Finding the Healthiest Options: Which Broth Has the Least Amount of Sodium?

October 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Heart Association, the average American consumes more than 3,400 mg of sodium per day, far exceeding the recommended 2,300 mg daily limit. For those monitoring their intake, understanding which broth has the least amount of sodium is a critical step toward creating healthier, flavorful meals.

Quick Summary

This guide compares the sodium levels of different types of broths, both store-bought and homemade. Learn how to decipher food labels and find genuinely low-sodium options to maintain a heart-healthy diet while maximizing flavor. A comparison of top brands and DIY methods is included to help you make informed decisions.

Key Points

Homemade broth offers the lowest sodium: Making your own broth gives you complete control over ingredients and ensures minimal sodium content, utilizing vegetable scraps and bones.
Look for 'Unsalted' first: The best store-bought option for lowest sodium is typically an 'unsalted' or 'no salt added' variety, as these contain little to no added sodium.
'Low Sodium' means under 140 mg per serving: This is a great choice for those seeking lower sodium, but 'unsalted' is still healthier; always check the label for the exact amount.
Avoid 'Reduced Sodium' without checking: A 'reduced' or 'lower' sodium label can be misleading, only guaranteeing 25% less than the regular version, which might still be high.
Flavor with herbs and spices: You can easily boost the taste of low-sodium broths by adding fresh herbs, sautéed aromatics, and other spices, rather than relying on salt.
Compare brands for lowest counts: Brands like Swanson and Pacific Foods offer unsalted options with very low sodium counts, but always compare specific products.

Decoding the Broth Aisle: Understanding Sodium Labels

Walking down the soup and broth aisle can be confusing, with a variety of labels like “low sodium,” “reduced sodium,” and “unsalted” all vying for your attention. To make the healthiest choice, it’s essential to understand what these terms mean in the context of commercial broths.

Label Terminology Explained

Unsalted or No Salt Added: This label indicates that no salt was added during the processing of the broth. However, it's crucial to still check the nutritional information, as some sodium occurs naturally in the ingredients, particularly with products using stock bases or other flavor additives. In general, these are your best bet for the lowest sodium content.
Low Sodium: According to the FDA, a product can only be labeled “low sodium” if it contains 140 mg or less of sodium per serving. This is a solid, health-conscious choice, though it still contains more sodium than unsalted varieties.
Reduced or Lower Sodium: This simply means the product has at least 25% less sodium than the brand's regular version. This can still result in a surprisingly high sodium count, so always check the full nutrition facts and don't assume it's a truly low-sodium option.

Homemade Broth: The Ultimate Low-Sodium Solution

For the absolute lowest sodium content and the most control over ingredients, making broth at home is the best method. It allows you to use fresh, whole ingredients and season your dish precisely to your liking without worrying about a salty base. You can use vegetable scraps, chicken carcasses, or beef bones to create a flavorful, nutritious stock with little to no added salt.

Making Your Own Broth

Gather Ingredients: Collect vegetable scraps like onion skins, carrot peels, celery ends, and herb stems. For a meat-based broth, save bones from a roasted chicken or beef bones from your butcher.
Combine and Simmer: Add your scraps and bones to a large pot with filtered water. Toss in aromatics like garlic cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Slowly simmer the mixture for several hours to extract maximum flavor.
Strain and Store: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Let it cool before storing in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer.

Store-Bought Broths: Top Contenders for Low Sodium

While homemade broth is ideal, it's not always practical. Thankfully, many brands offer excellent low-sodium options. Here is a comparison of popular brands and their sodium levels based on information gathered from various sources:

Broth Sodium Comparison (per 1-cup/8oz serving)


Brand	Product	Type	Sodium (mg)	Notes
Herb Ox	Sodium Free Bouillon	Chicken/Beef	0	Powder packets with zero sodium, but use salt substitutes.
Swanson	Unsalted Chicken Broth	Chicken	45	One of the lowest sodium chicken broths available.
College Inn	Unsalted Chicken Stock	Chicken	50	A very low sodium option from a reliable brand.
Pacific Foods	Unsalted Vegetable Stock	Vegetable	65	An excellent base for vegetarian cooking.
Pacific Foods	Low Sodium Organic Chicken Broth	Chicken	70	A widely available, tasty organic option.
Trader Joe's	Organic Free-Range Low-Sodium Chicken Broth	Chicken	70	Great flavor with a low sodium count.
Swanson	Unsalted Beef Broth	Beef	75	A solid, very low sodium option for beef dishes.
Imagine	Free Range Low-Sodium Chicken Broth	Chicken	115	Praised for its robust flavor and basic ingredients.
Pacific Foods	Low Sodium Organic Vegetable Broth	Vegetable	135	Well-balanced flavor for a lower sodium vegetable broth.
365 Organic	Low-Sodium Chicken Broth	Chicken	140	A reliable and low-sodium choice from Whole Foods.

The Flavor Challenge: Enhancing Low-Sodium Broths

One of the main reasons people reach for regular broth is its salty flavor, which can feel more satisfying. But with low-sodium broths, you get a clean slate, allowing you to build your own complex flavor profile. Herbs, spices, and other aromatics are your best friends in this process.

Ways to Boost Flavor Naturally:

Add Fresh Herbs: Simmer fresh parsley, thyme, or rosemary directly in the broth for a deeper, earthier flavor.
Sauté Aromatics: Before adding broth to your recipe, sauté onions, garlic, and celery in a little oil until fragrant. This creates a base layer of flavor that doesn’t require salt.
Spices and Peppercorns: Use whole spices like peppercorns, star anise, or a cinnamon stick, along with ground spices like turmeric or cumin, to add complexity without sodium.
Umami Boosters: Introduce umami by adding a splash of soy sauce (use a low-sodium variety) or nutritional yeast. A parmesan rind can also be added to simmering broths for a savory, rich flavor.
Use Citrus: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end of cooking can brighten the flavors and make the dish taste more vibrant.

Conclusion: Making the Right Broth Choice

Choosing the lowest sodium broth ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities. For absolute control and the best health benefits, homemade broth is unmatched. It's free from additives and preservatives and gives you complete authority over the sodium content. However, for convenience, many store-bought brands now offer truly low-sodium or unsalted options that make a great base for your cooking. By paying close attention to labels and opting for products with 140 mg or less of sodium per serving (or even better, unsalted versions), you can significantly reduce your daily sodium intake without sacrificing flavor. Enhanced with fresh herbs and spices, a low-sodium broth can become the flavorful, healthy foundation of countless delicious meals.

Visit the American Heart Association website for more information on managing sodium intake

Frequently Asked Questions

For the absolute lowest sodium store-bought option, look for brands labeled "unsalted" or "no salt added," as these typically contain little to no sodium from added salt. Herb Ox offers zero-sodium bouillon packets, and Swanson's unsalted chicken broth has very low sodium content.

Yes, homemade broth is almost always lower in sodium than even the low-sodium store-bought versions because you control the exact amount of salt added. Many commercial broths, even low-sodium ones, still contain some salt.

A 'low sodium' product must contain 140 mg or less of sodium per serving. A 'reduced sodium' or 'lower sodium' product only needs to have 25% less sodium than the brand's regular version, which can still be quite high.

Not necessarily. The sodium content depends on the brand and whether salt was added. While some brands have excellent low-sodium vegetable options, always check the label, as a regular vegetable broth can still be high in sodium.

Yes, some bouillon products are designed to be sodium-free or very low in sodium. Herb Ox offers a Sodium Free Bouillon, though it does contain a salt substitute. Many other bouillon brands are very high in salt, so careful label reading is necessary.

You can add flavor to unsalted broth by simmering it with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme, sautéing aromatics such as garlic and onions, or adding spices like black pepper, bay leaves, or star anise. A squeeze of lemon juice can also brighten the flavors.

Excessive sodium intake can contribute to health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney problems. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control your overall sodium intake and season your finished dishes more accurately.