How To Make Vegetable Broth (Instant Pot)

Updated: Oct 15th, 2022 · By Bethany Kramer
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

The easiest homemade vegetable broth that is filled with so much flavor and is quick to make! Make in an instant pot, slow cooker, or regular pot to make. A great recipe to utilize extra vegetable scraps or frozen vegetables you need to use up. You’ll never use store-bought vegetable broth again after trying this recipe!

Mason jars of homemade vegetable broth against a white background.

One thing that is always in my pantry is veggie stock/broth! I use it in SO many recipes that it’s a must to have on hand at all times. But whenever I can, I make homemade broth and oh my my, is it so much more flavorful and fresh than anything I could buy at the grocery store.

And guess what? It’s so easy to make. Just add a bunch of random veggies and herbs to a pot or instant pot, and let it simmer. That’s it! And I know one thing’s for sure – I am not the only one with veggies in my fridge that are on the verge of expiring. This recipe is perfect for utilizing random herbs and veggie scraps that we have no need for! Nothing goes to waste which is always a WIN. 

Now, let’s stop talking so we can get those veggies simmering.

Ingredients You’ll Need

As I note below, you can add so many veggies to make a stock/broth. For this recipe I used these vegetables:

  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Celery leaves
  • Onion
  • Herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary)
  • Salt & Pepper

How to Make Vegetable Broth

Step by step photos showing how to make vegetable stock.

  1. First, fill your instant pot/slow cooker with all your ingredients – vegetables and herbs.
  2. Then add max amount of water needed to fit into your slow cooker – I used 11 cups of water. Turn pressure cooker setting on 30 minutes or use your slow cooker setting on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 5 hours.
  3. Last, set up a pot with a strainer over it. Carefully pour vegetables into strainer and fill pot with broth. Season with salt to taste if needed.

Making Vegetable Broth with Veggie Scraps

Broth’s are great recipes to make with any vegetable scraps that you have. A great way to keep ave vegetable ends that you wouldn’t use in salads ect, like carrot heads, peelings, ends of celery, or celery leaf’s. You can add these with whole vegetables to broth or make your broth completely with vegetable scraps if you have enough.

Extra Recipe Tips & FAQs

  • Depending on how big your slow cooker or instant pot is will depend on how much broth you can make. This is the multi-cooker I used for this recipe. Adjust water measurement as needed.
  • Use celery leaves and freeze them in a ziplock bag for broth in the future. The leaves of celery are packed with flavor and can be used just like an herb in this broth.
  • How to properly store: let broth cool to room temperature and seal in mason jars to store in refrigerator. For freezing, store in ziplock bags.
  • What other veggies can I add to broth? You can add more flavor by using different extra vegetables and herbs on hand like, mushrooms (dried or fresh), garlic, bay leaves, leeks, and parsley.

Recipes to Make With Vegetable Broth

Mason jars of homemade vegetable broth against a white background.

How To Make Vegetable Broth

5 from 3 votes
The easiest homemade vegetable broth that is filled with so much flavor and is quick to make! Make in an instant pot, slow cooker, or regular pot to make. A great recipe to utilize extra vegetable scraps or frozen vegetables you need to use up. You'll never use store-bought vegetable broth again after trying this recipe. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Serves 10 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 large yellow onions
  • 4 carrots
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1/2 cups celery leaves
  • 11 cups water
  • 1 tbsp (each) rosemary, thyme, sage
  • 1/2 tsp salt & pepper

Instructions

  • Chop vegetables roughly. In a slow cooker/instant pot - add all vegetables, herbs, and water. See notes for water amount - this will depend on how much your pot can hold. 
  • Pressure cooker: Set on HIGH for 30 minutes then steam. 
    Slow cooker: Set on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 5+ hours.
    Stovetop: Simmer for 1 or more hours. 
  • When broth is done, set up a strainer in a large pot. Pour vegetables and broth into strainer to drain broth. 
  • Let broth come to room temperature - store in the refrigerator in mason jars or freeze in ziplock bags. 

Notes

Tips
  • Depending on how big your slow cooker or instant pot is will depend on how much broth you can make. This is the multicolor I used for this recipe. Adjust water measurement as needed. 
  • Save celery leaves and freeze in a ziplock bag. The leaf of celery is packed with flavor and can be used just like an herb in this broth. 
  • How to properly store: let broth cool to room temperature and seal in mason jars to store in refrigerator. For freezing, store in ziplock bags.
Course Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword homemade vegetable broth, how to make vegetable broth, vegetable broth

Nutrition

Serving: 136grams | Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.2g | Protein: 0.9g | Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 53.8mg | Vitamin A: 1450IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg

Join my email list

Let's stay in touch! Get updates when I post something new, cooking tips, and more! No spam.

Leave a Comment & Rating

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  • J Lolo says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! Fall is the time for soups, and this is the best for homemade broth as my base. Thanks Bethany

  • Brent Eamer says:

    What about yellow beans? I’ve picked some late this summer and they are a bit long in the tooth for fresh eating

  • Linda says:

    I have the large strainer that fits in my 6 quart IP. Can I just put veggies in that and then pour water into IP and cook with strainer. Then I just need to lift the strainer out and will be left with just the broth.

    • Vanessa Bartlett says:

      Yes definitely. It helps with the straining at the end. No need to. Pull up steamer basket and voila, painless broth left. I do it all the time.

  • sheenam @ thetwincookingproject says:

    Perfect! It is easier than I thought 😀

  • Sara says:

    5 stars
    I would have never even thought to do this. Seriously. IP Veggie broth is a genius idea. I am headed to the market tomorrow to stock up on the end of season veggies and will absolutely be trying this!

    • Bethany Kramer says:

      It really is so easy! I always have veggies that need to be used up so it’s perfect for that. 🙂

  • Gunjan says:

    5 stars
    Perfect timing. I have been searching for a good vegetable broth recipe. This is up on my list to do this weekend.