Vegetable Broth From Scraps (Printable)

Create rich, aromatic broth using vegetable trimmings and classic aromatics. Perfect zero-waste kitchen staple for soups and cooking.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetable Scraps

01 - 4 cups assorted vegetable trimmings (carrot peels, onion skins, celery ends, leek tops, mushroom stems, parsley stems, garlic skins)

→ Aromatics & Seasoning

02 - 1 bay leaf
03 - 5-7 black peppercorns
04 - 2 cloves garlic, crushed (optional)
05 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste (optional)
06 - 1 sprig fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
07 - 8 cups cold water

# How-To Steps:

01 - Collect clean, fresh vegetable trimmings in a large bowl. Avoid potato peels, brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage, and overly starchy or sweet vegetables as they may impart bitterness or cloudiness.
02 - Place vegetable scraps, bay leaf, peppercorns, garlic, salt, and thyme into a large stockpot.
03 - Add cold water to the stockpot, ensuring all vegetable scraps are fully submerged.
04 - Heat over medium-high temperature until the liquid reaches a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low and maintain a gentle simmer uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, occasionally skimming foam from the surface.
06 - Taste the broth and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Pour broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container. Discard solids.
08 - Allow broth to cool completely, then transfer to airtight containers. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms what would be compost into something truly magical and saves you money on store-bought broths with questionable ingredients.
  • The process is incredibly forgiving and adaptable to whatever scraps you have on hand, making each batch a unique reflection of your cooking style.
02 -
  • Never include potato peels which will make your broth cloudy and starchy, a mistake I made early on that resulted in an unpleasant texture.
  • Roasting your vegetable scraps for 20 minutes before simmering adds incredible depth that transforms the broth from good to extraordinary.
03 -
  • If you dont have time to make broth immediately, keep collecting scraps in the freezer until you have about 4 cups worth for the perfect concentration of flavor.
  • For an ultra-clear broth, avoid stirring during simmering and let it cool slightly before straining, which allows particles to settle at the bottom.
Return