For your first shop, a box of 8 to 12 stock cubes lets you try one flavour without building up a large supply straight away. Packs of 15 to 18 cubes may be a better choice if you already use that stock regularly. Before you decide, also check the recommended amount, salt content, allergens and any ingredients of animal origin for the specific product.
If you make a few simple meals each week, a small box gives you the chance to try a flavour you’ll actually use, without buying several varieties in advance. Carrefour and E.Leclerc, for example, offer packs of 12 cubes or tablets.
If you often use stock in soups, sauces or vegetable dishes, compare the number of cubes, net weight and recommended amount before moving up to a larger pack. Carrefour and Auchan also offer products containing 18 to 32 units.
If you’re keeping an eye on your salt intake or need to avoid certain ingredients, read the label on each product, even if it’s from a familiar brand. Knorr, for example, offers a salt-free vegetable stock; an Auchan beef-flavoured stock listing mentions soya and celery, and possible traces of other allergens.
Start by thinking about how often you’ll use a particular flavour, then check the ingredients in the pack you’ve chosen. A higher cube count is no substitute for checking what’s in it.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| How much to buy | Number of cubes, net weight and storage instructions after opening. | I’m just starting to cook and would rather try a flavour before keeping several boxes in the cupboard; around 40% of consumers would prioritise starting with a limited supply. |
| Salt and allergens | Salt content using the same basis for comparison, recommended amount and allergens listed for the specific product. | I need to be able to check the ingredients before choosing a pack size or flavour; around 30% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Flavour and how you’ll use it | Flavour, ingredients of animal origin and the amount needed per recipe. | I’m looking for a stock cube that suits the dishes I’m actually planning to make, without buying lots of different varieties; around 30% of consumers would prioritise flavour and intended use. |
The number of cubes and the packaging material are two separate things. The term “bulk tin” alone doesn’t tell you what you’ll receive.
Check the packaging, number of units, net weight and best-before date on the product listing or packaging.
These terms refer to different properties. Auchan’s listing for reduced-fat beef-flavoured stock relates to its fat content, while Knorr offers a salt-free vegetable stock; the first claim tells you nothing about the salt content.
Read the nutrition information and ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen. To compare the salt content of two products, make sure the figures use the same basis, such as per 100 g or per serving.
Beef-flavoured stock, chicken stock and stock described as plant-based may not all suit the same dietary requirements. Auchan’s listing for a beef-flavoured cube, for example, mentions soya and celery.
Check for ingredients of animal origin and any highlighted allergens whenever you switch products, even within the same brand.
The ranges below give you an idea of the pack sizes and recipes available. Always check the exact product: a feature listed for one stock cube won’t necessarily apply to the whole brand.
The range includes Kub Or, vegetable and chicken stock cubes. Carrefour and Auchan list products containing 18 or 32 cubes or tablets.
The range includes traditional stock cubes and a salt-free vegetable stock.
Carrefour offers vegetable, chicken and beef stock, including boxes of 12 cubes.
E.Leclerc’s range includes stock tablets, including a Rustica product with 12 tablets weighing 120 g.
Auchan offers boxes of 12 cubes, as well as a reduced-fat beef-flavoured stock.
These products include small packs for trying a flavour, a pack of 15 tablets for more regular use and recipes where it’s worth paying particular attention to the ingredients. Compare the number of units where this information is given, then check the label of the product you’re interested in.
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A pack of 15 tablets may suit you if you already use the same stock regularly. Check the recommended amount before cooking; the salt content and wheat listed for this product also make it worth checking the label.
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The 12 tablets make this a small pack for trying the flavour. The product title says “fat free”, but the ingredients list includes chicken fat, so check the label before buying. The listing also mentions wheat and celery, as well as possible traces of egg and milk.
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This variety may appeal if you want to check the salt content before choosing your stock. “Less Salt” doesn’t mean salt-free, so check the nutritional information and number of cubes on the pack. The ingredients listed for this product include celery, with possible traces of egg, milk and gluten.
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To decide whether this 128 g pack is right for your cupboard, check the number of cubes and the recommended amount. The listing mentions wheat containing gluten and possible traces of egg, milk, celery and mustard. Check the label if any of these ingredients are a concern for you.
Compare the net weight, number of cubes and recommended amount for each pack. Two boxes with the same weight may contain different numbers of tablets or use different recipes, so check the flavour and ingredients before choosing too.
No. This claim doesn’t mean you can skip checking the other ingredients and allergens. Knorr states that its salt-free vegetable stock contains 0.02 g of salt per serving; check the serving size and label of the product you buy.
Check the label for the specific product rather than relying on the flavour alone. Auchan’s listing for a reduced-fat beef-flavoured stock mentions soya and celery, as well as possible traces of gluten, milk, egg, fish and crustaceans. The DGCCRF states that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
Follow the instructions for the box you’ve bought. For its reduced-fat beef-flavoured stock, Auchan recommends transferring the tablets to an airtight container after opening and keeping them away from heat and moisture. Also check the best-before date on the packaging.
Compare figures given on the same basis: salt per serving can’t be compared directly with salt per 100 g. The DGCCRF explains that nutritional information is given per 100 g or 100 ml to make comparisons easier. Also take the recommended amount for making the stock into account.