Vegetable Broth (Version 1.3)
🕒 Cook Time: 8 hours
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Description:
One of the best uses for a slow cooker is making vegetable broth. You can control the amount of sodium and the variety of vegetables and seasoning, and the broth can develop a full, rich flavor in the slow-cooker while you busy yourself elsewhere. This recipe depends on browned onion for a hearty flavor and parsnip for a subtle sweetness, but you can experiment with your own variations.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | onion |
| 2 tbsp | canola oil |
| 1 | carrot |
| 1 | parsnip |
| 1 | potato |
| 1 | turnip |
| 1 | zucchini |
| 1 | celery |
| 1 | leek |
| 3 | Brussels sprouts |
| 3 | green onions |
| 3 cloves | garlic |
| 1 | bay leaf |
| 1/2 tsp | peppercorns |
| 3 | cloves |
| 3/4 tsp | celery seed |
| 6 | sage leaves |
| 5 | allspice berries |
| 1 tbsp | oregano |
| 1/4 cup | pure maple syrup |
| 1 tbsp | honey |
| 1 tbsp | canola oil |
| 1 tbsp | cider vinegar |
| 1 tbsp | reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce |
| 1 gallon | water |
| 1 can (28 oz) | no-salt-added whole tomatoes |
| 1 tbsp | unsalted butter |
Directions:
-
Saute Onion: In a skillet, saute chopped onion in canola oil until it is well browned.
-
Combine Ingredients: Transfer the browned onion to a slow cooker and add all the remaining ingredients, including carrot, parsnip, potato, turnip, zucchini, celery, leek, Brussels sprouts, green onions, garlic cloves, bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, celery seed, sage leaves, allspice berries, oregano, pure maple syrup, honey, canola oil, cider vinegar, reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce, water, tomatoes, and unsalted butter.
-
Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 10 hours. A longer cooking time will result in a stronger broth.
-
Strain: Once cooked, strain out and discard or compost the vegetables, bay leaves, and spices.
-
Cool and Store: Allow the broth to cool, then refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze in small portions to use in recipes calling for 1/2 cup or 1 cup servings.
Enjoy your homemade vegetable broth in soups, stews, risottos, and other dishes for added flavor and nutrition!
