Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Carrots and Celery
A fragrant, low-FODMAP broth simmered with carrots and celery, perfect for sipping or cooking bases. This french-inspired whole30 (low-sodium) ready in about 70 minutes pairs stalks (sliced, about 1 cup) celery, (quartered, about 1 cup) onion, (crushed) garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 50 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, about 1 cup) carrots
- 3 stalks (sliced, about 1 cup) celery
- 1 (quartered, about 1 cup) onion
- 2 cloves (crushed) garlic
- 1 tsp (fresh) thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 4 sliced carrots, 3 sliced celery stalks, 1 quartered onion, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tsp fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf in a large pot.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer 60 minutes.
- Step 4: Strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, discarding solids; season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Carrots and Celery take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (10 min prep + 60 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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Carrots and Celery?
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 (crushed) garlic from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Carrots and Celery?
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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Carrots and Celery for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Carrots and Celery low-sodium?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-sodium based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
