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★★★★★6 Comments

How to Make Vegetable Broth

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by Lindsay Cotter Posted: January 27, 2022

Dairy-FreeEgg-FreeGluten-FreeGrain-FreeLow-CarbNightshade-FreeNut-FreeVeganWhole30
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how to make vegetable broth pinterest image

Learn how to make vegetable broth using a variety of roasted vegetables for a homemade vegetable broth that is perfect for soups, stews, casseroles, and more! This vegetable broth recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover veggies and tastes even better than store-bought varieties. 

glass jars of homemade vegetable broth with "vegetable broth" written in white

The 2nd installment of our Healing week, this guide teaching how to make vegetable broth is part of our Restorative Health Series, meaning it’s made with gut-healing ingredients and wholesome vegetables to nourish the body from the inside out.

Better Broth

Today, I’m giving you something a little different than what you might be used to seeing here. Of course, I still have a recipe for you. However, I’m also going to give you a bit of a tutorial, and I couldn’t be more excited! If you’ve been browsing social media lately, you’ve probably noticed more and more people making their own vegetable broth. 

For good reason, too! Not only is it great to sip on, but it’s also a crucial ingredient to healing recipes such as Thai Chicken Soup, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, and even Slow Cooker Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes! 

side image of clear vegetable broth in a glass container

Of course, vegetable broth is super easy to find at pretty much any of your local grocery stores, but have you ever tried making it yourself? It’s all the rage! (Do people still say that?) I know the process can seem intimidating, but I promise it’s not. In fact, learning how to make vegetable broth at home is a great way to save money and prevent waste by using up all your leftover veggies. It may seem intimidating at first, but don’t worry. I’ll walk you through everything you’ll need to know below! 

Benefits of Vegetable Broth

Did you know that vegetable broth is an extremely healing food? Depending on the different vegetables and spices used, vegetable broth can offer a wide variety of benefits and is easily adaptable to fit your individual dietary needs. For instance, the vegetables used in this recipe contribute a variety of vitamins and minerals along with fiber to help improve digestion, boost bone mass, and reduce inflammation. Thanks to the abundance of nutrients, vegetable broth has long been used to boost immunity and is an excellent way to stay hydrated and balance the body’s pH levels. 

Vegetable Broth vs Stock

While often used interchangeably, vegetable broth and vegetable stock are not the same things. Admittedly, they are very similar. However, there are several key differences in how they taste and the ways in which they are used. For instance, vegetable broth contains seasonings and is meant to be either consumed on its own as a healing drink or added to other recipes such as soups. Meanwhile, vegetable stock contains no seasonings and is not consumed by itself. Instead, it is used in recipes such as soups, casseroles, and sauces.

If you’re still a bit confused, you’re not alone. In fact, in many instances, only culinary professionals can tell the difference! To help break it down further, I’ve outlined the primary differences below.  

Broth

  • Contains seasonings and spices
  • Vegetables used are peeled, trimmed, and prepared as you would you them in a soup
  • Can be consumed by itself 

Stock

  • Doesn’t contain seasonings
  • Vegetables are used whole (leaves, stems, stalks, roots, shoots, and all!)
  • Used as an ingredient in recipes, never on its own
  • Stocks have more concentration of flavor and should be diluted 
Pro Tip

Note: In an effort to be vegan-friendly, this guide to make homemade vegetable broth strays from traditional versions but retains the same taste and texture you look for in a homemade vegetable broth! 

The Best Vegetables for Homemade Vegetable Broth

When making vegetable broth, you’ll want to include vegetables that are fairly neutral yet slightly savory in flavor. In general, onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms are the most common vegetables included in basic broth recipes.

a pan full of vegetables including an onion, shallot, carrots, a parsnip, celery, leaks, mushrooms, and fresh herbs showing how to make vegetable broth

For this vegetable broth, I also tried to include vegetables higher in protein to help boost the nutritional benefits even more! For a super flavorful homemade broth, I included:

  • Scallions
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Shallots
  • Celery
  • Parsnips
  • Mushrooms 
Pro Tip

Recipe Note: Unlike other traditional homemade broths I also include herbs and spices such as thyme, oregano, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt to help enhance the flavor of this recipe! 

Vegetables Not Well-Suited for Vegetable Broth

Feel free to experiment with different veggies to make this vegetable broth recipe your own. Just make sure to avoid including cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage as they will add an undesirable bitter flavor to the broth. 

How to Make Homemade Vegetable Broth

This vegetable broth recipe can be made in one pot in little time for a comforting broth perfect to keep on hand for all your favorite recipes! 

  • Roast (Optional). To get the most flavor out of your veggies, roast them before making the broth. To do so, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, add salt and pepper to taste, and roast the veggies at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes or until they are tender and browned, turning them every 10 minutes. 
overhead image of chopped vegetables in a pot to create vegetable broth
raw vegetables
various chooped vegetables in a pot to make vegetable broth
roasted vegetables
Pro Tip

Baking Tip: If you don’t want to roast your veggies, feel free to saute them for 5-10 minutes instead. Or, skip cooking them altogether, and just add them to a pot! 

  • Combine. Next, combine the vegetables and herbs in a large Dutch oven or stockpot, and pour water over them. Then, add the salt and peppercorns, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Simmer. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, and let the ingredients simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
a woman's hand pouring water over a pot of vegetables showing how to make vegetable broth
a large pot full of vegetables creating vegetable broth
  • Strain. Using a sieve, strain the broth into a large bowl. Save the leftover vegetables for soups, casseroles, and more! 
  • Cool. Let the broth chill at room temperature before covering and storing. 
chopped vegetables being strained showing how to make vegetable broth
a tablespoon scooping out clear broth from a dutch oven filled with veggies to make homemade vegetable broth
an overhead image of a glass jar filled with homemade vegetable broth

Meal Prep Q&A 

How should I save leftover vegetables in order to make vegetable broth? 

I love to save leftovers throughout the week to use in a big, flavorful broth! To do so, just save any leftover veggies you have throughout the week. Then, chop them into similarly-sized pieces, and store them in a sealable bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Or, if you want to create a big batch of homemade vegetable broth, store leftovers in the freezer until you’re ready to use them! 

How should I store homemade vegetable broth? 

Once your vegetable stock has cooled, add it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or, keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months for easy meals any time! 

What do I do if my broth tastes bitter? 

Unfortunately, homemade vegetable broth does taste bitter every once in a while. If you avoided using naturally bitter-tasting vegetables, this result is likely a result of cooking the broth too long. When this happens, the protein bonds of the ingredients break down, creating a bitter taste. 

Luckily, adding 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste is an easy way to help mitigate some of the bitterness! 

Ways to Use Homemade Vegetable Broth

As mentioned, vegetable broth can be used for a wide variety of recipes including soups, stews, casseroles, dressings, gravies, pastas, and more! However, if you’re looking for inspiration, some of my favorite broth-containing recipes include: 

  • Vegan Mushroom Gravy
  • Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
  • Crockpot Red Lentil Chili (Vegan)
chopped vegetables simmering in a dutch oven with water to create vegetable broth
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glass jars of homemade vegetable broth with "vegetable broth" written in white

How to Make Vegetable Broth


★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7–8 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

Learn how to make homemade vegetable broth to create healing recipes and prevent food waste! Sip it on its own or add it to your favorite dish.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 leek (or 1 bunch scallions), chopped in rounds, stems only
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled, tips cut off
  • 2 shallots (or 1 large onion), peeled and sliced into quarters
  • 2 cups celery, chopped
  • 2 large carrots (1 cup), sliced
  • Optional: 1 parsnip, sliced
  • 5–6 ounces (1 cup) mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • Handful of oregano leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Peppercorns to taste
  • 4 quarts water
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Olive oil, if roasting and seasoning

Instructions

  1. If roasting the vegetables, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil. (*If not roasting, skip to step 3.)
  2. Arrange the leek, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and parsnip on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables, and season them with salt and pepper. Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven, turning every 10 minutes, for 20-30 minutes or until they are tender and browned.
  3. *If the vegetables are not roasted, skip steps 1 and 2, and sauté the vegetables to release their juices for 5-10 minutes . Or, skip sauteing, and place all of the ingredients in a pot to simmer.
  4. Combine the roasted vegetables and herbs in a large Dutch oven or stockpot.  Pour water over the vegetable mixture, add salt and peppercorns, and bring the ingredients to a  boil.  Reduce the heat, and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring the surface occasionally. *taste and adjust seasoning if needed. See notes.
  5. Strain broth through a sieve into a large bowl. 
  6. Let the broth cool to room temperature. Then, cover and chill.  
  7. Refrigerate the broth in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. 

Notes

Note- If your broth tastes too bitter, stir in 1 – 2 Tablespoons of tomato paste. Mix to combine over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes before straining.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 5
  • Sugar: 0
  • Sodium: 480
  • Fat: 0
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 1
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 0
  • Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: broth, vegetable broth, soup, gluten free, dairy free

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After learning how to make vegetable broth, I’ve never gone back to store-bought varieties! Why would I when it’s super easy to make and helps prevent waste? Not to mention, it’s so flavorful, too! If you give this vegetable broth recipe a try, I would love it if you let me know in the comments below! 

Cheers,

LC

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Categories: Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Low-Carb, Nightshade-Free, Nut-Free, Stews and Soups, Stovetop, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30 Tags: broth, dairy free, gluten free, soup, vegetable broth, vegetarian

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

About Lindsay

Hi, y’all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten-Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. wilhelmina

    02/01/2022 at 6:32 PM

    This is such a great technique to have in your kitchen toolbox. Homemade broth is just such a game changer. Once I started making my own, I never looked back!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      02/02/2022 at 1:39 PM

      I couldn’t agree more!

      Reply
  2. cathy

    01/31/2022 at 4:57 PM

    I don’t know why I haven’t tried this before it turned out so so good.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      02/01/2022 at 6:15 PM

      It’s a must, for sure!

      Reply
  3. Gina Ceraso

    01/31/2022 at 12:52 PM

    I will never buy broth from the store again, this is THAT good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      02/01/2022 at 6:15 PM

      haha i love it! yay!

      Reply

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how to make vegetable broth pinterest image
Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

About Lindsay

Hi, y’all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten-Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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