Vegetable broth – tips for buying and making your own

Vegetable broth is handy to have on hand for making rice dishes, risotto, and soups. It’s convenient to buy at the store but be sure to look carefully at the ingredients.

Some list carrots as the first ingredient and the broth can be orange in color and very sweet. Some manufacturers such as Whole Foods add salt or other flavorings which may not be compatible with your dietary needs.

Making Your Own

Making your own is a great way to control exactly what goes into your pot. Save all your vegetable scraps—onion ends, celery leaves, mushroom stems, and carrot peels—in a bag in the freezer.

When the bag is full, boil them in water with a bay leaf and some peppercorns for about an hour. Strain, and you have a nutritious, custom-built base for your favorite healthy meals.