Homemade Upgrade: Swanson Chicken Broth #DUP

Journey Foods Nutrition Score Breakdown

• Swanson Chicken Broth (Canned): 58/100
• Homemade Slow-Simmered Chicken Broth: 92/100

What’s in the Carton?

Swanson Chicken Broth is a pantry staple — shelf-stable, ready-to-use, and a go-to for soups, sauces, and grains. But even trusted labels like Swanson come with trade-offs:

• Chicken flavor is often boosted with yeast extract (a source of glutamates) and “natural flavor”
• Contains added sugar — listed as “chicken broth (includes sugar)”
• Sodium-heavy — over 800 mg per cup (that’s about 35% of the daily value)
• Minimal actual chicken content — made with a diluted base or concentrate

This drops Swanson’s Journey Score to 58/100 — functional, yes, but far from the gold standard in terms of nutrition and ingredient transparency.

The Homemade Swap: Slow-Simmered Chicken Broth

Homemade chicken broth may take time, but most of it is inactive. You get not just richer flavor, but more nutrients and culinary versatility in every spoonful.

Why it scores higher:

• Whole ingredients: Chicken bones, aromatic vegetables, herbs
• No added sugar or preservatives
• Gelatin + minerals from bones: Supports joint and gut health
• Customizable: Control salt, flavor, fat content, and thickness

Journey Foods Nutrition Score: 92/100
Broth made from scratch earns top marks for nutrient density, clean ingredients, and functional food benefits.

Homemade Recipe: Basic Chicken Broth

Ingredients (yields ~2 quarts):

• 1 rotisserie chicken carcass or 2 lbs raw chicken wings/backs
• 1 onion, halved
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 tsp salt (adjust later)
• 1 bay leaf, optional
• 8 cups water

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot or slow cooker.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer.
3. Simmer uncovered for 4–6 hours (or overnight on low in a slow cooker).
4. Strain and store in the fridge (up to 5 days) or freezer (up to 3 months).

Time Breakdown:

• Active Time: 10 minutes
• Inactive Time: 4–6 hours (simmering)

Cost Comparison (per cup)

Option

Cost per Cup

Swanson Chicken Broth

~$0.60

Homemade Chicken Broth

~$0.50–$0.70 (depends on ingredients used)

Homemade costs about the same — but gives richer flavor, more collagen, and less sodium.

Final Take

Swanson is a solid convenience pick, but it's often watered down and padded with flavor additives. Homemade broth, while slower to make, is deeply nourishing and far more flavorful — and it turns kitchen scraps into liquid gold.