Garlic Broth

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.

Cooking Method: Boiling, Stewing

Cuisine: American

Courses: Soups

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 1

Calories: 149.0

Dietary: Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

2 1/2 quart Water
4 Garlic Heads
1 Onion, sliced 1/2" thick
2 Leeks, sliced 1/2" thick
2 Celery stalks, sliced 1/2" thick
2 Carrots, sliced 1/2" thick
1 Potato, unpeeled, quartered
6 Parsley sprigs
4 Thyme sprigs
1 Bay leaf
3/4 tsp Black peppercorns
Salt, to taste

Directions

1
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.
2
Place 1 cup of water in a large stockpot over high heat.
3
Add the garlic cloves, sliced onion, and sliced leeks to the pot.
4
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
5
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.
6
Add the remaining water, celery, carrots, quartered potato, parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, and black peppercorns to the pot.
7
Bring the broth back to a boil.
8
Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, partially covering the pot.
9
Simmer uncovered or partially covered for 1 hour, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
10
Remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly.
11
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean container, pressing firmly on the vegetables to extract as much liquid as possible.
12
Season the strained broth with salt to taste.
13
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.

Keywords: garlic broth, vegan stock, vegetable stock, garlic soup base, herbal broth, simmered garlic, plant-based, homemade stock, aromatic vegetables, comfort food, meal prep, healthy cooking, flavor base, leek and onion, herb infused, low calorie, dairy free, gluten free

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/garlic-broth/