Garlic Broth
Description
This robust garlic broth is a versatile vegetarian alternative to traditional chicken or meat stocks. By simmering whole heads of garlic with aromatic vegetables like onions, leeks, carrots, and celery, you create a deeply flavorful liquid with a smooth, savory profile. The addition of herbs such as parsley, thyme, and bay leaf adds complexity, while the potato helps thicken the texture slightly. Perfect for using as a base for bean soups, risottos, or stews, this broth brings a comforting, home-style warmth to any dish. It is simple to prepare using pantry staples and scales easily for meal prep, offering a healthy and delicious foundation for numerous culinary creations.Ingredients
Directions
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Peel the garlic heads, separating them into individual cloves but keeping the papery skin on each clove if desired, or peeling completely for a cleaner stock.
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Place 1 cup of water in a large stockpot over high heat.
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Add the garlic cloves, sliced onion, and sliced leeks to the pot.
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Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
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Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.
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Add the remaining water, celery, carrots, quartered potato, parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, and black peppercorns to the pot.
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Bring the broth back to a boil.
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Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, partially covering the pot.
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Simmer uncovered or partially covered for 1 hour, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
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Remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly.
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Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean container, pressing firmly on the vegetables to extract as much liquid as possible.
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Season the strained broth with salt to taste.
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Allow the broth to cool to room temperature before storing.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 149.0kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 0.5g1%
- Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 17.0mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 33.0g11%
- Dietary Fiber 2.1g9%
- Sugars 1.0g
- Protein 6.4g13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Storage: Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Usage: This broth is an excellent vegetarian substitute for chicken or meat stock. Use it as a base for bean soups, vegetable stews, risottos, or to cook grains like rice and quinoa for added flavor.
Tip: Leaving the skin on the garlic cloves while simmering can add a subtle smoky depth, but peeling them results in a cleaner, more intense garlic flavor. Adjust based on preference.
Variation: For a richer flavor, you can roast the garlic heads and onions in the oven at 400F (200C) for 30-40 minutes before adding them to the pot.