Homemade Broth Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

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!

I’m so excited to share with you my recipe and easy tips for 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. I’m talking about the skin, carrot peel, and 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 preparing 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 leftover 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
Homemade Broth
Hannah Stewart
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings 12
Equipment
  • Slow Cooker or Crockpot
  • Instant Pot
  • Large stovetop pot
  • 1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients
 
 
  • leftover onion pieces (peel and all)
  • leftover carrot pieces (including the peel)
  • leftover celery pieces (leaves, stalk base, all of it)
  • 1 garlic bulb
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • leftover chicken bones (optional: for chicken broth)
  • pork bone (optional: for pork broth)
Instructions
 
Stovetop Directions:
  • Add all ingredients into a large pot and fill with water (I fill it up to the point that all your veggies and bones are covered with water).
  • Stir and bring to a boil
  • Turn down heat and simmer for a minimum of 2 hours (If I am home I will let it simmer all day or as long as I have. 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 broth in fridge for 3-5 days or freeze and store in freezer for up to 6 months.
  • TIP: 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!
Slow Cooker Directions
  • Add all ingredients into a slow cooker and fill with water (I fill it up to the point that all your veggies and bones are covered with water).
  • Set to low for 8-10 hours.
  • Strain broth with fine mesh strainer and discard everything besides the liquid. You should have no large pieces in your broth.
  • Store broth in fridge for 3-5 days or freeze and store in freezer for up to 6 months.
  • TIP: 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!
Instant Pot Directions
  1. Add all ingredients into an instant pot and fill with water (I fill it up to the point that all your veggies and bones are covered with water).
  2. Set to High Pressure for 60 minutes, then allow a 30-minute natural release followed by a quick release. 
  3. Strain broth with fine mesh strainer and discard everything besides the liquid. You should have no large pieces in your broth.
  4. Store broth in fridge for 3-5 days or freeze and store in freezer for up to 6 months.
  5. TIP: 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!
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten-Free:
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
 
 
Make it Dairy-Free:
  • This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g
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Is homemade broth healthy?

Yes! Homemade broth is so heathy! Whether it’s bone broth or veggie 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 traditional 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 it 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.

Homemade Broth FAQs

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Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Broth turned out!

Comments

  1. berta says:

    veo que preparas comidas muy ricas por eso me anote SUERTE Y EXITO berta

    • Hannah Stewart says:

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

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Hi! I'm Hannah

As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!

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