One cup of chicken broth has about 860 mg sodium in regular versions; low-sodium ranges 140–570 mg, and unsalted options can be 35–40 mg.
If you landed here to check numbers fast, here’s the short answer: most shelf-stable chicken broth lands near the salt of a small meal in one pour. Brands print sodium right on the Nutrition Facts label, but the swing is wide across “regular,” “reduced,” “low-sodium,” and “unsalted” cartons. Below you’ll see exact figures by type, how that compares with daily limits, and simple tricks to cut the salt without losing flavor.
How Much Sodium Is In A Cup Of Chicken Broth: By Type
Packaging terms signal big differences. “Regular” broth often sits near 860 mg per cup. “Lower sodium” usually trims that to the 500s. “Low-sodium” goes near 140 mg, and “unsalted” can sit near 35–40 mg per cup. Here’s a quick scan you can use at the store.
| Type Or Example | Sodium Per Cup (mg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular chicken broth (Swanson) | 860 | Common shelf standard; salty on its own. |
| Lower sodium chicken broth (Swanson Natural Goodness) | 570 | About one-third less than regular. |
| Organic regular chicken broth (brand varies) | 550 | Organic doesn’t mean low salt. |
| Low-sodium chicken broth (Swanson Organic Low Sodium) | 140 | Good base when you’ll season later. |
| Unsalted chicken broth (Swanson Unsalted) | 35 | Salt only from natural ingredients. |
| No-salt-added chicken broth (Campbell’s Canada) | 40 | Similar to “unsalted.” |
| Chicken soup, chunky, ready-to-serve (USDA) | ~867 | Soups often mirror regular broth salt. |
Why The Numbers Vary So Much
Broth is water seasoned with stock, vegetables, and salt. The label reflects that seasoning. Brands target palates that expect a salty base, since many cooks dilute broth with water, wine, or unsalted stock later. The more concentrated the base, the higher the sodium per cup. Organic lines swap farming practices, not salt level. “Stock” and “broth” also blur in marketing; either can be salty or mild depending on the label.
How That Cup Fits Into Daily Limits
Most adults have a daily sodium limit of 2,300 mg (FDA daily value), with an American Heart Association goal of 1,500 mg for better blood pressure control. One cup of regular broth (860 mg) can burn a third to over half of that range in minutes, while low-sodium broth (140 mg) leaves more room for other foods. If you watch your salt, pick cartons with “low-sodium” or “unsalted,” then season at the end.
Label Reading: Shortcuts That Save Time
Check Serving Size First
Some condensed broths list 1/2 cup as a serving. If you use a full cup without adding water, you double the sodium. Ready-to-serve cartons use 1 cup (240 mL), which matches how most people pour.
Decode Sodium Claims
“Salt/Sodium-free” means under 5 mg per serving. “Very low sodium” means 35 mg or less. “Low-sodium” is 140 mg or less. “Reduced” only compares with the brand’s regular, so the number can still be high.
Scan The % Daily Value Line
The sodium line shows a percentage based on a 2,300 mg daily value. A regular broth with 860 mg shows about 37% DV. That’s a fast way to judge impact without doing math in the aisle.
Smart Ways To Lower Sodium In Recipes
Start With A Lighter Base
Use low-sodium or unsalted broth when you expect simmering to reduce. As liquid cooks down, salt concentrates. Starting light prevents a salty finish.
Blend Broths
Mix one cup regular broth with one cup unsalted. The average lands near the middle, saving salt while keeping chicken flavor.
Add Umami That Isn’t Salt
Mushrooms, tomato paste, roasted onions, and a splash of vinegar lift flavor without sodium. A parmesan rind adds body; fish it out before serving.
Finish With Acid And Herbs
Lemon juice, cider vinegar, fresh dill, parsley, or chives wake up a dish late in cooking so you don’t chase salt for flavor.
Homemade Broth For Full Control
Homemade broth is a pot of bones or meat scraps, onions, celery, carrots, and bay leaves simmered in water. Skip the salt while simmering. Strain, chill, and scrape the fat. Season only when you cook with it. That gives you a clean base that takes on any recipe and keeps sodium in check.
Simple Unsalted Chicken Broth Method
- Add 1 kg chicken bones, 2 onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 2 bay leaves, and 12 cups water to a pot.
- Simmer gently 3–4 hours. Skim as needed. No salt.
- Strain through a fine sieve. Chill. Remove fat cap.
- Freeze in 1-cup portions. Label “unsalted.”
Can I Use Stock Instead Of Broth?
Yes. In many brands the salt level matters more than the word on the box. Check the label and pick the sodium range that fits your meal. If a recipe calls for broth but your stock is unsalted, add a pinch of salt at the end and taste.
How Much Sodium In A Cup Of Chicken Broth When Diluted?
If you cut regular broth 1:1 with water, 860 mg drops near 430 mg per cup. A 1:2 ratio drops near 285 mg. The math is linear. That trick works in sauces and braises where strong chicken flavor still comes through.
Daily Targets And What One Cup Uses Up
Use this table to see how a single cup affects common daily limits. “Regular” assumes 860 mg; “low-sodium” assumes 140 mg.
| Daily Limit | Mg Per Day | 1 Cup Broth: % Of Limit (Regular / Low-Sodium) |
|---|---|---|
| FDA daily value | 2300 | 37% / 6% |
| AHA lower goal | 1500 | 57% / 9% |
How To Pick The Right Carton
Match Salt To The Job
For sipping or quick soup, “lower sodium” may taste balanced out of the box. For a long simmer or reduction, pick “low-sodium” or “unsalted.” You’ll season later and hit the mark without overshooting.
Mind Condensed Products
Condensed cans often list a smaller serving and expect you to add water. If you skip that step, sodium per cup leaps. If you like the flavor, dilute to the printed directions.
Watch Serving Size Drift
Some brands print 1 cup; some 3/4 cup. When servings shrink on the label, %DV can look smaller without real change in salt per cup. Always convert to your pour.
Cooking Moves That Cut Salt Without Losing Flavor
Brown Aromatics First
Sweat onions, celery, and carrots in a pat of oil before adding broth. Browning builds depth so you can hold back on salt.
Use Starches To Tame Salt
Cook small pasta, rice, or diced potatoes in the soup. They absorb some salt and round the edges of a salty base.
Finish With Dairy Or Puree
A splash of cream, milk, or a puree of beans or cauliflower softens sharp salt notes while adding body.
FAQ-Style Checks Without The Fluff
Is Chicken Broth Healthy If I’m Watching Salt?
It can be. Pick “low-sodium” or “unsalted,” add herbs, and taste at the end. Regular broth is fine for a quick meal when the rest of the day is low in sodium.
Does Homemade Beat Store-Bought For Sodium?
Yes for control, since you season at the end. Store cartons win on speed. Keep both on hand: one unsalted batch in the freezer, plus a couple of low-sodium cartons in the pantry.
Will Broth Gel When Chilled?
Gel comes from collagen in bones and has nothing to do with salt. If your broth gels, you made a rich stock. Warm it and it melts.
References You Can Trust
Brand and guideline details come from official pages: Swanson lists 860 mg per cup for regular broth and 35 mg per cup for unsalted, while the FDA daily value is 2,300 mg and the American Heart Association promotes a 1,500 mg goal for most adults. Those links are included above.
How much sodium is in a cup of chicken broth? The numbers on this page give you a clear range and the tools to land right where you want in a recipe.