Friends! I’m so excited to bring you this delicious kitchen staple that is SO easy to make. I’ve been telling all of my friends how they should start doing it, too.
Consider yourself part of the inner circle who gets in on a secret: Making vegetable broth is what all the cool kids are doing. Let me show you how!
This broth is easy to make, requiring just 1 pot and basic ingredients you likely have on hand year-round.
The inspiration for making my own broth originally came from my pal Phoebe, who shared in her wellness book about making broth from vegetable scraps and garlic and onion skins collected throughout the week. BRILLIANT! Why had no one told me this before?
Ever since, I’ve been saving a big bag of vegetable scraps (carrot peels and tops, greens on their last leg, onion ends, etc.) in a bag in my freezer, and when it’s full, I know it’s broth time.
I start by sautéing the sturdier vegetables down until soft and tender. Then I add water, salt, pepper, and herbs.
Herbs add the “umami” to the soup, in my opinion. I went with fresh thyme, parsley, and rosemary and a bay leaf for good measure.
And for even more depth of flavor? Tomato paste and nutritional yeast! I know it sounds like an unlikely combination that makes this broth cheesy and tomato-heavy. But a little goes a long way in adding extra “oomph” to the broth and helps take it from vegetable water to AMAZING broth!
After about 1 hour of simmering on low, the flavors develop and your broth is ready to go.
Of course, you can cook it longer (the longer the better, really). But 1 hour is about the minimum for truly delicious broth. All that’s left to do is strain into storage jars and you’re set!
I hope you all LOVE this broth! It’s:
Hearty
Rich
Flavorful
Versatile
Easy to make
Healthy
& Super delicious
This broth makes the PERFECT base for soups, sauces, gravy, and all kinds of recipes, like my 1-Pot Chickpea Noodle Soup, 1-Pot Vegan Minestrone, Simple Vegan Stuffing, Easy Vegan Poutine, Thyme & White Bean Pot Pies, Mushroom & Leek Risotto, Tomato & Vegetable White Bean Soup, 1-Pot Curried Lentil Potato Soup, and Coconut Curry Ramen.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Easy 1-Pot Vegetable Broth
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp avocado or coconut oil (if avoiding oil, sub water)
- 1 medium onion (with skins // finely chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (with skins // finely chopped // or sub garlic-infused olive oil)
- 4 medium carrots (with skins // finely chopped)
- 4 stalks celery (finely chopped)
- 1-2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper (plus more to taste // divided)
- 9-10 cups filtered water
- 1 cup chopped sturdy greens (kale, collards, etc.)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 small handful fresh thyme*
- 1 small handful fresh rosemary*
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 3-4 Tbsp nutritional yeast (if you don’t have it, omit)
- 4-5 Tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil (or water), onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Add 1/2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper (amount as recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and stir to coat. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until softened and slightly browned, stirring frequently.
- Add water, greens, parsley, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and another 1/2 tsp sea salt and black pepper (amount as recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and increase heat to medium high until the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and add nutritional yeast and tomato paste (add less of both for less intense flavor, or more for bigger more robust flavor!). Stir to combine and loosely cover (with the lid cracked).
- Continue cooking for at least 30 minutes, preferably 45 minutes to 1 hour. The flavor will deepen the longer it cooks.
- Near the end of cooking, taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more herbs for herby/earthy flavor, salt for saltiness, pepper for a little spice, or tomato paste or nutritional yeast for “umami” and depth of flavor. In total, I added about 2 tsp sea salt and black pepper (amount as recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and all of the suggested amount of nutritional yeast and tomato paste (both of which add depth of flavor and make the broth rich).
- Let cool slightly before pouring over a strainer into another pot. Then divide between storage vessels (I prefer glass mason jars). Let cool completely before sealing. Store in the refrigerator up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month (sometimes longer). Perfect for use in soups, recipes, gravy, and more! Recipes listed above.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with avocado oil, all of the recommended salt, pepper, tomato paste, and nutritional yeast and with half of the vegetables because they are strained.
*You can sub 1 Tbsp dried thyme or rosemary per small handful fresh herb.
*Recipe makes ~10 cups broth.
*Recipe inspiration from Jennifer’s Kitchen.
Amy says
Delicious recipe! Curious what you and others have done with the vegetables afterwards besides compost? Thanks!
Hi Amy, we typically compost them because the leftover veggies don’t have much flavor. But you could add them to soups or feed to animal friends (checking to make sure what you’re using is safe for them).
S says
Such a great recipe. I added a little fresh ginger, lemon and a little buillon to add some more flavor and it’s incredible. I tend to go on the heavy side of the tomato paste and nutritional yeast. Sooooo yummy! Fiancée has requested this soup 4x in the last 2 weeks. :) thank you!
Those additions sound lovely! We’re so glad you and your fiancée are enjoying it! Thank you for sharing! xo
Barbara says
Posting a second time because I really love this recipe. I do make adjustments. I am not fond of the sweet nature of vegetable broth in general and my work-around here is to omit the onions and use leeks instead which have way less sugar. I use one whole head of garlic – like 20 cloves. I add one dried California, New Mexico or Guajillo pepper snipped with seeds. There is zero heat to these chilis and they deepen the flavor beautifully.
Sounds lovely, Barbara! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications. xo
LaVonne says
Can you can jars of the vegetable broth? If so, would it need to be pressure canned or water bath?
TY for years of fabulous recipes — I love them!
Thank you so much for the kind words and support, LaVonne! We haven’t tried canning it, but think it could work! However, we don’t have much canning experience so can’t offer instructions! Perhaps google has a better answer?
Ellie says
[19.10.24] I just made my very first vegetable broth by following every step of your recipe scrupulously and, that being so, I would like to express my infinite gratitude for your capital work, Dana. You rock.
Awh thanks so much for the lovely review, Ellie! You rock!
pati says
I’ve tried a lot of recipes for the broth but never was quite satisfied with it until I tried this recipe!!!
It really tic all the points for me and my family
Thank you!!!
We’re so glad you and your family loved this one, Pati. Thank you for sharing! xo
Pearls Nation says
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much!
Anne says
This is the best vegetable broth I have ever made! So flavourful and full of goodness. I used chard, parsley and stinging nettles leaf for the greens and cut up 2 perfectly ripe roma tomatoes rather than using tomato paste (which I didn’t have). I also threw in 2 true cinnamon sticks and 2 star anise pods. This one is a keeper!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Anne. Thanks so much for sharing. xo
Taylor B says
This is my favorite recipe I’ve ever found, ever.
It makes plenty of broth, it’s easy to customize to your wants, it’s super healthy and very filling! I store this in my fridge and regularly heat it up and drink it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It helps me cut down on my overall caloric intake because it’s THAT filling. Super savory and just perfect. I RECOMMEND that when it’s getting close to done simmering that you taste test so you can adjust the ingredients as needed. I also love adding in Chicken bouillon or broth to give it an even heartier taste.
It can be messy to clean up and you’ll need to babysit it on the stove but it’s WORTH IT!!!!
We’re so glad you love this recipe, Taylor! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Emily Sheffield says
I accidentally added the tomato paste and nut yeast right after boiling. Now it’s simmering for an hour. Did I totally mess this up by doing that?!😩
It should still be fine!
Harumi says
Can I use tomato sauce instead of tomato paste and olive oil instead of avocado oil ? I’ve recently made a batch of it following a recipe I saw on youtube. The ingredients were 4 pounds of tomatoes, salt to taste (I added 3 teaspoons) and half a cup of olive oil.
Hi Harumi, yes, those swaps should work great! You may want to add a bit of extra tomato sauce for a richer flavor.
Kathleen says
Wow! I have tried so many broth recipes and never quite found the right one… this one knocks it out of the park! I made it exactly as written. As a gardener I had all the herbs and was pleased to be able to use them fresh. This will be my go-to broth recipe going forward.
Whoop! We’re so glad you love this one, Kathleen. Thank you for the wonderful review! xo
Ashley Wardman says
I made this today (didn’t add tomato) but I was wondering what you mean when storing in the freezer. Do you still store them in mason jars in the freezer or do you put into ziploc bags?
Hi Ashley, we’ve done both! If using glass, be sure it’s freezer-safe and leave a little room at the top to allow for expansion and prevent cracking. Hope that helps!
Bailey k says
I made this recipe but skipped the tomato paste and blended up the strained veggies as a broccoli cheddar soup base! It was perfect!
So creative! Thank you for sharing, Bailey! xo
Marcy says
This was the first time for me to make veggie broth. I picked this recipe because of the option to add nutritional yeast which I have found to make so many things taste awesome!
The flavor of this recipe was outstanding. I’ll never buy veg broth again. Even my picky eater husband liked the white beans I cooked in this broth. If he knew I was serving him vegan food, he would be in shock.
I vac seal bagged portions and stored in the freezer, longer than a month and still the flavor is spot on.
We’re so glad you and your husband enjoyed it, Marcy! Thanks so much for the lovely review. xo
Raul says
I am DEFINITELY going to make this vegetable broth and the Vegetable White bean Soup.
Questions! How much is a “handful” of thyme? Can I throw in stem and all or only the leaves? What if I can’t find fresh? Alternative? Thanks for the recipe and answers. : )
Yay! We’re excited for you to try both recipes, Raul. The measurement of thyme is flexible, but ~5 grams. You can throw in the stems and all since you’ll be straining it. You could also sub a lesser amount of dried thyme. Hope that helps!
Lisa Bell says
What is the potassium content?
Hi Lisa, it’s ~150 mg. Keep in mind the nutrition info is a rough estimate!
Lynn says
Hello! This looks great, I’ve been wanting to try making broth!
But why do the veggies all need to be “finely chopped” when they will be cooked down and strained? That seems like unnecessary time and work?
And if it is necessary, could they be run through the food processor to save time?
And are there any veggies you wouldn’t want to use in this broth, or does “anything go”?!
THANKS!
Hi Lynn, finely chopping helps them get more browning/flavor in the sautéing step, but it’s not essential. Using a food processor could work, depending on the veggie. We wouldn’t go too heavy on cabbage, mustard greens, parsnips, turnips, or anything else with an especially strong flavor or a flavor you dislike!
Matilde says
Hi! I have a couple questiona, One has to do with English not being my mother-tongue 😁 so when you say scrap vegetables, do you mean like vegetable skins and leftovers from other recipes? Im guessing this does not apply to kale for example but potato, butternut squash and carrots for example? Also, what do you do (if you do not throw it away) with the leftovers from straining? The cooked vegetables scraps I mean. I hope I am being clear enough 😬 thanks!!
Hi Matilde, you’re very clear! 😊 Correct – use the vegetable skins and leftovers from other recipes. For kale, we like to save the stalks if we use just the leafy part in salads. For butternut squash and carrots – yes, the peel. The leftover veggies from straining won’t have much flavor, but you could eat them, compost, or feed to animal friends (checking to make sure what you’re using is safe for them).
Kim Castelli says
I am a new “cook” and when it states “small bunch” — i need it more spelled out for me. Also – why the not exact amount on yeast / paste?
Hi Kim, thanks for the feedback! If you click “metric” beneath the ingredients header, you can find weight measurements. The ranges are to account for personal preference and variation between brands. Tasting as you go helps with becoming a more skilled cook :)
Courtenay says
This has now been my go-to vegetable broth recipe for years! I always fill up two big ziplocks of vegetable scraps in the freezer, and then I know it’s time to go…I find it so satisfying to know I’m using every part of the vegetables I’m buying, and the broth itself makes for the most wonderfully deep & complex base for all my cozy winter soups and stews. It doesn’t even begin to compare to store bought. And the addition of the tomato paste and nutritional yeast sends this recipe into the stratosphere!
Thank you so much.
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Courtenay. Thank you for sharing! xo
Nicole says
I followed the directions for the amount of water and cooked it just over an hour and it reduced down to about 3 cups! Maybe I’ll need to double it next time.
That does sound like it reduced a lot! You can cover completely to help less liquid evaporate. Also, if you have a burner that’s able to keep a lower heat, try that!
Barbara says
The best way to ruin any soup stock is to let it boil, and this is no exception. Time is the master here. I find it’s best to keep it on a low simmer. In addition, I like to put the top on crooked so the stock can vent but steam up onto the underside of the lid and drip back down into the pot. Good luck! NTW, this is my savor is the veggie stock, hands down.
Corelia says
Making this to freeze! I use 750 ml jars without shoulders, leave a few inches headspace, and then I just pop ’em in the freezer. Frozen vegetable broth lasts up to 6 months but most people say to use it up after about 3, for the fullest flavour.
Daniel Mistele says
So I made this using the nutritional yeast and boy does it give it an umami punch! Also, I freeze them in freezer Ziploc storage bags. I put in 2 1/2 cups per bag The trick is, I’ll freeze them flat so I can stack them. I am able to stack all my stock,; vegetable, chicken and beef. I just grab one break off a chunk and put it in my food as I’m making it.
Christa says
Hi! There is a recipe to can Veg Stock in Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving–400 delicious and creative recipes for today edited by Judith Kingry and Lauren Devine p. 401.
In my experience when I canned bone broth it only lasted for a year (I think because of the fat). So I am looking forward to canning veg broth because it will last longer I think. I encourage people to drink this if they have trouble SLEEPING—it’s amazing!! Also thank you so much for sharing this fantastic recipe! I hope to try it soon!!!
Amazing! Thank you for sharing, Christa!
Kim O'Brien says
I made this, however I roasted all the vegetables and a full head of garlic in my oven first. It really brings out the flavors of the vegetables much more to roast rather than sauteing them first. This broth had way more flavor this way.
Love that! Thank you for sharing your experience, Kim!
Amanda says
How long did you roast the veggies for? Did you include the carrots and celery?
Joshua Johnson says
Has anyone tried roasting the veggies in the oven before using in this recipe? I think it brings a lot of extra flavor out in other recipes but i have never done it in broth.
Diana Honest says
Never mind, I didn’t read the whole recipe.
Enjoy :)
Diana Honest says
This sounds wonderful, but there is no measurement for water.
Terri says
Says 9-10 cups in recipe
Maggie says
I make a big batch of this on a regular basis to freeze, and use it whenever I need broth. I strain it through a food mill, and the resulting broth is rich and flavorful. I use it as a soup base, and also to cook grains like farrow, bulgur and barley. It really takes everything to a whole ‘nother level. Thank you.
Yay! Thanks so much for the review, Maggie!
DonnaSue says
Can this be canned safely, I have pancreatitis and often need to go to liquids so I am starting to pressure can things for when I am sick and this looks like a great place to start. I have never canned anything.
Thanks for the time you spent to share this
I made one batch and really like it, being able to use water instead of oil was what I needed.
Hi DonnaSue, we haven’t tried canning it, but think it could work! However, we don’t have much canning experience so can’t offer instructions! Perhaps another reader with more canning experience will be able to chime in?
Gwendolyn Lewis says
Amazing!! I made this for use during Passover week because I couldn’t find anything suitable at the store. I just left out the Nutritional Yeast. We didn’t even miss it! I will be making this again, and again.
Love it! Thanks for the wonderful review, Gwendolyn!
Jill says
I was looking for a no/low sodium veggie broth to make for a friend w/ dietary restrictions. What makes the sodium level 435mg per serving size? Or am I reading this incorrectly?
Hi Jill, sea salt is the primary source of sodium in this recipe. You can omit it, if preferred!
Bee says
Could we puree the veggies into the broth at the end instead of straining them out?
Thanks!
You could, but it’s not going to be a smooth broth. More like a soup.
Diane Medeiros says
I love making this broth. It’s hands down the best broth you could ever ask for; aromatic and very easy to make. Making some right now. Half will be used in a mediterranean Red Lentil Soup with feta and the other half will go into a vegetarian stew with soy curls, peas and potatoes. Thank you Dana for another fabulous recipe!
We’re so glad you’re enjoying it, Diane! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Katarina Schare says
I made this recipe and first left out the tomatoes. It didn’t quite to the trick. Once the tomato paste was added, it was the most delicious vegetable broth I have ever had! Instead of streaming the veggies through a strainer, I put them (once they were cooled down) in a kitchen cloth and “wrenched them”. I got a lot more juice out of them that way. More flavor. Less waste. Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
Yay! Thanks so much for the great review, Katarina, so glad you enjoyed this broth!
Vanessa Reed says
I can’t eat tomatoes. Would this recipe work without it?
Yes!
Fran says
Excellent recipe I’ve made a couple of times now; I have modified based on what veggies and herbs I have on hand and add extra nutritional yeast and a whole can of tomato paste. It freezes well and is a great base for a lot of soups and vegan dishes I’m learning to make, as my husband has recently switched to a vegan diet for health reasons and I am now pretty much vegetarian (although I still sometimes give in to being a ‘flexitarian’ and having some cheese on occasion!).
Yay! Thanks for the great review, Fran!
David Manchester says
If I chop the pieces larger do you think I could leave them in, add some beans and noodles and make it into minestrone or do I have to remove all the cooked veggies first?
Hi David, the veggies won’t have as much flavor at that point, but you could!
Haillee says
I’ve been making my own broth from veggie scraps for a few months now. I’ve been looking for a simple recipe to add a bit more dimension and flavor to my broth and this recipe delivers! I didn’t have fresh herbs on hand so I used dried thyme, basil, and parsley, three bay leaves and assorted combination of kitchen scraps, including red and green pepper tops and cores, celery and squash ends, garlic and onion skins,and whatever kale and collard stems.
Delicious!
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing, Hailee! So glad you’re enjoying it!
Suzanne says
Fantastic recipe! The only change I made is to add a jalapeno pepper and a whole little can of tomato paste. It now tastes very much like a less salted version of V8 :)
I’m in dieting mode, and this is my go-to drink alternative to snacking.
Couldn’t be happier with the flavour. Thank you so much for the recipe.
We’re so glad you’re enjoying it, Suzanne! xo