Anyone making several dishes for a barbecue
If you’re planning to use stock in several side dishes or sauces, the number of cubes, their weight and the recommended amount can help you compare pack sizes.
Who is this guide for?
Anyone choosing stock to suit a recipe
Whether you’re making grilled vegetables, a sauce or a marinade, you’ll want a flavour that works with the dish, such as vegetable, garlic and parsley, chicken or pot-au-feu.
Anyone keeping an eye on salt and allergens
Check the nutritional information and ingredients for the specific product, especially if you’re looking for one labelled as reduced-salt or salt-free.
What should you look for?
When choosing stock cubes for a barbecue, start with the dish and how much you need to make, then check the recommended amount and ingredients for each product.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and yield | The net weight, number of cubes and amount needed for each dish. | I’m making several sauces or side dishes and want to know how many dishes the pack can season. Around 50% of consumers are said to make yield their top priority. |
| A flavour to suit the dish | The stock type and aromatic ingredients in the product you’re considering. | For grilled vegetables or a marinade, I prefer to choose a flavour that works with my recipe. Nearly 30% of consumers are said to put this first. |
| Salt and allergens | The salt content in the nutritional information, how much you use and the allergens listed on the packaging. | If the meal already includes salty foods or I need to avoid an ingredient, I check the cube’s composition first. Around 20% of consumers are said to prioritise this check. |
Two mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a ‘vegetable’ or ‘organic’ stock cube suits every dietary requirement
The product name is no substitute for the ingredients list. A Maggi organic stock described by Carrefour contains wheat and celery, among other ingredients; the composition varies by product.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact product packaging, even when buying it again.
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Adding salt before tasting the stock
A stock cube may already add salt to a sauce, marinade or side dish. The amount in the finished dish also depends on how much you use.
Add the stock gradually and taste the dish before adding any salt.
Brands to know when comparing recipes
Maggi
The range includes Kub Or, as well as vegetable, chicken and pot-au-feu stock cubes.
- Carrefour lists Kub Or packs of up to 64 cubes, as well as a vegetable stock described as reduced in salt.
- Ingredients vary: the Maggi organic stock described by Carrefour contains wheat and celery, among other ingredients. Check the packaging of the product you choose.
Knorr
Knorr offers traditional stock cubes, recipes with specific herbs and seasonings, and a range described as salt-free.
- Products such as garlic and parsley stock let you choose according to the flavours you want for your dish.
- Check the ingredients and salt content of each product individually; a label used for one range does not apply to the others.
Carrefour Original
This own-label brand makes it easy to compare a vegetable stock recipe with other cubes on the shelf.
- Carrefour lists a dehydrated, flavoured vegetable stock in a box of 12 cubes, each weighing 10 g.
- Check the ingredients and recommended amount for the specific product before comparing it with another pack size.
Marque Repère, Rustica et Bio Village
E.Leclerc’s ranges include stocks and cooking aids to consider based on the dish you’re planning.
- E.Leclerc lists a Rustica cooking stock in 12 tablets, weighing 120 g in total.
- A tablet may not weigh the same or have the same recommended amount as a cube from another product. Check the preparation instructions.
Auchan
The range includes vegetable, chicken, beef and pot-au-feu flavoured stock cubes.
- Some products come in packs of 12 cubes weighing 10 g each, making their pack size easy to identify.
- The label ‘reduced fat’ doesn’t tell you about the salt or allergens. A beef-flavoured recipe described by Auchan lists soya, among other ingredients.
Stock cubes available on Joybuy
These products offer three options to consider for barbecue side dishes, sauces or marinades: a vegetable stock, a recipe with herbs and Kub Or. Compare the recommended amount and ingredients to find one that suits your dish.
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MAGGI KUB 25% Less Salt Vegetable stock cubes, 120 g
Worth considering for seasoning vegetables or side dishes, depending on the flavour you’re after. This pack weighs 120 g; check the recommended amount on the packaging and the allergen list before use.
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Knorr Herb & Olive Oil, 15 tablets, 150 g
Consider it for a sauce or vegetables if you’re looking for a recipe with herbs. The pack contains 15 tablets and weighs 150 g; check the dilution instructions on the packaging before preparing your dish.
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Maggi Kub Or stock cubes, 128 g
For a sauce or side dish, check that the Kub Or flavour suits your recipe. This pack weighs 128 g; check the recommended amount and ingredients on the packaging before use.
Frequently asked questions
Which stock cube should I choose for grilled vegetables or a marinade?
Choose a flavour to suit the ingredients in your dish: vegetable stock for a vegetable-based recipe, or a herb recipe if that’s the flavour you’re after. For a marinade, follow the product’s preparation instructions and taste it before adding salt.
How do I compare two packs of stock cubes?
Check the net weight, number of cubes or tablets, and the recommended amount for each dish. Two boxes with the same number of portions may not weigh the same or come with the same preparation instructions.
What should I check if salt or allergens are important to me?
Check the salt content in the nutritional information, then read the full ingredients and allergen list for the exact product. The amount of stock cube used in your dish matters too; the recipe name alone doesn’t tell you what it contains.
Will a reduced-salt or salt-free version suit every recipe?
No. It may suit your preference for less or no salt, but you’ll still need to consider the flavour, ingredients and recommended amount for your dish. Knorr offers a range described as salt-free, while Carrefour lists a Maggi product described as reduced in salt. Check the label on the specific product.