Bouillon Cubes Without MSG: What to Look For on the Label

The good news: the ingredient list answers most of it, and it takes a minute to read. NSR One carries Herb-Ox chicken and beef bouillon cubes, so we use them as the worked example. The short answer for Herb-Ox: MSG (monosodium glutamate) is not in the ingredient list of either flavor, but both contain hydrolyzed protein, which naturally carries some free glutamate, so if you avoid every source of glutamate, these are not the cubes for you. This guide walks through what to check on any label, answers the most common questions, and compares the two flavors side by side.

Why Shoppers Look for Bouillon Cubes Without MSG

Bouillon is exactly the kind of product where MSG tends to show up, because cubes are built to deliver a lot of savory flavor in a small package. Shoppers look for cubes without it for all sorts of reasons — personal preference, cooking for a guest who asks, or simply wanting to know exactly what is in the pot. Whatever the reason, the answer is the same: read the label, and know what the claims on the front actually mean.

What to Check on the Label

• MSG by name in the ingredient list. Look for the words monosodium glutamate.
• Other sources of free glutamate. Hydrolyzed protein, autolyzed yeast and yeast extract naturally contain free glutamate but are listed under their own names, not as MSG. If you avoid every source of glutamate, look for these too. A good product page shows you the complete list before you buy.
• Front-of-pack MSG claims, read with care. The FDA's view is that a food containing hydrolyzed protein or autolyzed yeast should not be labeled as free of MSG or as having none added, because those ingredients supply free glutamate. The ingredient list is the better guide.
• A gluten-free label, if that matters at your table. Gluten-free status varies by brand, so look for the claim rather than assuming.
• Sodium per cube. Bouillon is a salt-based seasoning, so check the number and plan the rest of your seasoning around it.
• Count and yield. How many cubes are in the container, and how much broth does each one make? That is what tells you the real value of a pack.

Common Questions About Bouillon Cubes Without MSG

Does Herb-Ox bouillon have MSG?

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is not in the ingredient list of either Herb-Ox flavor we sell, chicken or beef. The cubes do contain hydrolyzed corn protein (chicken) or hydrolyzed soy protein and autolyzed yeast (beef), and both contain disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate. Hydrolyzed proteins and yeast extracts naturally contain some free glutamate, so if you avoid every source of glutamate, these are not the cubes for you. The complete ingredient list for both flavors is below and on each product page, so you can review every component before ordering.

Is there chicken bouillon without MSG?

Herb-Ox chicken cubes do not list MSG (monosodium glutamate) as an ingredient. They do list hydrolyzed corn protein, which naturally contains some free glutamate, plus disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, so they are not the pick if you avoid every source of glutamate. Each 4g cube makes one cup of broth with 5 calories, 0g fat, and 1020mg of sodium (44% DV), the everyday base for chicken noodle soup, rice, gravies and sauces.

Is there beef bouillon without MSG?

Herb-Ox beef cubes do not list MSG as an ingredient either. They do list hydrolyzed soy protein and autolyzed yeast, both natural sources of free glutamate, plus disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate. They also contain soy. Each 3.5g cube makes one cup of broth with 5 calories, 0g fat, and 960mg of sodium (42% DV), a quick way to deepen stews, gravies, and pan sauces.

Are bouillon cubes gluten free?

Not automatically. It depends on the brand and flavor, which is exactly why the label matters. Both Herb-Ox jars at NSR One, chicken and beef, carry a Gluten Free flag on the front of the jar.

What are the Herb-Ox chicken bouillon ingredients?

Straight from the jar: Salt, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Sugar, Silicon Dioxide (Anticaking Agent), Contains 2% or Less of Chicken Fat, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate, Dehydrated Cooked Chicken (Contains Natural Flavor), Safflower Oil, Dehydrated Parsley, Turmeric, Onion Powder, Spice, Dehydrated Garlic.

What are the Herb-Ox beef bouillon ingredients?

Straight from the jar: Salt, Sugar, Flavor (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Salt), Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Contains 2% or Less of Silicon Dioxide (Anticaking Agent), Beef Fat, Spice, Onion Powder, Dehydrated Cooked Beef, Caramel Color, Dried Beef Stock, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate, Autolyzed Yeast, Flavoring. The beef cubes contain soy.

Are stock cubes without MSG the same thing?

Yes. "Stock cubes" is simply the more common name in the UK and elsewhere; in the US the same product is usually called a bouillon cube. If you searched for stock cubes without MSG, everything on this page applies.

Herb-Ox Chicken vs. Beef, Compared

The short version: chicken is the everyday all-rounder, and beef is for richer, darker dishes. Plenty of kitchens keep one of each, and two jars also reach the $15 free-shipping minimum.

How to Use Bouillon Cubes in Cooking

• Make a quick broth: dissolve one cube in one cup of hot water. That is the base for soups, ramen upgrades, and sipping broth.
• Cook grains in it: drop a cube into the water for rice, quinoa, or couscous instead of cooking them plain.
• Deepen stews and gravies: a beef cube adds body to pot roast liquid and pan gravy without opening a full carton of stock.
• Season a pan sauce: crumble a chicken cube into the skillet after searing, add a splash of water, and stir until it dissolves.
• Mind the salt: each cube carries 960 to 1020mg of sodium, so taste your dish before adding any extra salt.

Stock Up on Herb-Ox Bouillon at NSR One

We stock two Herb-Ox flavors as single 25-cube jars. Orders of $15 or more ship free to all 50 states, and two jars get you there:

• Herb-Ox Chicken Bouillon Cubes, gluten-free, one 25-cube jar: the everyday base for soups, rice and gravies.
• Herb-Ox Beef Bouillon Cubes, gluten-free, one 25-cube jar: for stews, gravies and pot roast.

Either way, the full ingredient list and nutrition panel are on each product page, so you can check them before you order. For cups, teaspoons and sodium math, see our bouillon cube conversions guide.