Kitchen Bouquet, also known as Browning and Seasoning Sauce, is a staple in many kitchens around the country.
Bakers and chefs use kitchen bouquets to add that extra something to recipes when you don’t have the time or ingredients to get them just right.
So, it was pretty shocking when I couldn’t find it on my last trip to the grocery store!
Why, then, can’t I find Kitchen Bouquet? It turns out that there are several reasons behind this strange phenomenon.
Kitchen bouquet is a season known worldwide for cooking, and you find it in grocery stores, but recently, it has become a little challenging to get. That’s because there’s only one company producing the kitchen bouquet. The primary component of the browning and seasoning sauce known as kitchen bouquet is caramel, and it also contains several flavorings derived from vegetables.
Why Can’t I Find Kitchen Bouquets In Stores?
You might not find kitchen bouquets in stores, and that is because there is only one company that produces this browning seasoning sauce.
The company might not be making enough to go round to all the stores, and their recipe is unique. Although, some stores still have it in stock when you want to buy it.
You’ll be happy to know that you can still buy Kitchen Bouquet! However, it seems as though kitchen bouquets’ producers have slowly but surely transformed them into gluten-free food.
Many stores carry vegan browning powders and bouillon cubes, which are great substitutes for traditional Kitchen Bouquet.
Where Is Kitchen Bouquet In the Grocery Store?
When in the grocery store searching for kitchen bouquet browning, you can buy kitchen bouquets in the condiments section at the grocery store.
The storekeeper will store it in the same area as already prepared gravy powder or packages of flavored gravy mixes.
Look for browning sauce on a shelf; it may be in your supermarket aisle between other condiments like cocktail sauce and soy sauce.
Is Kitchen Bouquet Still Being Made?
Yes, The Clorox Company (HV Food Products Company) currently produces kitchen bouquet browning.
There are different grocery stores such as Walmart, Target, and the likes where you can buy kitchen bouquets which further proves that it’s still in the market.
Kitchen Bouquet Substitute
There are various kitchen bouquet substitutes you can use in place of the kitchen bouquet browning itself.
While cooking, you run to the nearest grocery store to get your kitchen bouquet browning, and you can find it.
What do you do? In this case, you must know that there are various substitutes for it.
Below is a list of the available substitutes for kitchen bouquets;
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Dark Molasses
- Gravy Master
- Brown Sugar Pan
- Coffee Granules
- Maggi Liquid Seasoning
- Bragg Liquid Aminos
- Parisian Essence
#1. Worcestershire Sauce
The Worcestershire sauce can also substitute for a kitchen bouquet, except it won’t thicken your food as the kitchen bouquet would.
It adds flavor and color to the food and isn’t too salty. It works great as a browning seasoning sauce in place of the kitchen bouquet.
#2. Dark Molasses
Using dark molasses instead of the kitchen bouquet works as a substitute for the kitchen bouquet.
Dark molasses help the food brown, thicken, and add flavor, and caramel tones, just like kitchen bouquet browning does.
Mix it with broth when using dark molasses instead of the kitchen bouquet. It makes the dark molasses taste like a kitchen bouquet.
Dark molasses doesn’t have any salt, so if you use it instead of Kitchen Bouquet, you might need to add more seasoning to your dish.
Remember that the molasses will add a little sweetness, so you may need to tweak your recipe to get it just right to make the perfect substitute for the kitchen bouquet.
#3. Gravy Master
It can also serve as a substitute kitchen bouquet, and you can easily find it in grocery stores. It is similar to the kitchen bouquet browning in that it contains a mixture of vegetables.
When substituting gravy master instead of kitchen bouquet, ensure you reduce the amount used as it has more flavor than the kitchen bouquet.
#4. Brown Sugar Pan
Brown sugar pan is another popular name for a commercial seasoning mix containing salt, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley flakes, and celery seed.
This spice blend often comes in small containers and can be found at any local grocery store; look next to where they keep other spices like cajun seasoning or blackening rubs.
#5. Coffee Granules
Here is another kitchen bouquet substitute that adds flavor and color to your dish. Although, it might taste a bit odd in vegetables stir fry compared to the kitchen bouquet itself.
So, ensure that you use it properly as a kitchen bouquet substitute. It is a little saltier than a kitchen bouquet so ensure you note the amount used in your meal.
#6. Maggi Liquid Seasoning
This kitchen bouquet substitute has a close favor and taste to the kitchen bouquet. The Maggi liquid seasoning blend sweet, spicy flavor and gives your food a brown caramelized look.
#7. Bragg Liquid Aminos
The Bragg liquid aminos is a kitchen bouquet substitute but healthier than the kitchen bouquet browning.
It contains no chemicals or additives and is rich in flavor, so when cooking with it, ensure you do not use as much quantity as you would for the kitchen bouquet.
It is more expensive than the kitchen bouquet because of its ingredients.
#8. Parisian Essence
Using the Parisian essence as a kitchen bouquet substitute adds a brownish hue to your food and thickens it.
Conclusion
Kitchen bouquets have existed for centuries; although we use them to add flavor to our meals, they are not as easily accessible as in the past.
Hence, the need for kitchen bouquet substitutes will help give your meal the taste you want it to have!
