For a range of soups, risottos and vegetable dishes, start with a vegetable flavour. For a more specific taste, also consider chicken or beef stew stock. Then choose the pack size to suit how often you use stock cubes, and compare the salt content, dosage and allergens for the exact product. Two cubes with the same flavour name aren’t necessarily interchangeable.
If you also make risottos, vegetable dishes or meals with a sauce, a vegetable flavour can work across several recipes. Carrefour France says that one Knorr vegetable stock cube should be dissolved in 500 ml of simmering water; always check the dosage on the pack you choose.
If you use stock cubes regularly, distinguish between ‘reduced salt’ and ‘no salt’, then compare the nutritional information and recommended quantities. These claims refer to different formulations.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, read the list on the exact pack, including any warnings about traces. The vegetable stock products listed by Carrefour France and Auchan France don’t all have the same ingredients.
When choosing a pack of stock cubes for winter meals, start with the dishes you make, then check the ingredients and how many cubes you’re likely to use.
| What to compare | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and uses | The flavour and suggested dishes on the pack, as well as the dosage for your recipe. | I want to use the same pack for soups, risottos and vegetables, without choosing a flavour that’s too strong for any of them. Around 25 % of consumers put versatility first. |
| Salt | The salt content in the nutritional information, the exact ‘reduced salt’ or ‘no salt’ claim, and the quantity used. | When I often season dishes with a stock cube, I want to compare how much salt it adds to the dish. Keeping salt in check is the top priority for around 31 % of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list, declared allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. | If an ingredient or allergen matters to me, the word ‘vegetable’ on its own isn’t enough to make a decision. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Pack size | The number of cubes, their weight and storage instructions after opening. | I only make these dishes from time to time, so I’d rather choose an amount I can use while it’s still in good condition. Pack size is the main consideration for around 19 % of consumers. |
A vegetable flavour doesn’t guarantee a product is declared vegetarian, or that it’s free from allergens or additives. Product listings for different varieties mention celery and soya, as well as possible traces of other allergens.
Read the ingredients and trace warnings on the pack you intend to buy, even if the name or packaging looks familiar.
A reduced-salt claim compares a recipe with a specific benchmark; it doesn’t mean the cube contains no salt. The salt reduction stated for Maggi Vegetable Stock is based on a comparison with the average of stock cubes that aren’t reduced-salt varieties, according to the product information.
Check the exact claim, the nutritional information and how much stock cube your dish needs.
Carrefour France recommends one cube per 500 ml of water for the Knorr vegetable stock listed. Auchan France gives the same guidance for some uses of its vegetable stock. The correct quantity still depends on the product and recipe you choose.
Measure the liquid and follow the instructions on your pack before adjusting the seasoning.
The number of cubes varies between products: the Carrefour Bio and Carrefour Original packs listed by Carrefour France contain 8 and 12 cubes of 10 g respectively. A larger pack is only useful if the quantity suits how often you cook.
Compare the number of cubes with the amount needed per recipe, and follow the storage instructions after opening.
Cubes exposed to heat or moisture may lose quality. For the product listed, Auchan France recommends transferring them to an airtight container after opening.
The range includes several flavours and products with different formulations, including a vegetable stock cube advertised as containing 25 % less salt.
The range includes traditional stock cubes and a selection that Knorr France describes as ‘no salt’.
The Carrefour Original and Carrefour Bio vegetable stock products let you compare two pack sizes.
The range includes a vegetable-flavoured product in a pack of 12 cubes of 10 g.
The selection listed by E.Leclerc includes stock cubes and sauce bases, including Rustica and Bio Village products.
These two products suit different uses in soups, vegetable dishes and slow-cooked meals: one is a vegetable recipe advertised as reduced in salt, while the other is flavoured with herbs and olive oil. If you’re looking specifically for a single pack, check the pack format offered before you order.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you make soups or vegetable dishes and want to compare a recipe advertised as reduced in salt with your usual stock cube.
The product carries a ‘25 % less salt’ claim. According to the information for Maggi Vegetable Stock, this is compared with the average of stock cubes that aren’t reduced-salt varieties. It still contains salt. Check the allergens, dilution instructions for your recipe and pack format offered.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a herby flavour to go with vegetables, soups or slow-cooked dishes.
The pack contains 15 cubes and weighs 150 g. The recipe contains salt, so check the ingredients, any allergen trace warnings, the dosage for your dish and the pack format before buying.
No. Vegetable stock can go with a range of dishes, but it won’t suit every recipe in the same way. Carrefour France and Auchan France suggest uses ranging from soups to vegetables and dishes with a sauce. If you’re after a chicken or beef stew flavour, compare the dedicated varieties and their ingredients too.
Follow the dosage for the product you choose and the amount of liquid in your soup. Carrefour France recommends one cube per 500 ml of simmering water for the Knorr vegetable stock listed, but instructions may vary by product and recipe.
No: a reduced-salt stock cube may still contain salt. The Maggi Vegetable Stock advertised as having ‘-25 % salt’ is compared with the average of stock cubes that aren’t reduced-salt varieties. Knorr France, meanwhile, lists a separate ‘no salt’ range. Check the claim and nutritional information on the pack you choose.
No: these claims don’t replace the allergen information. The Carrefour Bio vegetable stock listed by Carrefour France contains celeriac and may contain traces of other allergens. Check the warnings on the exact pack before using it.