People preparing several dishes
If your menu includes soup, risotto or a stir-fry, check how much stock each recipe needs before choosing a pack size. The number of cubes varies from one product to another.
Who is this guide for?
People who keep an eye on seasoning
If other ingredients on the menu are already salty, compare the nutritional information for standard, reduced-salt and salt-free stocks. These descriptions do not mean the recipes are equivalent.
People catering for guests with dietary restrictions
Ask which dietary requirements you need to take into account, then check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact product. Depending on the product, Carrefour and Auchan listings mention wheat, celery or soya, as well as possible traces of other allergens.
What should you look for?
When shopping for dinner with friends, start with the dishes you plan to make and any ingredients to avoid, then compare the dosage and pack size. The weight of the pack alone won’t tell you how many dishes it will cover.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and dosage | Work out how many cubes you need based on the planned volume and the instructions, then compare the total with the contents of the pack. | If several dishes use stock, I want to be able to make them all without relying on the pack’s weight alone; around 27% of consumers would put this easy-to-calculate quantity first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the product you’re buying. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to know what’s in the cube before cooking for everyone; around 33% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Salt | Compare the ‘salt’ line in the nutritional information, taking the stated serving into account. Don’t confuse ‘reduced salt’ with ‘salt-free’. | If the menu already includes salty foods, I’d prefer to be able to adjust the seasoning in the stock; around 20% of consumers would make this control over salt their top criterion. |
| Use in recipes | Check the flavour and directions for the dishes you’re making, particularly whether the cube needs to be dissolved or crumbled. | If I’m serving soup and a stir-fry at the same meal, I’m looking for a stock that works in both dishes; around 20% of consumers would put this versatility first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing the biggest pack without working out the dosage
The number of cubes doesn’t correspond directly to the number of meals you can make: the amount you use depends on the volume and the dish.
Before comparing pack sizes, estimate what each dish needs using the instructions for the product you’ve chosen.
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Assuming a ‘vegetable’ cube is suitable for every guest
The flavour on the pack doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients and allergens. Auchan’s listing for a Maggi vegetable stock cube mentions celery and possible traces of eggs, gluten and milk.
Ask about any dietary restrictions and check the label on the pack you plan to use.
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Confusing ‘reduced salt’ with ‘salt-free’
These descriptions don’t mean the same thing: a reduction is measured against a comparison product, while a product described as salt-free has its own composition.
Compare the nutritional information for clearly stated serving sizes, then taste the dish and adjust the seasoning.
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Ignoring storage instructions after opening
Storage instructions may include precautions to protect the product from heat and moisture. For its vegetable stock cubes, Auchan recommends transferring any remaining tablets to an airtight container, if possible.
Follow the instructions and use-by date shown on the pack you’ve bought.
Brands and retailers to know
Maggi
The retailers listed by Carrefour and Auchan stock Maggi vegetable stock cubes and other stocks in packs of various sizes.
- Carrefour lists a 32-cube Maggi Bio pack, among others; Auchan also stocks 18- and 32-cube packs.
- Ingredients vary by product, so check the ingredients, allergens and any salt-related claims on each one.
Knorr
Knorr offers standard vegetable stocks and a salt-free vegetable stock, alongside other cooking aids.
- These products give you different options for seasoning the dishes on your dinner menu.
- The ‘salt-free’ description applies to one specific product, not all Knorr products; check the ingredients and nutritional information for each one.
Carrefour
The retailer lists a 32-cube Maggi Bio pack, among others, with an ingredients listing.
- The listing can help you compare the cube count and ingredients before you shop.
- Check the information for the product and store you’ve selected before placing your order.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère stock range includes Rustica products with 12 tablets and Bio Village products with 8 tablets.
- These pack sizes make it easy to plan for several packs if your recipes require them.
- If you’re making several dishes for dinner, work out the total number of tablets you need before choosing this size.
Auchan
Auchan offers a vegetable-flavour stock in a 12-cube pack, as well as products from other brands.
- Auchan’s listing for its vegetable stock cubes includes dosage, ingredient and after-opening storage information.
- The recipe mentions celery and soya, as well as possible traces of other allergens, so check the label if a guest has a dietary requirement.
Joybuy products to consider
These products are for making stock for several recipes: three come as tablets or cubes, while Totole stock is granulated. Check that the format suits your recipes before choosing.
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Maggi chicken stock cubes, 12 tablets
For dishes that suit a chicken flavour, this pack contains 12 tablets; work out how many you’ll need for the whole menu. Check the ‘Fat-Free’ claim on the packaging: the ingredients listed for this product include chicken fat.
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Knorr stock with herbs and olive oil, 15 tablets, 150 g
Worth considering if the herb and olive oil flavour profile suits the dishes you have planned. The pack contains 15 tablets and weighs 150 g; check the instructions for each dish and the allergen information before cooking for your guests.
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Maggi Kub vegetable stock, 25% less salt, 120 g
If you’re looking for vegetable stock, this 120 g product carries a reduced-salt claim, which doesn’t mean ‘salt-free’. Before working out how much you’ll need for dinner, check the comparison product behind this claim, the nutritional information, the number of cubes and the dosage on the pack.
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Totole chicken-flavour granulated stock, 1 kg
This 1 kg pack could be an option for several dishes if granulated stock suits your recipes; it isn’t made up of cubes. Check the dosage instructions before estimating the number of servings; the listed ingredients include soya.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many cubes I need for dinner?
Add together the quantities needed for each recipe, following the dosage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. As an example for this specific product, Auchan’s listing for Maggi reduced-salt vegetable stock says to use one 10 g cube for half a litre of water; follow the instructions on your own pack if you choose a different stock.
Is a ‘vegetable’ cube automatically suitable for every guest?
No. The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in the product or whether it’s suitable for someone with a dietary restriction. Auchan’s listing for a Maggi vegetable stock cube mentions celery and possible traces of eggs, gluten and milk; check the label of the product you’re using and ask your guests about any dietary requirements.
Does ‘reduced salt’ mean the same as ‘salt-free’?
No. ‘Reduced salt’ is a comparison, while ‘salt-free’ describes a different product characteristic. When choosing stock for your menu, check what product the reduction is compared with, if applicable, and compare the ‘salt’ line in the nutritional information for clearly stated serving sizes.
How should I store stock cubes after opening?
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought. For its vegetable-flavour stock, Auchan recommends transferring any remaining tablets to an airtight container, if possible, and keeping them away from heat and moisture.