Clear Sky Broth

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A delicate, transparent soup inspired by the clarity of light, infused with subtle herbal and vegetable notes. This French-inspired quick recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs carrots, celery stalks, onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 40 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 French cuisine 40 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel and dice 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 onion, and 1 small leek into 1/4-inch pieces. Rinse the leek thoroughly to remove any dirt.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot, add 6 cups water, 1/2 cup white wine, 1 tbsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  3. Step 3: Add the prepared vegetables and let simmer for 45 minutes, skimming any foam that rises to the surface.
  4. Step 4: Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the vegetables to extract maximum flavor. Serve warm in clear, shallow bowls.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Clear Sky Broth take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (10 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Clear Sky Broth?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep carrots from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Clear Sky Broth?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Clear Sky Broth for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Clear Sky Broth vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying