How to Make Broth

Gluten Free

How to make broth

Buying broth at the store was a staple in my pantry in the past. I love soups and making sauces with broth.

One day I tried making it at home. Seemed easy just stick a bunch of stuff in a pot and simmer. It was the best I had ever had and gave my soup recipes a whole new flavor.

I never turned back. BONUS it is cheaper!

I save over $300 a year!

Im so excited to share with you my recipe and easy tips to making your own at home. It is completely customizable and you can use this as a base for a veggie broth, chicken broth, or even pork broth!

As you cook over time, you dice and chop and end up with leftover onion, celery, carrot and garlic pieces. Im talking about the skin, carrot peel, celery leaves. All the stuff you have thrown out in the past. Just throw it in the freezer and fill the bag as you have leftover veggies. 

Once full make yourself some broth. All you have to do is throw it in a pot, fill up the pot with water and seasonings then simmer for at least two hours (If I am home I let mine go for the day or as long as I have)

If you happen to be meal planning you can either fill up that freezer bag right away and freeze till you’re ready, or throw it in a pot and simmer while you finish prepping the meals.

After the broth is done fill up a couple mason jars and stick them in the freezer. Thaw when ready and enjoy never having to spend money on broth again.

My favorite broths to make are a chicken bone broth and a veggie broth. I use the rotisserie chicken leftovers bones when I want to make a chicken broth.

Check out my recipe below for broth with some added seasonings for flavor.

Why you will love this broth recipe. 

  • No extra ingredients
  • Super Easy
  • Extremely Tasty
  • Healthy (Soy Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Preservative Free)
  • Family Friendly

Is homemade broth healthy?

Yes! Homemade broth is so heathy! Whether its bone broth or veggies broth you will get so many healthy benefits. Making your own is also healthy because you have control of the salt, ingredients and flavor. Some store bought brands are extremely high in sodium with lots of additives and preservatives. Not to mention I have had so many that are super bland. 

For the best homemade dinners use your own homemade broth. Freeze it in mason jars and you will always have some healthy broth ready to go. 

 

Ingredients you will need.

  • Onion leftovers (Skin and all)
  • Celery leftovers (Leaves and all)
  • Carrot leftovers (Skin and all)
  • Garlic Leftovers (skin and all)
  • Bay leaf
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Chicken Bone (Optional – for chicken broth)
  • Beef Bone (Optional – for beef broth)

Why bay leaves?

 
Bay leaves are the secret to a whole flavorful broth. Just throw one or two in with any combination of your veggies and the broth will be insane!
 
You will love it, never go without bay leaves again. You can make chicken, beef or veggie broth with bay leaves for added flavor. 
 
 

How to make this recipe in the slow cooker?

Just throw everything into a slow cooker and let it cook for you. Cook on low for 2-8 hours. No mess, no fuss and a delicious flavor!
 

 

What kind of meat can I use?

It all depends on what kind of broth you are making. For a bone broth use bones of chicken or beef. For a more tradition chicken stock or beef stock you can use leftover meat, skin and or bone. For veggie broth skip the meat and just add water to your vegetables. 
 

What do I use homemade broth for? 

Any recipe that requires broth. It’s also great to sip on or as a simple soup when a loved one is sick.  
 

How to store this recipe?

I like to make a big batch of broth and then freeze in smaller portions so that I can use it for any recipe. Use glass or other freezer containers and freeze once is cool. 

Do not freeze while still hot and be sure to leave a little extra room in the container as liquid expands as it freezes. 
 

Do I need a slow cooker for this recipe?

You do not have to have one as you can just cook it on the stovetop with a large pot. But you can use a slow cooker or crock pot for this recipe. It is designed to be fast and easy so you do not have to take the time to cook all night.
 

Can I use an instant pot instead?

Of course! If you are tight on time or a last minute cook then throw everything in the instant post and adjust cook time. For slow cooker to instant pot conversion times click here to get a simple instant pot cheat sheet. You will never have to guess or research an instant pot cook time again!
 

*See FAQ’s and specific tips following recipe below. (so you don’t have to scroll for a million years to find the food 😉 ).

How to make homemade broth? 👇 

Homemade Broth

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Hannah Stewart

Ingredients

  • Leftover Onion Pieces (Peel and all)
  • Leftover Carrot Pieces (Including the peel)
  • Leftover Celery Pieces (Leaves, stalk base, all of it!)
  • 1 Head of Garlic
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • Leftover Chicken Bones (Optional: For chicken broth)
  • Pork Bone (Optional: For pork broth)

Instructions

Directions:

  • Add all ingredients into a large pot and fill with water (I fill up to the point that everything is just underwater)
  • Stir and bring to a boil
  • Turn down heat and simmer for at least 2 hours (If I am home I will let it simmer all day or as long as I have. In my opinion the longer it simmers the richer the broth)
  • Strain broth with fine mesh strainer and discard everything besides the liquid. You should have no large pieces in your broth.
  • Store in freezer friendly containers for up to 6 months
  • Making broth is not an exact science so do not feel the pressure to have a certain amount of veggies just go with whatever you have and your broth will turn out delicious!

if you liked this recipe give it a share!

Tag @My_FamilyDinner or #MyFamilyDinner

How freezer meals will change your life.

Makes homecooking Easy

Only spend one hour in the kitchen for a whole week of dinners. Day of, throw your freezer meal in the slow cooker or instant pot and enjoy dinner!

feel confident

Knowing you have a fool proof systen for something that is easy and works gives you confidence in the kitchen. So wether you're a seasoned chef or occational home cook the method of freezer cooking will work for you!

Eat Healthier

Because you're prepping the freezer meals with fresh foods you're eating healthier. Anytime you cook at home instead of eating out you get the benefits of healthier food.

Enjoy less stress

Have you ever felt the pressure of forgetting about dinner, or having to cook at the end of a long day?! No more, just grab something out of the freezer and you're good to go.

Frequently asked questions

Throw all your vegetables and water into the slow cooker and add any seasonings you will be using. Remember you should ALWAYS add bay leaves because it adds insane flavor!

Cook on low for 2-8 hours. 2 hours is the minimum amount of time needed but the longer you let it cook on low the better your end result!

No, technically stock is any liquid which meat was cooked in and broth is taking a stock and adding veggies spices and additional meat or bone to the stock.

Bouillon cubes or granules can make a broth substitute. If the recipe has meat spices and veggies you may even be able to get away with water as a broth will form while the dish cooks. This will work well if you are cooking a soup or stew on low all day in a slow cooker or for a while in the instant pot at high pressure.

Bay leaf and more spices, always add a bay leaf!

Absolutely. You may have to play around with cook times. If you’re interested in an instant pot cheat sheet for cook times click here!

Chicken stock has traditionally been made when using bones and left over meat where chicken broth is more intentional using the meat parts. Chicken stock tends to have a more full flavor because of the flavor pulled from the bone.

It depends on the recipe. If you are using water to replace broth it will work best in a recipe that has plenty of spices and veggies or meat so that a broth is almost created while the dinner cooks. You also want to be sure that the recipe has long enough to cook and get the flavor around, if it is a quick dinner with a short cook water will not work as well. 

A soup has ingredients in it like veggies, meat and pasta. A broth is just the liquid. 

No milk does not work as a broth because it separate or losing its structure when boiled at a high heat. Some sauce contain meat or cream are boiled but usually it is a slow process and the sauce is constantly stirred to prevent the milk from breaking

Ingredients

  • Leftover Onion Pieces (Peel and all)
  • Leftover Carrot Pieces (Including the peel)
  • Leftover Celery Pieces (Leaves, stalk base, all of it!)
  • 1 Head of Garlic
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • Leftover Chicken Bones Optional
  • Pork Bone Optional

Instructions

Directions:

  • Add all ingredients into a large pot and fill with water (I fill up to the point that everything is just underwater)
  • Stir and bring to a boil
  • Turn down heat and simmer for at least 2 hours (If I am home I will let it simmer all day or as long as I have. In my opinion the longer it simmers the richer it gets)
  • Strain with fine mesh strainer and discard everything besides the liquid. You should have no large pieces in the end result.
  • Store in freezer friendly containers for up to 6 months
  • Do not feel the pressure to have a certain amount of veggies just go with whatever you have and it will be delicious!

Don't forget to pin this recipe and save it for later! 👇

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2 Comments

    1. Thank you so much!! I love cooking for others and sharing my love and passion! Hope you enjoy <3

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