An OXO cube fan has shared a clever hack for opening the foil-wrapped stock cubes – and people are amazed by the trick which helps to create a sachet of stock
OXO cubes are a favourite kitchen staple for many. Available in beef, chicken and vegetable flavours, they’re used to add flavour or seasoning to a variety of dishes.
However, there’s a clever trick you can employ to make them even easier to use. A user on X shared their method, saying: “I can’t be the only one to do this with an OXO cube to make it easier to rip and pour in/on food.
“Thought it was common knowledge to flatten it into a sachet shape before tearing the corner.”
This ingenious trick ensures minimal mess when breaking up the cube and allows for an evenly broken up, lump-free powder. The cube has flaps on either side which can be unfolded to turn the packet into a flat sachet shape, then neatly crumble the contents by pressing down with your fingers.
Tear at the top and pour the sachet of stock into your food. This hack has gone viral on social media, with others demonstrating how to turn the cube into a sachet and crumble it into a powder.
TikTok user robbiegraham tried out this trick and shared the results in a video posted to the platform. One viewer commented: “I’ve been doing it wrong for years.” Another added: “Now that’s a game changer haha.”
A third admitted that they “never knew this” and shared that they planned to try it too. A fourth person said: “Wow…I didn’t know this…I’m 60!!”
OXO cubes were invented in 1910 by German chemist Justus von Liebig’s company, Liebig’s Extract of Meat Company (Lemco). While meat extract had been around since the mid-19th century due to Liebig’s earlier work, the creation of the compact, user-friendly stock cube transformed how beef stock was used in cooking, making it far more accessible and handy.
OXO cubes can be dissolved in boiling water to create a base for soups, stews, casseroles, curries, sauces, gravies, risottos or other rice dishes. They can also be used to season meat or vegetables – simply crumble an OXO cube directly onto raw meats such as chicken, beef, or pork, rub it in with a bit of olive oil before roasting or grilling to enhance flavour effortlessly.
For roast veggies, sprinkle a crumbled OXO cube over potatoes, carrots or parsnips before roasting, along with some olive oil. The cubes can also add flavour to pasta, rice or mashed potatoes. Instead of using plain water, dissolve an OXO cube in the water before cooking pasta or rice for a subtle, savoury boost.
You could even try crumbling an OXO cube into mashed potatoes for an extra savoury kick, especially in dishes like shepherd’s pie.
