What are the ingredients in Oxo stock?

The iconic OXO cube was first introduced in 1910 and has since become a cornerstone of British cooking. A curious home cook might wonder: what are the ingredients in Oxo stock, particularly when comparing the different flavour varieties on offer?

Quick Summary

A detailed analysis of the components found in Oxo stock cubes, reviewing the specific ingredients for beef, chicken, and vegetable varieties, alongside common additives like flavour enhancers, allergens, and fats.

Key Points

• Ingredient Overview: Oxo stock cubes rely on a base of salt, flour, starches, and yeast extract, complemented by flavour enhancers like MSG and Disodium Guanylate.

• Flavour Differences: The distinct flavour of each cube comes from specific additions like beef fat and bonestock for beef, chicken fat and extract for chicken, and vegetable powders for the vegetable cubes.

• Allergen Alert: Standard Oxo cubes contain wheat and gluten due to the inclusion of flour. Individuals with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity should use Oxo stock pots, which are certified gluten-free.

• Dietary Options: While standard beef and chicken cubes are not vegan, the vegetable and specific 'vegan beef flavour' cubes are suitable for plant-based diets.

• Additive Usage: Flavour enhancers are key to the umami profile of Oxo cubes. The product also uses colourings like ammonia caramel and may contain palm or rapeseed oil.

• Reduced Salt Versions: For health-conscious consumers, Oxo offers reduced-salt versions of its most popular stock cubes.

Core Ingredients Found in Oxo Stock Cubes

Oxo stock cubes across different flavours and formulations typically share core ingredients that form their savoury base. These often include a combination of seasonings, starches, and flavour agents.

Common components include:

• Salt: A primary ingredient for flavour and preservation.
• Wheat Flour: Acts as a thickener and binder, and is a key allergen.
• Yeast Extract: Provides a rich umami flavour.
• Flavour Enhancers: Such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG, or E621) and Disodium Guanylate (E627), used to intensify taste.
• Starches: Maize or potato starch contribute to structure.
• Colourings: Like Ammonia caramel (E150c) for desired colour.

The Breakdown: Beef, Chicken, and Vegetable Cube Ingredients

Each flavour variant builds on the core ingredients with specific additions. Beef cubes include beef fat and bonestock, chicken cubes feature chicken fat and concentrated extract, and vegetable cubes use vegetable powders, herbs, and palm oil for a plant-based profile.

Vegan and Reduced-Salt Options

Oxo offers variants catering to specific dietary needs. Vegan beef flavoured cubes replace animal products with palm oil and flavourings. Reduced-salt options lower the sodium content while retaining core ingredients and flavour enhancers.

A Comparison of Oxo Stock Cube Ingredients

Ingredient Category	Standard Beef Cube	Standard Chicken Cube	Standard Vegetable Cube
Core Base	Wheat Flour, Salt, Maize Starch, Yeast Extract	Wheat Flour, Salt, Dried Glucose Syrup, Yeast Extract, Potato Starch	Salt, Potato Starch, Wheat Flour, Dried Glucose Syrup, Yeast Extract
Flavour Enhancers	MSG (E621), Disodium Guanylate (E627)	MSG (E621)	MSG (E621), Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides (E635)
Main Flavouring Agent	Beef Fat, Dried Beef Bonestock, Flavourings	Chicken Fat, Concentrated Chicken Extract, Flavourings	Vegetable powders (Onion, Celery, Tomato), Herbs
Fats	Beef Fat (4.5%)	Chicken Fat (3%)	Palm Oil
Colouring	Ammonia Caramel (E150c)	Ammonia Caramel (E150c)	None (Natural colours)

Common Allergens and Dietary Information

Standard Oxo stock cubes contain wheat and gluten, and some contain barley from yeast extract. Gluten-free alternatives like Oxo stock pots are available. Standard beef and chicken cubes are not vegan, but the vegetable and vegan beef flavour cubes are suitable for vegan diets.

Conclusion: Navigating the Ingredients

Oxo stock cubes are a convenient blend of starches, flavourings, and fats. Salt and wheat flour form the base, with yeast extract and flavour enhancers like MSG providing the savoury taste. Dietary restrictions require checking labels; Oxo offers vegan and gluten-free options.

For further ingredient details and product information, please visit the official Oxo UK website.

Key Additives Explained

• Yeast extract: Provides natural umami flavour.
• Flavour enhancers (MSG, Disodium Guanylate): Intensify and deepen the overall flavour.
• Ammonia Caramel (E150c): Used for brown colouring, especially in beef variants.
• Acidity Regulator (Lactic Acid): Controls acidity levels.

Are Oxo stock cubes natural?

• Heading: Not purely natural. They contain both naturally derived ingredients and processed additives.

Are Oxo stock cubes bad for you?

• Heading: High in salt. While fine in moderation, their high sodium and additive content means some prefer reduced-salt versions or limited use.

Do Oxo cubes contain beef/chicken?

• Heading: Yes, in standard versions. Standard beef and chicken cubes contain animal fats/extracts. Vegan options exist.

Are there gluten-free Oxo options?

• Heading: Yes, like stock pots. Standard cubes contain wheat, but stock pots and select other products are gluten-free.

What is the history of the Oxo stock cube?

• Heading: Over a century of flavour. Developed in 1910 from a meat extract concept dating back to the 1840s.

Are there any vegan Oxo stock cubes?

• Heading: Yes. The vegetable and 'vegan beef flavour' cubes are vegan.

What is Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides?

• Heading: A flavour enhancer. This additive (E635) enhances savoury taste, often with MSG, and is in some Oxo products like vegetable stock.

Do Oxo stock cubes contain MSG?

• Heading: Yes. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate, E621) is a listed flavour enhancer in many cubes.

What type of oil is used in Oxo stock cubes?

• Heading: Palm or other vegetable oils. Palm oil is in vegetarian/vegan types; rapeseed oil may also be used due to supply issues.

What is the difference between Oxo cubes and stock pots?

• Heading: Form and ingredients. Pots are softer, concentrated pastes, often gluten-free, unlike hard cubes containing wheat.

How does the salt content compare in different Oxo cubes?

• Heading: Reduced-salt options exist. Standard cubes are high in salt; 'reduced salt' versions have less sodium.

Do Oxo cubes contain artificial preservatives?

• Heading: No. Many packs state they are free from artificial preservatives.

What are the ingredients in Oxo's vegan beef flavour stock?

• Heading: Plant-based. Contains wheat flour, salt, maize starch, yeast extract, flavour enhancers (MSG, Disodium Guanylate), and palm oil, without beef products.

Do Oxo cubes contain barley?

• Heading: Yes, in yeast extract. Yeast extract in some cubes contains barley, an allergen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Oxo stock cubes gluten-free?

No, standard Oxo stock cubes are not gluten-free as they contain wheat flour. However, Oxo does offer stock pots that are explicitly labelled as gluten-free.

Are Oxo vegetable stock cubes vegan?

Yes, standard Oxo vegetable stock cubes are suitable for vegans, as are the specifically labelled 'vegan beef flavour' cubes.

Do Oxo stock cubes contain MSG?

Yes, many Oxo stock cubes contain MSG, which is listed as Monosodium Glutamate (E621) on the ingredients list as a flavour enhancer.

What kind of fat is in Oxo stock cubes?

The fat type varies by flavour. Standard beef cubes contain beef fat, standard chicken cubes contain chicken fat, and vegetable/vegan versions use palm oil.

Are Oxo stock cubes and stock pots the same?

No, they are different products. Stock pots are a softer, more concentrated paste and are typically gluten-free, unlike the traditional stock cubes.

Do Oxo stock cubes contain artificial preservatives?

No, the packaging for many Oxo stock cubes specifies that they contain no artificial preservatives.

What gives Oxo cubes their savoury flavour?

The rich, savoury flavour comes primarily from yeast extract and added flavour enhancers like Monosodium Glutamate (E621) and Disodium Guanylate (E627).