cheaper and lower salt. And
> I won't have to be lugging sacks of cans around all
> the time.

I use "Better than Bouillon" chicken flavor.Have any compared Trader Joe's
product to "Better than........."?

Ed

In article
<[email protected]>,
Lynn from Fargo <[email protected]> wrote:

> They're about $5 for an 8 oz jar (refrigerate after opening) and each
> jar makes at least 38 servings (@ 1 tsp per cup of water - about 600mg
> sodium). I do not own stock in the company!
> Lynn in Fargo

I may have to take another look at it, then. I try to have my own
stock in the freezer, but it is handy to have those boxes of broth. If
this works like that, it would be less expensive. I thought I'd tried
it some years before, maybe 10 years ago, and found it too salty.

Regards,
Ranee @ Arabian Knits

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

"aem" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> They used to carry "Better than Bouillon" chicken and beef bases, but
> stopped. I now get them at Smart & Final and use them for small
> things--when I want less than a cup or so. You can vary the quantity
> and strength easily. This new product sounds like a substitute for
> that. I guess taste and saltiness would determine which to
> use.....

That's all I use. I just buy the chicken flavor and the beef flavor Better
than Bouillon and it lasts for a long time.

Lynn from Fargo wrote:
\
>
> I guess it's kind of my "kick it up a notch stuff" - not spicy but it
> sure adds umami.


Then it probably has MSG.


> It does not say "no MSG" on the labels but there's
> none listed in the ingredient roster

Be careful, MSG has many, many aliases. See:

http://www.msgmyth.com/hidename.htm

gloria p

On Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:07:58 -0700, Mark Thorson <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
>and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. It is a concentrated
>chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
>containing 12 little packets. It's alleged that one packet
>is enough to make one cup of broth.
>
snippage

I really, really like it and use it frequently.

koko
--

There is no love more sincere than the love of food
George Bernard Shaw
www.kokoscorner.typepad.com
updated 10/11

On Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:06:18 -0700 (PDT), Lynn from Fargo wrote:

> On Oct 15, 2:25*pm, aem <aem_ag...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> They used to carry "Better than Bouillon" chicken and beef bases, but
>> stopped. *I now get them at Smart & Final and use them for small
>> things--when I want less than a cup or so. *You can vary the quantity
>> and strength easily. *This new product sounds like a substitute for
>> that. *I guess taste and saltiness would determine which to
>> use..... * * -aem
> ============================
>
> I've been using Better than Bouillon for at least 5 years. I'm always
> disappointed when I buy a different brand. It's not powdery, lumpy,
> dry and hard to dissolve in liquid.
>
> B-t-B is kind of sticky - a lot like a 'poor cook's' demi-glace.
> Melts into other liquids like a dream. Most of the other canned and
> shelf stable boxed stuff tastes like dishwater to me.
>
> I've used the B-t-B Chicken Base, the Beef Base, the Turkey Base, the
> Vegetable Base and the Lobster Base. They now make a Clam base and
> I'll probably try that instead of the Lobster Base - not too
> practical! The Lobster Base is not particularly versatile - not
> enough like fish stock.
>
> The only B-t-B flavor I didn't like was the Ham Base -- it was way
> too strong. I still have some in the fridge with the other flavors,
> but when I made split pea& ham soup I didn't use it. Maybe I'll
> experiment with my next batch of Great Northern bean & ham but only
> use a tiny bit - like less than a half a teaspoon per quart.
>
> I guess it's kind of my "kick it up a notch stuff" - not spicy but it
> sure adds umami. It does not say "no MSG" on the labels but there's
> none listed in the ingredient roster and all of them start with
> "chicken" "beef" "turkey with natural juices" . . .
>
> They're about $5 for an 8 oz jar (refrigerate after opening) and each
> jar makes at least 38 servings (@ 1 tsp per cup of water - about 600mg
> sodium). I do not own stock in the company!
> Lynn in Fargo

i have started using the beef base and it seems like a good product. as
you say, the first ingredient isn't 'salt.'

your pal,
blake

"Mark Thorson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> Zeppo wrote:
>>
>> I pay a lot less at BJ's for cans. I get a case of 12 cans of College Inn
>> standard chicken stock for ~$5. I use this for making rice or risotto or
>> other uses where the flavor of the stock isn't critical and use Swanson
>> Natural Goodness or Kitchen Basics for more critical use.
>
> What's BJ's? It doesn't sound like a store around here.

A Costco style warehouse store. They carry some of the same products and
some different ones, too. We get memberships to both through my SO's company
as a perk. We have a BJ's 2 miles from home and a Costco 1 mile from work,
so hitting either is no big deal for me. Think the quality is better overall
at Costco.

Jon

"Tracy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:hb80j4$f6r$[email protected]..
>
>
> Zeppo wrote:
>> "Mark Thorson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> I was at Trader Joe's this morning looking for chicken stock,
>>> and I saw a product I hadn't seen before. It is a concentrated
>>> chicken stock paste that comes in a little cardboard box
>>> containing 12 little packets. It's alleged that one packet
>>> is enough to make one cup of broth.
>>>
>>> I go through lots of cans of chicken stock. At about
>>> $1 per can, it seems excessively expensive to me.
>>> At $3.99 per box, the Trader Joe's product is 1/3 that
>>> cost, though the cans contain more than a cup. The
>>> way I used the packet, though, was equal to the way
>>> I would use a can because in either case I use one
>>> unit to make one pot of soup. I make less than a
>>> quart at a time, and eat it all immediately. I usually
>>> do this about three times a week, even in the summer,
>>> so I'm eating a lot of soup.
>>>
>>> I'm still undecided about the flavor. It seems to be
>>> good, but I'm not sure I like it better than Swanson's
>>> Natural Goodness. It sure has a lot less salt. That
>>> was immediately noticable. I don't use much salt,
>>> and I am aware the Swanson's product has a lot of salt
>>> in it. I don't dare eat two cans of that stuff in a
>>> single day, otherwise my feet swell up.
>>>
>>> I think I will switch to the Trader Joe's product,
>>> mostly because it is cheaper and lower salt. And
>>> I won't have to be lugging sacks of cans around all
>>> the time.
>>
>> Hi Mark,
>> I pay a lot less at BJ's for cans. I get a case of 12 cans of College Inn
>> standard chicken stock for ~$5. I use this for making rice or risotto or
>> other uses where the flavor of the stock isn't critical and use Swanson
>> Natural Goodness or Kitchen Basics for more critical use.
>>
>> At 40 cents a can I'm not as likely to quibble about wasting some if need
>> be.
>>
>> Jon
>
> I like Penzey's chicken base. You can make as much as you need with no
> need to save half a can or whatever. It's around 8 bucks but it makes a
> lot. Easily more than a case worth. Even with shipping.
>
> Tracy

Yeah, I need to pick up some of that. I started a Penzy's list a few weeks
ago I just haven't had time to get down there (Chestnut Hill section of
Philly).

I've been having trouble finding decent smoked paprika, so I want to sample
theirs and see if it will do. I recently had to dump a bottle of McCormick's
premium as it didn't have any smoky flavor at all. I also need some file for
gumbo.

Jon



Jon

On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:30:49 -0400, "Zeppo" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
Zeppo wrote:
>
> I pay a lot less at BJ's for cans. I get a case of 12 cans of College Inn
> standard chicken stock for ~$5. I use this for making rice or risotto or
> other uses where the flavor of the stock isn't critical and use Swanson
> Natural Goodness or Kitchen Basics for more critical use.
>

The best store bought stock I've found is Goya bouillion (at least as
good and likely better than what folks here make with their saved up
garbage). Goya is available in foil envelopes... much better flavor
than other bouillion or canned, and even those concentrate pastes. I
find canned stock a waste of storage space, and once opened you really
need to use it all right then, with Goya I use how much I want, roll
down the foil pouch, and put the rest back in the cupboard. As far as
I'm concerned the only way to have good stock is to make it from
scratch and from good wholesome ingredients, not from saved up
garbage... it's not possible to make chicken stock that tastes of
chicken by using skins, fat, scoured bones, spinal cords, and other
meatless scraps. When I make a dish worth making that requires *real*
stock I'm going to make my own from scratch, and if I'm going to make
the effort then I'm going to use the best ingredients possible...
chicken is cheap, when I make chicken stock I use whole chickens, and
in fact I cut out the backs and put them in the trash, I don't want
spinal cord/fluid in my stock. Soup greens are cheap too, I don't use
bits of veggies that weren't worth eating the first go round and are
really only fit for the compost bin... I mean like a couple carrots,
two celery ribs, an onion, and a few parsley sprigs isn't gonna put
anyone in the poor house... and herbs and spices are the same, only
wasted when added to garbage swill du jour.... your sack o' ****
poultry spines ain't worth wasting a dozen peppercorns, a bay leaf,
not even a spoon of salt.

On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:35:37 -0400, Zeppo wrote:

> "Tracy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:hb80j4$f6r$[email protected]..
>>
>> I like Penzey's chicken base. You can make as much as you need with no
>> need to save half a can or whatever. It's around 8 bucks but it makes a
>> lot. Easily more than a case worth. Even with shipping.
>>
>> Tracy
>
> Yeah, I need to pick up some of that. I started a Penzy's list a few weeks
> ago I just haven't had time to get down there (Chestnut Hill section of
> Philly).
>
> I've been having trouble finding decent smoked paprika, so I want to sample
> theirs and see if it will do. I recently had to dump a bottle of McCormick's
> premium as it didn't have any smoky flavor at all. I also need some file for
> gumbo.
>
> Jon

i like penzeys smoked spanish paprika. their chipotle power is good, too.

your pal,
blake