Homemade Vegetable Broth from Scraps (2024)

FAQs

Can you use vegetable scraps for broth? ›

Most vegetable scraps are totally fine to use for broth, but I've found that certain ingredients are best in small quantities only, or avoided entirely. This includes: “Flavorless” Vegetables – like zucchini or white potatoes; these aren't going to do anything bad to the broth, but they're not going to help it either.

Making vegetable stock costs virtually nothing.

No need to let the vegetable scraps thaw, just toss them in a stockpot, add water, and let them home-cooked aromas fill your home.

Avoid using: vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, rocket, turnip and radishes give broth an overpowering and unpleasant flavour. Zucchini and soft greens have a tendency to turn the stock bitter and starchy vegetables such as potatoes will make it cloudy.

Avoid These Vegetable Stock Mistakes

The starch in potato skins can turn stock gummy, while all members of the cabbage family (this includes cauliflower, collards, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and all varieties of cabbage and kale) add unpleasant bitterness.

Herbs: Herbs like fresh parsley, fresh thyme, bay leaves, and basil provide a range of aromatic and fresh flavors. They infuse the broth with their unique herbal profiles, adding complexity and fragrance. Peppercorns and sea salt: Black peppercorns provide a subtle spicy kick and add a touch of warmth to the stock.

Save those vegetables that may have lost their crunchy appeal for a flavorful veggie stock. Even if stored properly, celery and carrots may become floppy after some time, but don't let them go to the compost. Throw in your onion skins, potato peels, and other veggie scraps from cooking to add more flavor to the mix!

While you can use a lot of vegetables in stock, you can't use all of them, because some vegetables—particularly cruciferous ones like broccoli and cauliflower—will make your stock bitter or otherwise unpalatable (read: farty).

Vegetable stock is made with untrimmed, sometimes whole vegetables, while broth is made from trimmed, roughly chopped vegetables. Vegetable stock generally takes longer to cook (at least 2 hours) than broth, which usually cooks for less than 30 minutes.

Tomatoes and tomato skins: Some of my favorite leftover vegetable scraps to add are tomatoes and tomato skins. These pantry-classic ingredients add a bright and sweet flavor to any homemade broth. Vegetable peels: Nearly any vegetable peel will work in this flavorful stock recipe, from carrot peels to squash peels.

How long does homemade vegetable broth last in the fridge and freezer? This broth will last in the fridge for up to one week in a well-sealed jar or in the freezer for around one month. Make sure if you're putting it in the freezer that you leave a little bit of space at the top as the liquid will expand as it freezes.

Is drinking homemade vegetable broth good for you? ›

Vegetable broth contains iron that helps to stimulate the formation of red blood cells, helping to avoid anemia, increase energy levels, and avoid tiredness. Homemade broth helps to manage body metabolism, optimizing nutrient absorption, and resulting in a lighter feeling.

Um, as you're cooking with stock, the the vegetable, the vegetables will release the nutrients and the flavor into the water and what you're left, um, what you're left to it is just kind of a mushy vegetable. It doesn't have a lot of taste.

Remove the tops/bottoms/skins/stems from any vegetables you are preparing (avoid vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or cauliflower as they will add a bitter taste to your stock) and place them in a ziplock bag - they can stay frozen up to 6 months. Note: You can add many other vegetable scraps (think sweet!)

It has always struck me as a huge waste to compost the spent veg, though, so I always try to find a way to eat them. Mashed up with olive oil or butter, say, they make a lovely side dish, or turn them into curries, soups and stews.

Save those vegetables that may have lost their crunchy appeal for a flavorful veggie stock. Even if stored properly, celery and carrots may become floppy after some time, but don't let them go to the compost. Throw in your onion skins, potato peels, and other veggie scraps from cooking to add more flavor to the mix!