• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Diet Type
  • Dinner
  • About
    • Contact

Sunglow Kitchen logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Diet Type
  • Dinner
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Diet Type
    • Dinner
    • About
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Spring Recipes

    Published: Jan 26, 2022 by Petranka · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Easy Homemade Vegetable Broth From Scraps

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A collage of photos of vegetable broth with text overlay "Vegetable broth from scraps". A photo of vegetable broth with text overlay "Vegetable broth from scraps".
    Easy and cheap Vegetable Broth made out of vegetable scraps only! Requires just 1 pot to prepare and packs in so much flavor! Perfect for soups, curries, sauces, and beyond!
     
    This post was updated on 26/01/22 with better content.
     
    Vegetable broth is the base for many delicious meals, and making it with scraps is so easy and actually FREE! This recipe can be made on the Stovetop, Instant Pot, or in a Slow Cooker.
     
    Once you try it, there is no going back to the overpriced stuff you get at the grocery store. And if you have any vegetables that are about to go bad, this is the perfect chance to use them up!

    Ingredients and notes

    • Vegetable scraps- carrot peels, vegetable stalks, onion skin, the end part of red peppers and tomatoes, mushroom stems and peels, tops of leeks/carrots/sweet potatoes, stems from leafy greens (like kale or spinach), etc.
    • Salt. It's optional, but I do like to salt my broth for more flavor.
    • Herbs. You can add fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, or cilantro. For dried herbs, I like to add a few bay leaves.
    • Tomato puree, about 1 tablespoon for deep umami flavor. Optional.

    What to avoid

    • Citrus peels and herbs with tough stems. They're bitter and don't provide much flavor.
    • Strong tasting vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.
    • Hot peppers. I don't recommend making your broth spicy, because it's less versatile to use.
    • Potatoes and sweet potatoes. They'll release starch into the broth, and again, don't provide much flavor.

    How to make vegetable broth from scraps

    Step 1

    To a medium pot, add vegetable scraps, water, and any optional add-ins that you like (bay leaves, herbs, tomato paste, etc.).
     
    Bring to a boil. Once it starts to simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook for 1-2 hours.
     

    Step 2

    Let the broth cool enough to handle (10-15 minutes) and strain into another pot or into a bowl.

    At this point, you can season with salt if desired. Then, transfer broth into jars and it's ready to use!

    Expert Tips

    • Freeze scraps to make broth later. This is my go-to tip for you! Whenever you are cooking and you are left with a bunch of peels, stems, etc., simply transfer them to a bag and freeze them for later. I like to use reusable bags to avoid waste.
    • Simmer it for at least 1 hour. With broth, the longer you cook it, the deeper the flavor gets. You can go as long as 3 hours.
    • If you have any vegetables that may be going bad, throw them in! That's a great way to use vegetables that you forgot or couldn't cook when they were fresh.
    • Be sure to wash your scraps very well before using them.
     

    FAQ

    How do I store it?

    You can store it in the fridge for 5-6 days. For longer life, freeze it up to 6 months.

    Is vegetable stock the same as vegetable broth?

    Yes. These two are the same thing, so if a recipe calls for vegetable stock you can use your homemade vegetable broth!

    Can vegetable broth be substituted for chicken broth?

    Yes, you can use it in place of chicken broth, but I recommend spicing it up a little bit by adding 1 tablespoon soy sauce. This will provide flavor and richness.

    Can you make it in the Instant Pot?

    Yes! Add everything into the Instant Pot and place the lid. Press the Manual button and cook for 30 minutes. Then, allow for slow natural release. Strain the broth and it's ready to use.

    Can you freeze it?

    Yes! This broth freezes well and keeps for a few months in the fridge. I always make a big batch and freeze it for later so I can have it on hand at any time.

    Ways to Use Vegetable Broth

    This recipe has so many uses and is a great substitute in almost any savory recipe that calls for water. One of my favorites are:
     
    Eggplant Lentil Curry
     
    Dairy-free Potato Leek Soup
     
    Vegan Baked Spaghetti
     
    Fluffy Coconut Basmati Rice
     
    Vegetarian Moussaka with Mushrooms and Spinach

    📖 Recipe

    Two jars of vegetable broth standing next to each other.

    Easy Homemade Vegetable Broth From Scraps

    Easy and cheap Vegetable Broth made out of vegetable scraps only! Requires just 1 pot to prepare and packs in so much flavor! Perfect for soups, curries, sauces, and beyond!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American, Gluten-free, Grain-Free, Vegan
    Keyword: easy, herbs, stovetop, vegetable scraps
    Prep Time: 0 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 8 cups
    Author: Petranka
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Soup pot
    • Stovetop

    Ingredients

    • 1 gallon-sized freezer bag of vegetable scraps
    • 10-12 cups water
    • ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
    • 2 bay leaves (optional)
    • A small handful of fresh herbs such as thyme, cilantro, or parsley* (optional)

    Instructions

    • In a medium pot, add vegetable scraps, water, bay leaves (optional), and any fresh herbs that you may be using. Brint to a boil and simmer over low heat for 1-3 hours.
    • Once ready, let broth cool for 10-15 minutes, then strain into another pot.
    • Add salt and mix. Divide between containers/jars. Let cool completely before storing in a refrigerator, where it lasts for 5 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. Use for soups, curries, sauces, and more!
    Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

    Notes

    After the broth is strained, you can safely compost the cooked vegetables.
     
    *Calories are per cup. Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 10kcal

    Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

    Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

    More Spring Recipes

    • A tofu buddha bowl topped with peanut sauce and sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds.
      Tofu Buddha Bowl with Peanut Sauce (Vegan)
    • Coconut milkshake served in a glass and topped with whipped cream and coconut flakes.
      Creamy Coconut Milkshake (3 Ingredients)
    • Tagliatelle Pesto Pasta (15 Minutes!)
    • Onion bagels on a baking sheet layed with parchment paper next to a white bowl filled with cream cheese.
      Homemade Onion Bagels Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

       Hi, I'm Petranka!  

    A photo of Petranka in a white floral dress.

    Sunglow Kitchen is a food blog about delicious vegan and vegetarian recipes. We share easy-to-make and budget-friendly meal ideas that anyone can make at home! Cooking is a BIG passion of mine and I am excited to show you how simple it can be! More about me...

    Popular Recipes

    • Five carrot cake cupcakes on a marble platter, topped with carrot cake frosting without cream cheese.
      Carrot Cake Frosting Without Cream Cheese
    • Three tall glasses placed on a kitchen countertop, filled with smoothies to the top. Wooden straws sticking out of each glass.
      3 Easy Avocado Smoothie Recipes
    • Roasted pecans in a clear jar.
      Air Fryer Roasted Pecans
    • Orzo Mac and Cheese

    30-Minute Dinners

    • Four flour tortillas filled with tofu fajitas, and served on a white plate with parchment paper.
      Easy Tofu Fajitas Recipe
    • Vegan mac and cheese without cashews served on a plate, with a fork placed on the right side.
      BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese without Cashews
    • Beyond burger on a wooden cutting board layered with white parchment paper.
      Air Fryer Beyond Burger (10 minutes!)
    • Our garam masala curry recipe served in a white bowl with naan, topped with sour cream, chopped cilantro and a wedge of lime.
      Garam Masala Curry Recipe with Chickpeas

    Footer

    Top Budget-friendly recipes

    • A tofu buddha bowl topped with peanut sauce and sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds.
    • Onion bagels on a baking sheet layed with parchment paper next to a white bowl filled with cream cheese.
    • Lemon dill hummus in a white bowl served with fresh vegetable and pita chips on the side.
    • A spoon dipping in a glass jar filled with oat milk bechamel.
    • Overnight oats without yogurt served in a white bowl and topped with fresh berries, crushed pecans, and a drizzle of honey.

    Legal & Contact

    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a free eBook!

    Follow

    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 Sunglow Kitchen. All Rights Reserved.