How to Make Vegetable Broth

How to Make Vegetable Broth

If you’re like me, you may have a tendency to buy a ton of fresh fruits and veggies at the beginning of the week, with great ambitions to create home cooked meals.  Then somewhere between work, kids, and other obligations, time gets the better of you, and before you know it, you have a slew of vegetables that are about to parish, and not enough time to cook them all. Once you start learning how to make vegetable broth from scratch, you won’t have that problem anymore! 

Last year I learned how to make homemade chicken broth, and have been loving it ever since.   Homemade broths are infinitely better than anything you can get in a can or carton, and the nutritional benefits are much more substantial.  And while homemade chicken broth is very simple to make, learning how to make vegetable broth is even easier, if you can believe it. 

I have put together a basic framework on how to make vegetable broth, but I never make a broth the same way twice.  The basic premise is to take 2-3 pounds of fresh vegetables, some herbs and spices, and 15 or so cups of water and let the yummy vegetables and herbs infuse the water. 

How to Make Vegetable Broth

• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• Fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme and bay leaves 
• Peppercorns 
• Salt to taste

Add all vegetables and herbs to a large stockpot and fill up with water.  I usually fill it to about 1″ from the top of the stockpot, but if you like measuring, you can try about 15 cups, or whatever will fit in your pot.  This is not an exact science 🙂

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for around an hour.  I’ve gone up to 4 hours, and added more water.  The longer you simmer, the more concentrated your broth will become.  

Other vegetables to include: 

• mushrooms
• green onions 
• tomatoes
• parsnips
• bell peppers 
• garlic 

Or any vegetable you love.  

Homemade vegetable broth has wonderful, rich earthy flavors. You get the added benefit of knowing what vegetables, and in what condition, are added to the broth.  

Now that you have delicious homemade vegetable broth, here are some ideas of what to do with it! 

• Crockpot French Onion Soup
• Posole

Or you can strain it, and pour it into glass dishes or freezer bags and freeze it until you’re ready to use it! It should last up to 3 months. 

Have you ever made your own broth?  Do you prefer chicken, beef or vegetable broth?