Clear Vegetable Consommé
A luminous, nutrient-rich soup made from simmered vegetable scraps, herbs, and bones, clarified to a crystal-clear broth that tastes like sunshine. This french-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 485 minutes pairs carrot peels and ends, celery stalks, onion skins for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 40 calories and feeds 8, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups carrot peels and ends
- 2 cups celery stalks
- 1 cup onion skins
- 4 whole garlic cloves
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 cup fresh parsley stems
- 2 lbs whole chicken bones
- 8 cups water
- 1 tbsp salt
- 10 black peppercorns
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large stockpot, combine 2 lbs chicken bones, 2 cups carrot scraps, 2 cups celery stalks, 1 cup onion skins, 4 garlic cloves, 4 thyme sprigs, 1 cup parsley stems, 1 tbsp salt, and 10 peppercorns. Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Cook uncovered for 6-8 hours, adding more water as needed to maintain liquid level.
- Step 3: Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl, then chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours. Skim off the fat that solidifies on the surface. Reheat before serving, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Clear Vegetable Consommé take to make?
Total time is about 485 minutes (5 min prep + 480 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 Vegetable Consommé?
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 carrot peels and ends from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Clear Vegetable Consommé?
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 Vegetable Consommé for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Vegetable Consommé 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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
