A review of the top three low-sodium broth brands

- July 22, 2026

Top Three Low-Sodium Broth Brands

“Low sodium,” “reduced sodium,” and “no salt added” are not interchangeable. The FDA defines low sodium as 140 milligrams or less per serving, while very low sodium means 35 milligrams or less. “Reduced sodium” merely means at least 25% less sodium than the regular version. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Rank	Product	Sodium	Best quality
1	Bonafide Provisions Organic No Salt Added Chicken Broth	55 mg per cup	Best overall ingredient profile
2	Pacific Foods Low Sodium Organic Chicken Broth	50 mg per cup	Best organic everyday broth
3	Swanson Unsalted Chicken Broth	35 mg per cup	Lowest verified sodium

1. Bonafide Provisions Organic No Salt Added Chicken Broth

Best overall for ingredient-conscious shoppers.

Bonafide provides approximately 55 milligrams of sodium and 3 grams of protein per cup. Its appeal is the combination of relatively low sodium, organic ingredients and a more whole-food-oriented recipe. (Amazon)

Pros: No added salt, modest protein and a relatively simple ingredient profile.
Consideration: It is not the absolute lowest-sodium option.

2. Pacific Foods Low Sodium Organic Chicken Broth

Best organic broth for regular cooking.

Pacific Foods lists 50 milligrams of sodium per serving and uses organic, free-range chicken. It is suitable for soups, rice, vegetables, gravies and recipes where you want to control the seasoning yourself. (Pacific Foods)

Pros: Organic, very low in sodium and versatile.
Consideration: Like most regular broths, it is not a major protein source.

3. Swanson Unsalted Chicken Broth

Best choice when minimizing sodium is the priority.

Swanson Unsalted Chicken Broth contains only 35 milligrams of sodium per cup, placing it at the FDA threshold for “very low sodium.” It contains 10 calories and 2 grams of protein per cup. (The Campbell's Company)

Its ingredient list includes chicken stock, chicken, vegetable concentrates, yeast extract and natural flavoring, so it is not quite as minimalist as some premium organic alternatives. (Fairway Market)

Pros: Lowest sodium of the three, widely available and economical.
Consideration: Contains yeast extract and natural flavoring.

What is the healthiest low-sodium bone broth?

My best overall selection is Bonafide Provisions Organic No Salt Added Chicken Bone Broth.

A 16.9-ounce container provides 310 milligrams of sodium and 18 grams of protein. That works out to approximately 147 milligrams of sodium per eight-ounce cup. Its ingredients include chicken bones, vegetables, herbs and apple cider vinegar, without added salt. (Heinen's)

However, there is an important distinction: at approximately 147 milligrams per cup, it narrowly exceeds the FDA’s formal 140-milligram limit for a “low-sodium” claim. It is better described as a lower-sodium bone broth, not a technically low-sodium product.

Kettle & Fire Reduced Sodium Chicken Bone Broth has approximately the same sodium concentration—310 milligrams per 16.9-ounce container—with 17 grams of protein. It includes sea salt, whereas Bonafide is sold as no-salt-added. (Smith's Food & Drug)

Pacific Foods Organic Unsalted Chicken Bone Broth has an especially short ingredient list—organic chicken bone broth and organic apple cider vinegar—but contains approximately 210 milligrams of sodium per cup. (Pacific Foods)

Therefore:

Best lower-sodium bone broth overall: Bonafide Provisions No Salt Added
Best high-protein alternative: Kettle & Fire Reduced Sodium
Best minimalist ingredient list: Pacific Foods Organic Unsalted
Best for a strict low-sodium diet: Choose regular unsalted broth rather than bone broth

What type of broth is lowest in sodium?

Unsalted conventional chicken or vegetable broth is generally lower in sodium than bone broth.

Bone broth can contain naturally occurring sodium from the bones, meat and concentrated cooking process, even when manufacturers add no salt. Among the products reviewed, Swanson Unsalted Chicken Broth had only 35 milligrams per cup, compared with approximately 147–260 milligrams per cup for several unsalted or reduced-sodium bone broths.

Homemade broth prepared without salt provides the greatest control. When shopping, check the nutrition panel rather than relying on the front label:

Choose 140 milligrams or less per serving for a technically low-sodium product.
Look for unsalted or no salt added.
Do not assume “reduced sodium” is low; it only means less sodium than the brand’s original product. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

What brand of chicken broth do hospitals use?

There is no single chicken broth brand used by every hospital. Hospitals purchase food through regional distributors, group purchasing contracts and institutional foodservice suppliers.

One prominent supplier is Campbell’s Foodservice, which markets Swanson broths specifically to healthcare facilities. Its healthcare materials include products such as Swanson Clear Chicken Broth and Swanson Natural Goodness Chicken Broth. (Campbells Food Service)

Hospital broth is not necessarily low in sodium. Some institutional Swanson products listed in Campbell’s healthcare materials contain roughly 570 to 920 milligrams per serving. Patients with a sodium restriction should request the hospital’s prescribed low-sodium or sodium-controlled broth rather than assuming that any clear broth is suitable.

Bonafide Provisions Organic No Salt Added Chicken Broth

Best clean-label

$7.99

Pacific Foods Low Sodium Organic Chicken Broth

Best organic value

$2.97

Swanson Unsalted Chicken Broth

Lowest sodium

$2.27

College Inn Unsalted Chicken Stock

Budget stock

$2.34

Bonafide Provisions No Salt Added Chicken Bone Broth

Best bone broth

$61.36

Kettle & Fire Reduced Sodium Chicken Bone Broth

High-protein option

$8.49

Pacific Foods Organic Unsalted Chicken Bone Broth

Simplest ingredients

$5.48

Bell & Evans Organic Chicken Bone Broth

Most protein

$9.99

For heart failure, kidney disease or another medically prescribed sodium restriction, the serving size and exact milligrams on the current package should take priority because recipes can change.

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Homemade Low-Sodium Chicken Bone Broth

Ingredients

2–3 pounds chicken bones, wings, backs, necks, or a chicken carcass
10 cups water
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium onion, quartered
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon black pepper
Fresh parsley, optional
No added salt

Directions

Place the chicken bones in a large pot or slow cooker.
Add the vegetables, garlic, vinegar, herbs, pepper, and water.
Let the mixture rest for 20 minutes before heating.
Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat.
Simmer partially covered for 6–8 hours. For a slow cooker, cook on low for 10–12 hours.
Skim off any foam or excess fat that rises to the surface.
Strain the broth through a fine strainer.
Cool promptly and refrigerate.

Storage

Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days, or freeze in one-cup portions for up to 3 months.

Flavor Without Salt

Add lemon juice, parsley, rosemary, turmeric, ginger, garlic, or a small splash of vinegar when serving. Avoid bouillon cubes, seasoning packets, soy sauce, and salted rotisserie chicken because they can sharply increase the sodium.

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