Beef bouillon is a flavoring made of beef stock or beef-flavored stock, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It is tightly compressed beef stock and is used to replicate beef stock. This flavoring dissolves into liquids and typically requires 1 cup of liquid or water to make beef broth. Bouillon cubes are basically dehydrated stock packaged in an easy-to-use block form. Typically, bouillon cubes are made up of dehydrated meat and/or vegetables, MSG, salt, and various seasonings. Bouillon cubes are used to add flavor to soups and sauces, as a substitute for stock, and to thicken and spice a curry. Bouillon comes in a few different varieties, including chicken, beef, vegetable, and lamb. Bouillon is used to provide a lot of flavor and umami to foods without having to make a batch of bone broth or stock from scratch.

Beef bouillon is used to flavor dishes with red meats, such as beef stew, beef and vegetable soup, and marinara meat sauce. Bouillon cubes, paste, and liquid are all found in the spice or broth and stock aisle of the grocery store. Bouillon is a brick of umami savoriness with a strong, salty taste. Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Beef Base is made with roasted beef, giving it a richer, more robust flavor than ordinary bouillons or soup stocks.