How to Make Homemade Vegetable Broth (Instant Pot & Stove-Top)

Every plant-based cook should know how to make a simple low-salt vegetable broth. And in this post, I have both an Instant Pot recipe and how to make in on the stove-top, as well. The reason vegetable broth is important is that many plant-based recipes use it.  Take soup, for example, almost all include a vegetable broth. Or, when making grains, vegetable broth boosts flavor instead of water. Use vegetable broth instead of oil when sauteing onions. 

I know store-bought broths are easy to use, but you’ll be hard pressed to find one without a lot of salt. So, do find time in your busy schedule to make some homemade low-salt vegetable broth either on the stove or in your Instant Pot. Store it in the freezer for those times when you need it most (more hints on how to do that below).  

Making homemade plant-based vegetable broth is easy because you can use vegetable scraps that you’ve collected. I throw my scraps in a large bag and freeze them until I’m ready to make broth.

Of course, you can make it from fresh store-bought vegetables most of us have already in the kitchen such as onion, celery, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, parsley or even broccoli and cauliflower. 

It doesn’t get easier than this… basically, throw everything in a pot and cook. Using the Instant Pot will make the job a little faster, but it’s just as easy to put cook everything in a large pot on the stove.

Here’s a few tasty recipes that use vegetable broth:

• Mary’s Vegetable Soup with Farro
• Cauliflower Pasta Alfredo
• Beefless Stew
• Spring Asparagus Pea Zucchini Soup
• Cheeze Veggie Divan

Storing in the Freezer

If you want to store your vegetable broth, I find that the pint-size (2 cups)  large-mouth glass storage containers work well. Or, the larger quart size works, too. You don’t need to worry about the glass breaking if you use freezer-grade wide mouth containers as this reduces the likelihood that that will happen. PLUS, you need to keep the fill line a bit lower than the top and in the Ball jars, there is a line marking that (see photo). 

Just be sure to let them cool before placing in the freezer. You can freeze the broth for 4-6 months. 

If you need smaller quantities of vegetable broth, you can freeze in ice cube trays, then remove them and store in large freezer baggies or glass jars. 

I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below for this Homemade Vegetable Broth recipe! If you have a photo, post it on my Instagram page, tag me using the hashtag #plantbasedcooking in your caption, and I won’t miss it!

Print Recipe

How to Make Easy Plant-Based Vegetable Broth

Flavor your soups and saute vegetables with this easy low salt home plant-based vegetable broth made from your veggie scraps or fresh produce. Remember that you can mix up the combination by adding or leaving out any of the ingredients listed or use what you have on hand.

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Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Servings Serving Size

cups 1 cup MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

• 1 large onion (you can leave the skin on which adds color)
• 5 stalks celery chopped into large chunks
• 3 large carrots you don't need to peel them
• 1/3 head broccoli or other vegetable broken into chunks
• 4 cloves garlic with skin on
• 3 cups greens rough chopped
• 2 tomatoes chopped into large chunks
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 4 oz mushrooms cut in half
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
• ½ tsp sea salt (optional)
• 10 cups water

Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Servings Serving Size cups 1 cup MetricUS Imperial Ingredients 1 large onion (you can leave the skin on which adds color) 5 stalks celery chopped into large chunks 3 large carrots you don't need to peel them 1/3 head broccoli or other vegetable broken into chunks 4 cloves garlic with skin on 3 cups greens rough chopped 2 tomatoes chopped into large chunks 1/2 bunch parsley 4 oz mushrooms cut in half 2 bay leaves 1 tsp whole black peppercorns ½ tsp sea salt (optional) 10 cups water

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Instructions

Instant Pot Directions:

1. Chop the vegetables into large chunks.
2. Place all ingredients in the Instant Pot along with the water. Close lid and pressure cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Natural release for 15 minutes and then turn the venting knob to the venting position to release the remaining pressure. Open the lid carefully.
3. Strain the broth through a large colander into a bowl to remove the larger pieces and then through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the last bits.
4. Keep in an air-tight container(s) or for smaller quantities, freeze in ice cube trays. Allow to cool and then refrigerate.

Stove Top Directions

1. Chop the vegetables into large chunks.
2. In a large pot over medium high heat, sauté the onions until fragrant (about 2 minutes). Add the garlic and sea salt and cook another 30 seconds.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients into the pot along with the water and bring to a boil. Gently stir to combine.
4. Simmer covered on low heat for about 1 hour. The longer you simmer it, the more concentrated it will be.
5. Strain the broth through a large colander to remove the larger pieces and then through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the rest.
6. Keep in an air-tight container(s) or for smaller quantities, freeze in ice cube trays. Allow to cool and then refrigerate.

Nutrition/Notes

Label does not include added salt

Nutrition Facts

How to Make Easy Plant-Based Vegetable Broth

Amount Per Serving

Calories 46 Calories from Fat 4

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0.4g 1%

Saturated Fat 0.1g 1%

Sodium 62.6mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 9.6g 3%

Dietary Fiber 3.2g 13%

Sugars 3.9g

Protein 2.6g 5%

Vitamin A 20%

Vitamin C 68%

Calcium 8%

Iron 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.