Broth vs. Soup — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 10, 2023
Broth is a liquid made by simmering meat or vegetables, while soup is a dish that can contain broth, meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Difference Between Broth and Soup
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Broth is typically a clear liquid made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables in water, often with herbs and spices. Soup, on the other hand, is a more complex dish that not only can include broth but also contains additional ingredients like vegetables, meat, grains, or pasta.
In culinary terms, broth is usually considered a base or a starting point. Soup, however, is often a standalone dish, complete with a range of flavors and textures, made richer and more filling by the inclusion of various components beyond just the liquid.
Broth is commonly used in various recipes to add flavor or as a low-calorie base for other dishes. Soup is often enjoyed on its own or with bread and is a common staple in many cuisines worldwide, serving as an appetizer, main course, or even a dessert in some cultures.
Broth can be made more quickly than soup, often being ready in as little as 30 minutes to an hour. Soup usually takes longer to prepare because additional ingredients need to be cooked and flavors melded together, sometimes requiring hours of simmering for complex varieties.
Comparison Chart
Ingredients
Meat or vegetables and water
Meat or vegetables, and often grains or pasta
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Complexity
Simpler, usually just a liquid
More complex, often a full meal
Cooking Time
Shorter, usually under an hour
Longer, sometimes requiring hours
Usage
As a base or supplement in dishes
Often a standalone dish
Consistency
Generally clear and thin
Can be clear, creamy, or chunky
Compare with Definitions
Broth
Broth is a clear liquid made by simmering meat or vegetables.
I used chicken broth to make the risotto.
Soup
Soup is a dish that combines broth with vegetables, meat, or grains.
I enjoyed a hearty chicken noodle soup for lunch.
Broth
Broth is often flavored with herbs and spices.
I added thyme and rosemary to the vegetable broth.
Soup
Soup can be a standalone meal.
The minestrone soup was filling enough on its own.
Broth
Broth can serve as a base for other dishes.
The broth was the starting point for my homemade gravy.
Soup
Soup can vary in texture and consistency.
The tomato soup was creamy and rich.
Broth
Broth is typically thin and free of solid ingredients.
The broth in the Pho was flavorful yet clear.
Soup
Soup is often served hot but can be cold.
The gazpacho was a refreshing cold soup.
Broth
Broth can be consumed on its own as a low-calorie option.
I sipped on bone broth during my fast.
Soup
Soup is commonly eaten with bread or crackers.
I like to dip crusty bread into my clam chowder.
Broth
Broth, also known as bouillon [French pronunciation: [bu.jɔ̃]], is a savory liquid made of water in which bones, meat, or vegetables have been simmered. It can be eaten alone, but it is most commonly used to prepare other dishes, such as soups, gravies, and sauces.
Soup
Soup is a primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot (but may be cool or cold), that is made by combining ingredients of meat or vegetables with stock, milk, or water. Hot soups are additionally characterized by boiling solid ingredients in liquids in a pot until the flavors are extracted, forming a broth.
Broth
The water in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been boiled; stock.
Soup
A liquid food prepared from meat, fish, or vegetable stock combined with various other ingredients and often containing solid pieces.
Broth
A thin, clear soup based on stock, to which rice, barley, meat, or vegetables may be added.
Soup
Dense fog.
Broth
A liquid containing nutrients for culturing microorganisms
Inoculated the broth with bacteria.
Soup
Nitroglycerine.
Broth
(uncountable) Water in which food (meat or vegetable etc) has been boiled.
Soup
Primordial soup.
Broth
(countable) A soup made from broth and other ingredients such as vegetables, herbs or diced meat.
Soup
A chaotic or unfortunate situation.
Broth
Liquid in which flesh (and sometimes other substances, as barley or rice) has been boiled; thin or simple soup.
I am sure by your unprejudiced discourses that you love broth better than soup.
Soup
Any of various dishes commonly made by combining liquids, such as water or stock with other ingredients, such as meat and vegetables, that contribute flavor and texture.
Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup.
Broth
Liquid in which meat and vegetables are simmered; used as a basis for e.g. soups or sauces;
She made gravy with a base of beef stock
Soup
(countable) A serving of such a dish, typically in a bowl.
Broth
A thin soup of meat or fish or vegetable stock
Soup
(uncountable) The liquid part of such a dish; the broth.
Soup
(figuratively) Any mixture or substance suggestive of soup consistency.
Soup
(slang) Thick fog or cloud (also pea soup).
Soup
Or gelignite, especially when used for safe-cracking.
Soup
(cant) dope (an illicit drug used for making horses run faster or to change their personality).
Soup
(photography) Processing chemicals into which film is dipped, such as developer.
Soup
(biology) A liquid or gelatinous substrate, especially the mixture of organic compounds that is believed to have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.
Primordial soup
Soup
An unfortunate situation; trouble, problems (a fix, a mess); chaos.
Soup
(surfing) The foamy portion of a wave.
Soup
Alternative form of sup
Soup
(uncommon) To feed: to provide with soup or a meal.
Soup
(photography) To develop (film) in a (chemical) developing solution.
Soup
(obsolete) To proselytize by feeding the impoverished as long as they listen to one's preaching.
Soup
Alternative form of sup
Soup
(obsolete) To sweep.
Soup
A liquid food of many kinds, usually made by boiling meat and vegetables, or either of them, in water, - commonly seasoned or flavored; strong broth.
Soup
To sup or swallow.
Soup
To breathe out.
Soup
To sweep. See Sweep, and Swoop.
Soup
Liquid food especially of meat or fish or vegetable stock often containing pieces of solid food
Soup
Any composition having a consistency suggestive of soup
Soup
An unfortunate situation;
We're in the soup now
Soup
Dope (a racehorse)
Common Curiosities
Can you make Soup out of Broth?
Yes, broth often serves as the base for various types of soup.
What is Broth?
Broth is a clear liquid made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables.
How do Broth and Soup differ?
Broth is a simple liquid, while soup is a more complex dish with multiple ingredients.
How long does it take to make Broth?
Broth can be made in as little as 30 minutes to an hour.
Can you eat Broth by itself?
Yes, broth can be consumed on its own, often as a low-calorie option.
What is Soup?
Soup is a dish that often contains broth, meat, vegetables, and sometimes grains or pasta.
Is Broth a type of Soup?
Broth can be a component of soup, but it's not considered a type of soup.
Can Soup be clear like Broth?
Some soups are clear, but they usually contain additional ingredients like vegetables or meat.
Is Broth always clear?
Broth is generally clear and thin, though seasonings can add some color.
How long does it take to make Soup?
Soup can take longer, sometimes requiring hours for complex varieties.
Is Soup usually a standalone dish?
Soup is often enjoyed as a standalone dish or part of a meal.
Can Soup include bones?
Some soups may include bones for flavor, but they are usually
Is Broth used in other recipes?
Broth is commonly used as a base in sauces, gravies, and other dishes.
Is Soup ever used as a base for other dishes?
Soup is generally not used as a base but can be a component in casseroles or pot pies.
Can Broth be made from bones?
Yes, bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
