Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Fresh Thyme

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

About the author — is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. She sets the technique templates and dietary-tag rules this AI-assisted recipe is built from and directs the Test Kitchen's sampled cook-through checks — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed. Full author profile →

A deeply flavorful, aromatic broth made with seasonal vegetables and garden herbs, ideal for soups or risotto. This French-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs carrots, celery stalks, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 30 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 8 French cuisine 30 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel and dice 4 carrots into 1/2-inch pieces, chop 3 celery stalks into 1-inch pieces, and quarter 1 large yellow onion.
  2. Step 2: Place all vegetables, 1/4 cup fresh thyme sprigs, 2 bay leaves, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large pot, then add 8 cups filtered water.
  3. Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface, and cook uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Fresh Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Fresh Thyme?

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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Fresh Thyme?

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 Fresh Thyme 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.

What goes well with Slow-Simmered Vegetable Broth with Fresh Thyme?

French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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