When it comes to vegetable broth, think beyond soups and have fun adding it to new recipes like pastas, casseroles, grains, gravy and even salad dressing!
We’ve all been in the situation where we open a carton of vegetable broth, use one cup in a recipe, then store it in the fridge and forget to use it again. Sometimes it takes a little creativity to figure out what else to do with that vegetable broth. Sometimes it takes a little experimentation. And sometimes, it just takes practice to become familiar with the many ways you can use vegetable broth.
If you often have this problem like me, check out the 10 different recipes that are perfect for using up vegetable broth. I grouped them into 5 categories: soups, dressings, casseroles, pastas and grains. You’ll never throw out another half used carton of vegetable broth again!
Broth 101
What’s the difference between broth and stock
I used to use the terms broth and stock interchangeably. I thought it was pretty much the same thing – savory liquid made from boiling water with meat, bones, vegetables and/or herbs. But there is a actually a subtle difference between the two. Stock is generally made from bony parts of beef or chicken. But broth is made more out of meat or vegetables only. Stock tends to be richer, while broth tends to be more thin.
How to buy the best broth
I do often make my own vegetable broth from scraps of vegetables and herbs. But that can be time consuming. And that’s where store-bought vegetable broth comes in. All packaged vegetable broth are not created equally. So look for these three cues that you’re buying a good one.
- Minimal: Think about if you were to make vegetable broth at home. What ingredients would you include? Probably onions, carrots, celery and some herbs, and maybe garlic or some seasonings. Bottom line though is to keep the ingredient list simple and short.
- High quality: Avoid any vegetable broths that contain low-quality ingredients that may taste good but aren’t really good for your body. That includes MSG, natural flavor and dehydrated vegetables.
- Organic: I know organic can be tough because of the pricing. But when it comes to broth, the organic one is only about $0.25 more. And that small price difference means it has no GMOs and no pesticides.
My preference
My preferred brand is Imagine. I’ve tried a few varieties and this is why I still come back to Imagine.
- Imagine products are made with real wholesome ingredients that I can pronounce. They’re all organic with no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
- Their products deliver more than just flavor, but also nutrient-packed ingredients. That means instead of flavoring with MSG, they are flavoring with farm-grown vegetables and fresh herbs.
- They use aseptic packaging which preserves the freshness of the broth without giving it that “cartony” taste.
How to use vegetable broth
In soup recipes
Mediterranean White Bean Soup: Try this vegan Mediterranean White Bean Soup for lunch of dinner. It’s a quick gluten free soup recipe that’s filled with vegetables and plant-based protein
In a dressing or gravy
Mediterranean Chopped Salad: Make this Mediterranean Chopped Salad for a large crowd. It’s full of veges, chickpeas, feta cheese and olives and tossed in an oil-free lemon herb dressing
