Anyone preparing cold dishes in advance
For a pasta, rice or vegetable salad, check the number of cubes, their weight and the suggested uses for the recipe. Carrefour lists a Maggi vegetable stock as suitable for cold dishes, for example.
Who might find these stock cubes useful?
Anyone keeping an eye on their salt intake
If you want to control the seasoning in a dish you’re sharing, compare the salt per portion and the recommended amount to use. ‘Reduced salt’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘no salt’.
Anyone cooking for guests with ingredient requirements
If you’re planning a plant-based menu or need to avoid allergens, check the exact product: the word ‘vegetable’ doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients or any possible traces.
What should you check before buying?
Start by checking that the ingredients are suitable for your guests and that the stock cube is right for your recipe. Then compare the pack sizes and salt information of the products that meet those requirements.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Net weight, number of cubes and recommended amount for your dish. | If I’m preparing several dishes to share, I want to know how many recipes the pack I choose will season; around 29% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Cold or plant-based recipe | Type of stock, any animal-derived ingredients and suggested uses for the exact product. | For a cold salad or gazpacho, I first look for seasoning that suits my recipe; around 29% of consumers would put this first. |
| Salt content | Salt per portion, recommended amount and the basis for comparison behind any ‘reduced salt’ claim. | If I want to decide on the final seasoning myself, the difference between a reduced-salt recipe and one with no salt comes first; around 21% of consumers would give it priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging you buy. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to be able to check exactly what the cube contains; around 21% of consumers would make this their top criterion. |
To put the salt claims into context, Carrefour says its reduced-salt Maggi vegetable stock contains 25 % less salt than the average stock on the market, excluding reduced-salt products. Knorr lists 0,02 g of salt per portion for its no-salt vegetable stock and 1,7 g per portion for its standard vegetable stock. Always check the portion size and number of cubes used before comparing these figures.
Common mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a pack without checking its size
Two packs can have different weights and numbers of cubes. The size of the packaging doesn’t tell you how many dishes you’ll be able to season.
Compare the net weight, number of cubes and recommended amount for the recipes you plan to make.
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Assuming ‘vegetable’ means it’s suitable for everyone
The vegetable stock products listed by Carrefour and Auchan have different ingredients and allergen information. A plant-based label doesn’t mean you can skip checking the details.
Before cooking for a group, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging of the product you’ve bought.
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Confusing ‘reduced salt’ with ‘no salt’
A reduction is relative to a comparison product; it doesn’t mean the stock cube contains no salt.
Check the exact wording, then compare the salt content per portion and the amount you plan to use.
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Treating a stock cube like a frozen product
The stock cubes mentioned here are dehydrated cooking ingredients. Auchan says its vegetable stock is sensitive to heat and humidity; a stock cube won’t keep a meal chilled.
Use it while preparing your dish, and make separate arrangements to keep any perishable food you’re taking on your picnic at the right temperature.
Brands and retailers to consider
Maggi
The range includes standard, reduced-salt and organic vegetable stock cubes. Carrefour says its standard vegetable stock is suitable for cold dishes.
- The standard vegetable stock pack listed by Carrefour contains 18 cubes, weighing 180 g in total.
- Ingredients and ‘may contain’ information vary by product, so check the packaging of the one you choose.
Knorr
Knorr offers standard and no-salt vegetable stocks, among other options. Compare the portion sizes when checking the figures.
- Knorr lists 0,02 g of salt per portion for its no-salt vegetable stock.
- Its standard vegetable stock contains 1,7 g of salt per portion; the no-salt version’s details don’t apply to the whole range.
Carrefour Original
A dehydrated vegetable stock to consider if you’re comparing stock cube pack sizes.
- Carrefour’s product listing shows a pack of 12 cubes, weighing 10 g each.
- It lists celery and possible traces of other allergens, so check the details on the pack you buy.
Auchan
Auchan lists a dehydrated vegetable-flavour stock in a pack of 12 cubes, weighing 10 g each.
- The stated pack size makes it easy to compare the number of cubes and total weight.
- The product listing notes that it is sensitive to heat and humidity, and lists ingredients to check before serving the dish to a group.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
Marque Repère is E.Leclerc’s range of everyday products.
- For a specific stock cube, check the ingredients and pack size on its own product listing or packaging.
Lidl
Lidl France separates grocery products from frozen food in its food range. Stock cubes are a cooking ingredient, not something you need to transport frozen.
- If you’re looking at a product in store, check its ingredients, pack size and storage advice on the packaging.
Stock cubes and tablets available on Joybuy
These two products are for seasoning dishes prepared before a picnic: reduced-salt vegetable stock cubes and herb and olive oil stock tablets. If you’re serving a dish cold, check that the recipe you choose is suitable for the use stated on the packaging.
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MAGGI KUB 25 % Less Salt, vegetable stock cubes, 120 g
Worth considering if you’re preparing a dish in advance and looking for a vegetable stock with a reduced-salt claim.
The product name states a 120 g pack and a claimed 25 % reduction: ‘reduced salt’ doesn’t mean ‘no salt’. If you’re sharing the dish, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging.
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Knorr Herb & Olive Oil, 15 tablets, 150 g
Worth considering for seasoning food as you cook it before putting together your picnic meal.
The stated pack size is 15 tablets, weighing 150 g in total. Check the ingredients, recommended amount and suggested uses on the packaging for your recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a stock cube for a summer picnic?
Yes, you can use a stock cube to prepare a dish before you set off. Carrefour lists a Maggi vegetable stock as suitable for cold dishes, including gazpacho. However, a stock cube isn’t a frozen product and won’t replace proper storage for perishable food.
How do you compare two stock cube pack sizes?
Check the net weight, number of cubes and recommended amount for your recipe. A pack of 12 cubes weighing 10 g each and a pack of 18 cubes weighing 180 g in total aren’t the same size. Also check that the ingredients are suitable for the dish you’re planning.
Does ‘reduced salt’ mean ‘no salt’?
No. A salt reduction is measured against a comparison product. Carrefour says its reduced-salt Maggi vegetable stock contains 25 % less salt than the average stock on the market, excluding reduced-salt products. Knorr lists 0,02 g of salt per portion for its no-salt vegetable stock. Compare the stated portion size with the amount you plan to use.