Vegetable Broth Recipe Instant Pot: Easy & Flavorful Guide

There’s something truly satisfying about making your own vegetable broth at home, especially when you can whip it up quickly using an Instant Pot. This homemade broth is a fantastic way to use up leftover veggies and create a flavorful base for soups, stews, risottos, and more.

Unlike store-bought broths, homemade vegetable broth is free from preservatives, excess sodium, and artificial flavors, giving you control over what goes into your cooking. Plus, it’s incredibly budget-friendly and reduces food waste—a win-win for both your kitchen and the planet.

Using the Instant Pot to make vegetable broth speeds up the process significantly without sacrificing the deep, rich flavors that develop during slow simmering. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this recipe will become your go-to for creating a nourishing, versatile broth in less than an hour.

Let’s dive into the details and get you set up to make the best vegetable broth ever!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegetable broth recipe is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick and easy thanks to the Instant Pot, which extracts flavors in a fraction of the time compared to traditional stovetop methods.

The broth is naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it perfect for all dietary preferences.

Moreover, the recipe is highly customizable—you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, from carrots to celery, onions to garlic, and even kitchen scraps like celery leaves and mushroom stems. It’s a fantastic way to reduce waste and add depth to your meals.

Finally, the broth freezes beautifully, so you can make a big batch and have homemade broth ready whenever you need it. Using this broth will elevate your dishes and bring a wholesome, fresh flavor that store-bought versions just can’t match.

Ingredients

• 2 large carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped (including leaves if possible)
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional but adds umami)
• 1 parsnip, peeled and chopped (optional for sweetness)
• 1 small bunch fresh parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 8 cups water
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or a few sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or a few sprigs fresh rosemary

Equipment

• Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Large ladle
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Large bowl or pot for storing broth
• Storage containers or glass jars for freezing

Instructions

1. Prepare your vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Roughly chop the carrots, celery, onion, parsnip, and mushrooms. There’s no need to peel the onion unless you prefer it, but do peel the parsnip.
2. Sauté aromatics (optional): Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Add a tablespoon of oil if you like, then sauté the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened. This step adds extra depth but can be skipped for a lighter broth.
3. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot: Place the chopped vegetables, parsley, bay leaves, peppercorns, thyme, rosemary, salt, and water into the Instant Pot. Stir gently to combine.
4. Seal and pressure cook: Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure.
5. Natural pressure release: Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 15 minutes. After that, carefully switch the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
6. Strain the broth: Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the broth into a large bowl or pot. Press the vegetables gently to extract as much liquid as possible.
7. Cool and store: Let the broth cool to room temperature before transferring it to storage containers. You can refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Tips & Variations

“Feel free to customize your broth with whatever vegetables and herbs you have on hand. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes, which can cloud your broth.”

• Add more umami: Toss in dried shiitake mushrooms or a strip of kombu seaweed for a richer flavor.
• Use vegetable scraps: Save onion skins, carrot ends, and celery leaves in a freezer bag to build flavor over time.
• Spice it up: Add a small cinnamon stick or star anise for a subtle warming note.
• Make it spicy: For a hint of heat, add a small piece of dried chili or a pinch of crushed red pepper.
• Reduce sodium: Skip adding salt during cooking and season your finished dish instead.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegetable broth is a versatile kitchen staple that you can use in countless ways. It serves as an excellent base for homemade soups like vegetable minestrone or lentil stew.

Try it as the cooking liquid for grains such as quinoa or rice to infuse extra flavor.

Use it in sauces, risottos, or to deglaze pans for a lighter, healthier alternative to heavy cream or butter. This broth also pairs wonderfully with recipes like the Vegan Chipotle Bowl Recipe for a Flavorful Healthy Meal or the Cheap Vegetarian Recipes For Families Everyone Will Love, adding a nutritious punch.

Conclusion

Making your own vegetable broth in the Instant Pot is a simple yet rewarding way to enhance your cooking. This recipe not only saves time but also ensures you have a nutritious, flavorful broth without any unnecessary additives.

With just a handful of fresh vegetables and herbs, you can create a rich base that complements a wide array of dishes.

Whether you’re cooking for a family or meal prepping for the week, this broth is a cost-effective and sustainable choice. Plus, it encourages creativity in the kitchen since you can tailor it to your taste and available ingredients.

Don’t forget to explore more delicious and wholesome ideas like those found in our A to Z Vegetarian Recipes for Every Meal and Occasion and Ancient Grains Vegetarian Recipes for Healthy Delicious Meals.

Happy cooking!

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