Homemade Veg Stock
Let’s learn how to make homemade Veg stock at home using veg Scraps. Saves money and no fancy equipment needed.
I heard from a family friend recently that making veg stock along with peeling mounds and mounds of potatoes and onions is one of the first few weeks of training at most culinary schools . I think veg stock (or to non-vegetarians , bone broth or chicken stock) is so versatile both in terms of how it is made, as well as how it is used.
Where all can this Veg Stock be used?
Mostly used in soup / broths, sometimes curries and gravies and biryanis, veg stock is super simple to make (and although I don’t refrigerate it, it stays good for a couple of days in the fridge once made) : Cooking 101 – “Waste Not, Want Not”
5 reasons to make Veg Stock at home
- If you are a soup lover like us, stock base works beautifully. Do check out 21+ varieties of soup ( all vegetarian and mostly vegan and GF) here.
- It requires no special effort to put together, except to carefully wash and store what goes into the broth.
- Pocket friendly
- No additives or preservatives
- Eco-friendly (uses up veg scraps and odds – n – ends that otherwise goes to waste)
My aunt also used to make a version with dal-pani (leftover water after boiling dal in a pot), but my version is simple, takes 20 Mins start to finish and you don’t even need to watch over the pot.
Important points to note before making any stock:
- Carefully wash and drain all the vegetable ends clear of mud or any impurities
- I don’t usually peel any of my veggies (yes incl potatoes for any dish), except on rare occasions. So if you do peel them, make sure they are free of fungus or spores or any other material you would avoid in the first place
- If using vegetable tops (crowns of carrots / radish etc), make sure you wash them really well.
- Your stock needs to be packed with flavour, but make sure you don’t either over salt it or add too many conflicting veggies to make it look and taste weird.
- Addition of whole spices mentioned in the recipe below are totally optional, but it’s what works for me. Feel free to add or omit any that may not suit you / your kitchen preferences
- If refrigerating the stock, bring it to room temperature, and store in glassware / stainless spill proof jars. Use them as quickly as needed.
- Some freeze the stock too – I haven’t tried this method as I prepare fresh stock every time I make a soup. It’s a personal preference, so make those minor changes as you wish.
Prep time – 15 Mins , cook time – 20 Mins , makes ~ 1 litre of veg stock
What you would need to make Homemade Veg Stock
- Veg peel (here I also used trimmed broccoli stems,coriander stalks, few spinach leaves, carrot peels, kohl rabi / knolkohl greens , cabbage stem, etc) – 2 large cups
- Onion – 1 medium (sliced)
- 2.25 litres of clean , filtered water
- Salt – to mildly season
- Turmeric – 1/8 tsp (optional but I like to use it mostly unless am making a clear or creamy white coloured soup)
- Whole spices (adjust to taste) -whole pepper corn, bay leaf, garlic pods, cloves, cumin, coriander seeds
How to make Homemade Vegetable stock from scraps
- Collect all peels, vegetable scraps.
- Wash them free of any dirt / grime in several changes of water
- If any veg scraps has fungus or undetermined dirt, scrap them. Do not use it
- You are always welcome to use fresh veggies too – carrot / celery / garlic / onion work really well, but I have used veg scraps
- Bring a pot to a rolling boil, add the bay leaf, black pepper (and cumin if using – skip if you need a really clear broth) along with the whole spices mentioned.
- After 2-3 mins, add the crushed onions /garlic or any other aromats you are using
- Customise the whole spices based on availability or the flavour you want your stock to have.
- Add the veg scraps to this simmering broth.
- If using instant pot, set to manual 40 mins.
- If using open pot, simmer on high for 10-15 mins.
- Let the veggie scraps, whole spices and aromats seep in for another 10-12 mins
- Strain and use immediately.
- ELse refreigrate and use within 7 days.
PIN FOR LATER
Homemade Veg Stock
How to make homemade Vegetable stock from veg scraps
Equipment
- Soup Pot
- Ladle
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 2 cups Veg Scraps all odds and ends of vegetable scraps
- 1 Onion sliced
- 2.25 litres Filtered Water
- 1 tsp Salt opt.
Aromats
- 1/8 tsp Turmeric opt.
- 1 tsp whole pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 garlic pods
- 3 cloves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
Instructions
- Collect all peels, vegetable scraps.
- Wash them free of any dirt / grime in several changes of water
- If any veg scraps has fungus or undetermined dirt, scrap them. Do not use it
- You are always welcome to use fresh veggies too – carrot / celery / garlic / onion work really well, but I have used veg scraps
- Bring a pot to a rolling boil, add the bay leaf, black pepper (and cumin if using – skip if you need a really clear broth) along with the whole spices mentioned.
- After 2-3 mins, add the crushed onions /garlic or any other aromats you are using
- Customise the whole spices based on availability or the flavour you want your stock to have.
- Add the veg scraps to this simmering broth.
- If using instant pot, set to manual 40 mins.
- If using open pot, simmer on high for 10-15 mins.
- Let the veggie scraps, whole spices and aromats seep in for another 10-12 mins
- Strain and use immediately.
- Else refreigrate and use within 7 days.
Video
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Awesome recipe Kalyani and the video too is really good. I remember learning how to make veg stock from Tarla Dalal book but it was a waste of good vegetables so stopped. I seriously love this idea of using vegetable waste. Definitely going to try this recipe out. You've made the best from waste.
Absolutely love the video, Kakyani! Great recipe.
I love how you have used odds and ends from the kitchen to make this vegetable stock. Your stock sounds so fragrant and flavourful. ll surely be trying out your recipe shortly. 🙂
I also prefer making fresh vegetable stock. Loved the way you have utilised the peels and discarded odds and ends of veggies to make the stock.
The one recipe that I make but never post for by the time I get to taking pictures I am bored. I love the aue of scraps to make stock. In fact my cook keeps them for me without asking now and says she is trained. ;D love the fact that this recipe gets done in 15 minutes. Will definitely try it out
Vegetable stock using peels and ends of the vegetables sounds great. Loved this healthy and delicious stock. One can store it for 3-4 days in refrigerator. Superb share.
Fab recipe Kalyani. Loved the detailed explanation of making such nutritious stock. Awesome video!!
I mostly use fresh stocks in my soups. This is a lovely idea to use most parts of vegetables those we throw away ! Nice video also Kalyani 🙂
awesome video. Best way to use the leftover to make the vegetable stock. Surely going to try this idea soon.
The veg stock came out beautiful following your recipe. The colour of the stock was so nice and the taste was far better than the salty store-bought ones.
that’s awesome to know, Seema ! thanks a ton for ur feedback too!