Ycaroh Kitchen Blog

Vegetable Stock: The Heart of Plant-Based Cooking

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

1 hour

Total Time

1 hour 15 minutes

Servings

4 quarts

Yield

4 quarts

Calories

Approximately 20 calories per cup.
Step into a world where the humblest roots and greens transform into a golden elixir — vegetable stock. This isn’t just any stock; it’s a carefully simmered blend of vegetables, herbs, and spices, each contributing their unique flavors to create a harmonious base that’s both light and deeply satisfying. Ideal for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, this stock is the backbone of countless recipes, lending depth and complexity to soups, stews, sauces, and grains. Crafting this vegetable stock is an act of love, a simple process that invites you to infuse your meals with nutrition and flavor. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned chef, making your own vegetable stock is a rewarding endeavor that pays dividends in taste and health. Crafting your own vegetable stock is a journey back to the basics of cooking, where each ingredient plays its part in creating something greater than the sum of its parts. This recipe is a celebration of vegetables, a testament to the power of simplicity, and a crucial staple in the kitchen that opens the door to healthier, more flavorful cooking. Whether you’re preparing a hearty stew or a delicate sauce, this vegetable stock will bring a touch of homemade goodness to your table, inviting you to savor the richness of nature’s bounty in every spoonful.

Ingredients

  • 2 large onions, quartered (no need to peel)
  • 2 large carrots, chopped into large pieces
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped into large pieces
  • 1 small leek, cleaned and chopped (optional)
  • 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • A small bunch of fresh parsley
  • A few sprigs of thyme
  • 2 quarts of cold water
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine onions, carrots, celery, leek (if using), garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, parsley, thyme, and water in a large stockpot.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 1 hour, uncovered.
  3. Occasionally skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.
  4. After simmering, strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or pot, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
  5. Season the stock with salt to taste.
  6. Allow the stock to cool before refrigerating or freezing. Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Tips & Tricks

  • Save vegetable scraps (like carrot peels, onion ends, and celery leaves) in your freezer to use in making stock.
  • For a deeper flavor, roast the vegetables in the oven until lightly caramelized before simmering.
  • Cool the stock quickly by placing the bowl in an ice-water bath before refrigerating.
  • Freeze in ice cube trays or small containers for easy, portioned use in future recipes.

Mise en Place

Ingredients

Utensils

  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Leek (optional)
  • Garlic
  • Black peppercorns
  • Bay leaves
  • Parsley
  • Thyme
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Large stockpot
  • Fine-mesh sieve
  • Large bowl or pot
  • Spoon or ladle for skimming

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