Spiced Vegetable Broth with Garlic and Thyme
A clear, aromatic vegetable broth simmered with garlic, thyme, and warming spices to provide gentle nourishment during a cold. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegan) ready in about 65 minutes pairs medium, chopped carrots, chopped celery stalks, large, quartered yellow onion 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.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, chopped carrots
- 3, chopped celery stalks
- 1 large, quartered yellow onion
- 5 smashed garlic cloves
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add 1 large quartered yellow onion, 3 chopped medium carrots, and 3 chopped celery stalks. Sauté for 7 minutes until vegetables soften and edges slightly caramelize.
- Step 2: Add 5 smashed garlic cloves, 4 fresh thyme sprigs, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 1 bay leaf to the pot. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 8 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to develop flavor.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl. Discard solids.
- Step 5: Season strained broth with 1 tsp salt, taste and adjust if needed. Serve warm as a restorative drink or base for soups.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Vegetable Broth with Garlic and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 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 Spiced Vegetable Broth with Garlic and 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 medium, chopped carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Vegetable Broth with Garlic and 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 Spiced Vegetable Broth with Garlic and Thyme 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 Spiced Vegetable Broth with Garlic and Thyme vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
