No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe - Going Zero Waste (2024)

No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe

Plant Based Recipes

October 26, 2015 | Kathryn Kellogg

Last Updated on October 26, 2022

This vegetable stock recipe is incredibly flavorful and versatile. Add it to all your favorite soups and recipes to give them both flavor and nutrients.

Whether you are making stock from fresh veggies or vegetable stock from scraps, it’s easy and almost impossible to mess up. We will answer all your questions like “what is vegetable stock?” and “how do you make vegetable stock cubes?”

No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe - Going Zero Waste (1)

Table of Contents

vegetable stock recipe

This vegetable stock recipe is so easy and inexpensive. Really. There’s no excuse to ever, ever buy it in the store ever again.

You’ll be able to avoid unnecessary preservatives and those awful tetrapaks.

what is vegetable stock?

Vegetable stock is made with vegetables that have been boiled and simmered for several hours. It can be used in a variety of different recipes.

what is the difference between vegetable stock and vegetable broth?

Basically, the difference between this vegetable stock recipe and broth is seasonings and herbs. Once you add seasonings and herbs, you will end up with vegetable broth instead of stock.

Vegetable Stock: Unseasoned

Vegetable Broth: Seasoned (salt, pepper, herbs, etc.)

I don’t like to season mine, because I like to keep my options open.Now that we have that settled, let’s continue!

No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe - Going Zero Waste (2)

vegetable stock tips

Most regional cuisines are based on three very key ingredients. Carrots, onions, and celery are the base of the mirepoix, which is commonly found in both French and Southern cuisines. The Italians have a soffrito which is a mix of tomatoes, garlic, and onion. And, in New Orleans, they have the holy trinity of celery, onion, and green bell pepper. Depending on what you like to cook, you can add any of these ingredients to your stock.

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You will want to steer clear of the cruciferous family. They can impart a very bitter flavor to your broth. Potatoes are not cruciferous, but they will make your broth very cloudy and don’t impart much flavor.

As you’re prepping meals throughout the week, you can cut off the odds and ends of onions, carrots, and garlic peels and throw them all in a bowl in the freezer. Once it starts to fill up, you can use it to make stock!

No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe - Going Zero Waste (4)

You can see my “before” above — a nice full pot of veggies scraps…

No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe - Going Zero Waste (5)

…and this is after the mixture has been simmered for six hours.

vegetable stock from scraps

Roughly chop and wash your vegetables. You want to make sure you remove any dirt.Dump all of your veggie bits in a pot big enough to hold all of them, then cover them with water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Put on the lid and walk away!

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That’s it! So easy, right!?

Now, you can let this simmer for just an hour or two for a light flavor. But, I like mine to get very condensed and rich, so I let it simmer for approximately six hours. Then, I store it in the freezer so I always have some on hand.

I made 15 cups of stock for $3.00! That much organic stock in the store would cost me $21.50.

frequently asked questions

how do you use vegetable stock?

I use this vegetable stock recipe in soups, enchilada sauce, risotto, pasta, dog treats, and really almost everything. If you want to amp up rice, cook it in stock instead of water. It takes the dish from just okay to amazing.

can I make vegetable stock from scraps?

Of course! You can absolutely make vegetable stock from scraps! That’s one of the great things about living a zero waste lifestyle — using every resource you already have available.

how do I make vegetable stock cubes?

If you end up with leftover vegetable stock that you want to save, no problem! Turn it into vegetable stock cubes by freezing it. After making your vegetable stock from scraps, divide it into ice cube trays and freeze. When you are ready to use it, thaw as many cubes as you need in the fridge or toss them right into your soup pot!

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No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe - Going Zero Waste (2024)

FAQs

No Fail Vegetable Stock Recipe - Going Zero Waste? ›

vegetable stock from scraps

Is making vegetable stock wasteful? ›

By making your own stock from scraps, you'll save money by using the bits of veggies that you might otherwise discard – plus you know exactly what's gone into your stock.

What veggie scraps not to use for stock? ›

Vegetables to avoid: Scraps from the following vegetables are better off going into the compost bin, as their flavors can be too overpowering: cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, rutabagas, artichokes.

What not to put in vegetable stock? ›

Some vegetables that don't do well in stock are:
  1. Leafy green parts of carrots and celery.
  2. Brassicas, including cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, rutabagas, collard greens, kohlrabi, and kale.
  3. Artichokes.
  4. Beets.
  5. Potatoes and sweet potatoes.
  6. Squash flesh, including winter squash and zucchini.
Apr 10, 2024

What two types of vegetables should be avoided in stocks? ›

Avoid bitter greens and members of the brassica family (kale, cabbage, Bok Choy). Other greens can be used in small quantities. Good in small quantities (no more than 1/5 of the stock ingredients). Foods in the Brassica family, such as kohlrabi, are too strong for stock/broth and can impart a bitter taste.

What scraps can I use for vegetable stock? ›

Saving Vegetable Scraps for Stock

Vegetables that add sweetness include carrots, parsnips, golden beets, fennel, corn cobs, pea pods, and leftovers of previously roasted vegetables. Vegetables that contribute savory bass notes include onions, leek tops, mushroom stems, spinach, chard, squash peels.

Why discard vegetables after making stock? ›

Obviously, the vegetables left over from the broth will no longer be very tasty, but they can be reused to prepare other excellent dishes. Don't throw them away, because you can do some creative recycling with them.

Should I put potato peels in my vegetable stock? ›

Save those vegetables that may have lost their crunchy appeal for a flavorful veggie stock. Even if stored properly, celery and carrots may become floppy after some time, but don't let them go to the compost. Throw in your onion skins, potato peels, and other veggie scraps from cooking to add more flavor to the mix!

Should potatoes go in vegetable stock? ›

Vegetables to Avoid When Making Vegetables Stock

Starchy vegetables like potatoes and turnips will make for a gummy, cloudy vegetable stock. Beets overpower their aromatic counterparts. Zucchini and greens beans become bitter when slowly simmered for as long it takes to make this stock.

When to put ginger in stock? ›

Once the stock is clean and there's nothing left to skim, you can now add ginger, green onion, and garlic. Continue to cook for 3–6 hours (or you can pressure cook for 40–45 minutes).

Do tomatoes go in vegetable stock? ›

In an 8 quart pot, sauté onions, mushrooms, and celery in a little olive oil for 15 minutes or until lightly carmelized. Add carrots, leeks, garlic, tomato, apple, parsley, bay leaves, basil, peppercorns, salt, dulse flakes and water. Bring to a gentle boil.

What is the difference between vegetable broth and vegetable stock? ›

Vegetable stock likely comes unseasoned, while broth usually contains salt and other seasonings. Vegetable stock is made with untrimmed, sometimes whole vegetables, while broth is made from trimmed, roughly chopped vegetables.

Is lemon good in vegetable stock? ›

Add bright, fresh flavor to vegetable broth

To brighten any soup, stock, or broth, a splash of lemon juice or vinegar is always a good idea. A splash of white wine is never a bad thing either, but stay away from anything too oak-y, and simmer the broth for a few minutes to give the wine a chance to get comfortable.

What should you not put in stock? ›

Steer clear of any member of the brassica family; broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage among others. These will ruin your stock with a sulphurous and bitter flavour. Softer vegetables such as potatoes or pumpkin are no good as they break down too easily, creating a cloudy stock.

What to not put in stock? ›

Avoid bitter greens and members of the brassica family (kale, cabbage, Bok Choy). Other greens can be used in small quantities. Good in small quantities (no more than 1/5 of the stock ingredients). Foods in the Brassica family, such as kohlrabi, are too strong for stock/broth and can impart a bitter taste.

Why is my homemade vegetable broth bitter? ›

Turnips and radishes. While you can toss in the tops of most produce, there are some root veggies she recommends leaving out. "Stay away from some of those really bitter root vegetables, like turnips and radishes," says Jawad. They can ruin the balance of your stock, making it come out very bitter.

Is homemade vegetable stock healthy? ›

Vegetable broth contains iron that helps to stimulate the formation of red blood cells, helping to avoid anemia, increase energy levels, and avoid tiredness. Homemade broth helps to manage body metabolism, optimizing nutrient absorption, and resulting in a lighter feeling.

What are the benefits of making your own vegetable stock? ›

If you buy vegetable stock, you'll likely get a product with a lot of sodium but not a lot of flavor. By making your own stock, you can control the amount of sodium and create an incredibly flavorful base for soups, stews, risottos, and other dishes that call for stock as the primary cooking liquid.

Why are vegetable stocks not true stocks? ›

The answer is that vegetable stock is not a true stock, but it is used in the same way - as a base for other recipes. The only real difference between vegetable stock and vegetable broth is that vegetable stock is kept unseasoned and neutral in flavour, while broth should be well seasoned.

Is making chicken stock wasteful? ›

HOMEMADE CHICKEN STOCK

It reduces food waste and makes for an easy way to have fresh chicken stock available whenever you need it. In a large stockpot, combine the chicken carcass, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil.

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