Vegan Chicken Broth Recipe for Rich and Savory Flavor

There’s something truly comforting about a warm bowl of broth, especially when it’s homemade and bursting with flavor. For those embracing a plant-based lifestyle or simply looking to avoid animal products, finding a rich and savory vegan chicken broth can be a game-changer.

This vegan chicken broth recipe offers all the depth and heartiness of traditional chicken broth, without any animal ingredients, making it perfect for soups, stews, risottos, and even cooking grains.

Using simple, wholesome vegetables, herbs, and spices, you’ll create a broth that’s not only delicious but also nourishing. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just experimenting with plant-based cooking, this recipe is easy to follow and yields a versatile broth that you can customize to your taste.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way to reduce food waste by using vegetable scraps you might otherwise toss. Ready to dive into this flavorful vegan staple?

Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich and Flavorful: Despite being entirely plant-based, this broth has a deep umami flavor that mimics the savory notes of traditional chicken broth. Perfect for enhancing any dish!

Easy to Make: With common kitchen ingredients and minimal prep, you can have fresh broth ready in under an hour.

Customizable: Feel free to adjust herbs and vegetables based on what you have on hand or your preferred flavor profile.

This recipe is a pantry staple for anyone who loves cooking with wholesome ingredients and wants to keep things vegan, healthy, and delicious.

Ingredients

Equipment

• Large stockpot or heavy-bottomed pot (at least 6 quart capacity)
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or ladle
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Storage containers for broth (optional: glass jars or freezer-safe containers)

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: Wash and roughly chop the carrots, celery, and onion. Crush the garlic cloves lightly to release their aroma.
2. Toast the mushrooms: In your stockpot over medium heat, add the dried shiitake mushrooms and toast them for about 2 minutes. This step enhances their umami flavor.
3. Add the vegetables and aromatics: Toss in the chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, fresh thyme, parsley stems, and whole peppercorns. Stir gently to combine.
4. Add water and bring to a simmer: Pour in the 8 cups of water and increase the heat until the mixture just starts to simmer. Avoid boiling vigorously, as this can make the broth cloudy.
5. Simmer gently: Reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This long simmer extracts flavors fully from the vegetables and herbs.
6. Season the broth: Stir in the nutritional yeast and soy sauce or tamari (if using). Add salt to taste, but start with a small amount as you can always add more later.
7. Strain the broth: Remove the pot from heat and carefully strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or another pot. Discard the solids.
8. Cool and store: Let the broth cool to room temperature before transferring to storage containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Tips & Variations

Tip: Save your vegetable scraps (onion skins, carrot peels, celery leaves) in a freezer bag to use for broth-making later. It’s a fantastic way to reduce waste and enhance flavor.

Variation: For a smoky undertone, add a small piece of dried smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke during the simmering stage.

Tip: If you prefer a richer broth, add a small piece of kombu (seaweed) during simmering for extra minerals and umami.

Variation: Experiment with different herbs such as rosemary or sage depending on the dish you plan to use the broth in.

Curious about other delicious vegan recipes? Check out our Vegan Slow Cooker Recipe for Easy, Delicious Meals or try the Veggie Quesadilla Recipe Indian Style Easy & Delicious for a flavorful meal idea!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegan chicken broth is incredibly versatile and can be used in countless recipes. Use it as a base for your favorite soups and stews, or to cook grains like rice and quinoa for added flavor.

It’s perfect for vegan versions of classic dishes such as risotto, noodle soups, and casseroles. Try pairing it with fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables for a nourishing bowl.

For a quick meal, combine the broth with noodles, tofu, and your favorite veggies.

Want to explore more plant-based recipes that pair well with this broth? Check out our Vegan Flour Tortilla Recipe Easy, Soft, and Homemade or dive into the vibrant flavors of Vegan Cuban Recipes: Delicious Plant-Based Island Flavor.

Conclusion

Making your own vegan chicken broth at home is a simple way to infuse your meals with depth and robust flavor without relying on animal products. This recipe combines wholesome vegetables, savory herbs, and umami-rich ingredients like shiitake mushrooms and nutritional yeast to create a broth that’s both nourishing and satisfying.

Not only does homemade broth enhance your cooking, but it also connects you to the process of creating food from scratch, allowing you to customize flavors and control ingredients. Keep a batch in your fridge or freezer for whenever you need a quick flavor boost in your vegan cooking adventures.

We hope this recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen, inspiring you to explore more delicious vegan creations. For more plant-based inspiration, don’t miss our Vegan Soul Food Recipe Book: Delicious Plant-Based Meal.

Happy cooking!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegan Chicken Broth”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful and hearty vegan broth that mimics traditional chicken broth using vegetables and spices. Perfect as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT45M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “6 cups”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 large onion, chopped”, “3 cloves garlic, smashed”, “2 large carrots, chopped”, “2 celery stalks, chopped”, “1 cup mushrooms, sliced”, “1 teaspoon dried thyme”, “1 teaspoon dried sage”, “1 teaspoon salt”, “1/2 teaspoon black pepper”, “8 cups water”, “2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms; saut\u00e9 for 5-7 minutes until softened.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in thyme, sage, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in water and soy sauce; bring to a boil.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve and discard solids.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Use broth immediately or store in the refrigerator.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “40”, “proteinContent”: “1g”, “fatContent”: “2g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “5g”}}