Best 8 Easy Vegetable Stock Recipes

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Stocking up your pantry with homemade vegetable stock is an easy and rewarding way to add depth and flavor to your favorite dishes. This versatile ingredient is a staple in many cuisines, used to prepare everything from soups and stews to sauces and gravies. Made from a variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices, vegetable stock is a treasure trove of nutrients and umami. In this article, we present three delectable recipes for vegetable stock, each with unique flavor profiles to cater to diverse culinary preferences. From the classic Mirepoix-based stock to the aromatic Asian-inspired version and the refreshing Celery-Carrot-Onion stock, these recipes offer a range of options for home cooks of all levels. Unleash your culinary creativity and elevate your dishes with the goodness of homemade vegetable stock.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

QUICK AND EASY VEGETABLE STOCK RECIPE



Quick and Easy Vegetable Stock Recipe image

When making vegetable stock, you only need to simmer it for 30 to 45 minutes to extract the maximum flavor from the veggies and other aromatics.

Provided by Danilo Alfaro

Categories     Ingredient     Soup

Time 1h

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped (skin optional)
1 medium leek , white and green parts; rinsed and chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
1 medium parsnip, chopped
1 medium rib celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 cup white wine
1 gallon cold water
For the Sachet Dépices:
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3 to 4 sprigs parsley
3 to 4 whole black peppercorns

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • In a heavy-bottomed stock pot or soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
  • Lower the heat, add the onion, leek, carrot, celery, parsnip, celery, and garlic, and gently sauté, with the lid on, for about 5 minutes or until the onions are softened and slightly translucent. Don't brown the vegetables, though.
  • Add the wine and reduce until the liquid is about three-fourths evaporated.
  • While the liquid is evaporating, create the sachet d'épices . Combine the bayleaf, thyme, parsley, and black peppercorns in a cheesecloth and tie with butchers twine.
  • Add the water and sachet d'epices and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface, but don't stir or otherwise agitate the stock. Just let it simmer away.
  • Remove from heat, pour through a strainer into another large pot or container. Cool, then refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 46 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 21 mg, Fat 2 g, ServingSize 1 gallon (16 servings), UnsaturatedFat 2 g

EASY VEGETABLE STOCK



Easy Vegetable Stock image

Surprisingly easy to make, this stock is built on basic vegetables that are often already on hand (carrots, onion, leeks), plus a few herbs.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Soups, Stews & Stocks     Soup Recipes

Time 1h

Yield Makes 6 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 leeks, white and pale-green parts only, cut into 1-inch rounds, rinsed well
2 carrots, cut into 1-inch rounds
1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 garlic cloves
8 cups water
5 flat-leaf parsley sprigs
2 thyme sprigs
1 dried bay leaf
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns, crushed

Steps:

  • Cook leeks, carrots, onion, and garlic, covered, stirring occasionally, in a medium saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes.
  • Add water, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Raise heat to high. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined strainer; discard solids.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 20 g, Cholesterol 11 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 47 g

VEGETABLE STOCK



Vegetable stock image

This easy veggie stock recipe should be a staple in any kitchen. The simple stock will add depth of flavour and herby goodness to a range of soups and stews

Provided by Barney Desmazery

Time 2h5m

Yield 1 litre

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 celery sticks , cut into chunks
2 leeks , cut into chunks
2 carrots , cut into chunks
1 onion , skin on, cut into quarters
2 garlic cloves , bashed
1 star anise
5 peppercorns
bouquet garni of 2 parsley stalks, 2 sprigs of thyme and 1 bay leaf, tied with string

Steps:

  • Tip everything into a large saucepan with a pinch of salt then cover with 2 litres of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 2 hours. Pass through a sieve and use for your intended recipe. Will keep in the fridge for a week and for six months in the freezer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 42 calories, Fat 0.1 grams fat, Carbohydrate 2 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 1.7 grams sugar, Fiber 0.3 grams fiber, Protein 0.2 grams protein, Sodium 0.07 milligram of sodium

BASIC VEGETABLE STOCK



Basic Vegetable Stock image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h55m

Yield about 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 large onions, quartered
2 large carrots, quartered, tops reserved
8 large garlic cloves, crushed
2 large leeks, washed, trimmed, tough outer leaves removed
1 large sprig thyme
1 large sprig rosemary
1 bay leaf
6 whole black peppercorns
1 whole clove
3 quarts water

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl toss the oil with onions, carrots, garlic, leeks and arrange them in a roasting pan.
  • Place pan in oven and roast, stirring once, for 45 minutes or until golden brown and tender.
  • In a large saucepan or stock pot combine the roasted vegetables with carrot tops, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, peppercorns, clove and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally for 1 hour or until the broth is reduced to about 8 cups. Strain.
  • Additions for Summer Stock: summer squash, tomatoes, green beans, eggplant, bell peppers, corn cobs, marjoram, oregano, basil.
  • Instead of first roasting vegetables, saute them over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes or until vegetables begin to brown. Complete recipe as above.
  • Additions for Winter Stock: celery root, parsley root, dried sage, mushrooms (both dried or 1 pound fresh).

EASY VEGETABLE STOCK



Easy Vegetable Stock image

Provided by Myra Goodman

Categories     Soup/Stew     Onion     Celery     Carrot     Parsnip     Vegan     Parsley

Yield Makes about 2 qt/2 L

Number Of Ingredients 10

About 10 cups/1.2 kg vegetables comprising the following:
1 large onion (or more), cut into 1- to 2-in/2.5- to 5-cm chunks (or 3 leeks, thickly sliced)
2 to 4 garlic cloves, cut in half (no peeling necessary)
2 to 6 celery stalks (tops OK), cut into 2- to 4-in/5- to 10-cm pieces
2 to 4 carrots, cut into 1- to 2-in/2.5- to 5-cm pieces
1 bunch parsley, and more stems if available (stems are especially flavorful)
1 parsnip, chopped into 1- to 2-in/2.5- to 5-cm pieces (optional)
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
4 to 6 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme

Steps:

  • In a large stockpot, combine the onion, garlic, celery, carrots, parsley, parsnip, peppercorns, bay leaves, and thyme with 4 qt/3.8 L water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover the pot and simmer for another 20 minutes to slightly reduce the stock to intensify the flavor. Remove from the heat and let cool for at least a half hour before straining. The stock can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 1 week and frozen for up to 1 year.

VEGETABLE STOCK



Vegetable Stock image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h45m

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tomatoes
1 onion, peeled
1 leek, trimmed and washed
2 shallots, peeled
4 garlic cloves, peeled
2 celery ribs, washed
1 carrot, trimmed and peeled
1 parsnip, trimmed and scrubbed (optional)
1 fennel bulb (optional)
1 gallon water
1 small bunch parsley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
3 whole cloves garlic
2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons salt, to taste

Steps:

  • Roughly chop all vegetables and place in a large pot. Pour in water to cover and bring to a boil Reduce heat to a simmer, skim and discard impurities from the top. Add the spices. Simmer, uncovered for about 2 hours. Strain and store in the refrigerator up to a week or keep frozen.

BASIC VEGETABLE STOCK



Basic Vegetable Stock image

This is a good basic stock, and is perfect for vegetarians!

Provided by Stan Webber

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Broth and Stock Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion
2 stalks celery, including some leaves
2 large carrots
1 bunch green onions, chopped
8 cloves garlic, minced
8 sprigs fresh parsley
6 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
2 quarts water

Steps:

  • Chop scrubbed vegetables into 1-inch chunks. Remember, the greater the surface area, the more quickly vegetables will yield their flavor.
  • Heat oil in a soup pot. Add onion, celery, carrots, scallions, garlic, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves. Cook over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Add salt and water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Strain. Discard vegetables.
  • Other ingredients to consider: mushrooms, eggplant, asparagus (butt ends), corn cobs, fennel (stalks and trimmings), bell peppers, pea pods, chard (stems and leaves), celery root parings, marjoram (stems and leaves), basil, potato parings . . . Get the idea?

Nutrition Facts : Calories 37.4 calories, Carbohydrate 5.9 g, Fat 1.4 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 226.6 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

EASY PREP VEGETABLE STOCK



Easy Prep Vegetable Stock image

Preparing the vegetables for this stock is so easy that I do it as I'm putting the groceries away. In NZ celery is sold the right way, with all the leaves, so it's too long to go in my veg chiller drawer in the fridge. This stock uses all the top part of the celery, thereby solving a problem and not wasting any good food! It also has the added bonus of making you look like a domestic goddess. It makes about 2.5 litres of stock, which I freeze it small tubs so I always have stock on hand. Prep time is about 3 minutes and the rest is put-your-feet-up cooking time. Couldn't be easier.

Provided by RonaNZ

Categories     Clear Soup

Time 1h33m

Yield 2 1/2 litres

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 head celery
1 bunch parsley
1 bay leaf
1 onion
2 carrots
2 1/2 liters water

Steps:

  • Buy the whole head of celery but use the top half for this stock. Rinse any dirt off the leaves and put in a large stock pot. Any outer stalks that you wouldn't use in cooking can be added as well.
  • Add a whole bunch of parsley and a bay leaf.
  • Trim the roots off the onion and cut in half. Only remove the skins if they are split and dusty, otherwise just leave them on.
  • Cut the tops off the carrots, wash and cut in half lengthways.
  • Add the water and put on to simmer for an hour and a half to two hours.
  • Strain the vegetables. I do this in a colander (not a sieve) and squash the celery to get every last bit of flavour out of it. The stock is still lovely and clear and full of flavour.
  • Note: I don't season this stock since I'm going to use it in another recipe anyway.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 54.5, Fat 0.4, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 144.5, Carbohydrate 11.9, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 6, Protein 1.7

Tips:

  • Use a variety of vegetables: The more variety of vegetables you use, the more flavorful your stock will be. Consider using carrots, celery, onions, garlic, leeks, fennel, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
  • Roast your vegetables: Roasting your vegetables before adding them to the stock will give them a deeper, richer flavor.
  • Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves will add a lot of flavor to your stock. Be sure to remove them before straining the stock.
  • Don't add salt: Salt can be added later on, once you're using the stock in a recipe. Adding salt during the cooking process can make the stock too salty or bitter.
  • Store your stock properly: Vegetable stock can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Be sure to let it cool completely before storing it.

Conclusion:

Making your own vegetable stock is a great way to save money and add flavor to your cooking. It's also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With a little planning, you can easily make a delicious and nutritious vegetable stock that will be perfect for all your cooking needs. So next time you're making soup, stew, or risotto, be sure to use homemade vegetable stock instead of store-bought. You'll be glad you did!

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