I love making my own homemade seasonings. By making your own celery salt, curry powder, taco seasoning, and more, you can be in control of the ingredients you use while you save money over buying pre-mixed containers at the store.
While I am quite the fan of stock and just made homemade turkey stock a few weeks ago, I am trying to be balanced and I do not always have time to make stock, nor can I justify the expense of purchasing boxed stock all the time. However, I am considering it. This is one area of my family's menu planning where I am still sorting out what to do.
This is, instead, a recipe for your own vegetable broth mix.
In my mother's pantry there were those terrible little fake orange colored vegetable broth cubes with a plethora of ingredients (including MSG and hydrolyzed lot of stuff) that would make any self-respecting person-in-search-of-a-healthier-lifestyle's hair stand on end.
By the way, many of the following links are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I might make a commission. Your support is much appreciated and helps keep this free resource up and running.
When we moved to Michigan I started purchasing organic vegetable broth cubes and powders by the case in order to save a bit of money while keeping the convenience of the mix.
One day, however, it occurred to me that I could probably make my own broth. In fact, this is how my brain usually works. I look at a food or personal care item and wonder if there might be a way that I could make it myself. Sometimes I am right and I find a great new project. Sometimes I am able to make something myself, but it isn't worth the time or money. Sometimes I'm just stuck with what I can buy.
The vegetable broth mix attempt was a winner, though I must say that I have another idea in mind to make it better and healthier, but it will be awhile before I try it. I will be sure to share the results once I do.
I spent some time and tried a few recipes until I found one that I really liked on cdkitchen.com. It has been in my pantry ever since and I recommend that you put it in yours as well.
You can use this mix not only to make vegetable broth, but also as an all-purpose seasoning. I love it on vegetables, meats, basically anything savory…even on popcorn!
If you would prefer to buy bone broth, here is a great place to but it.
I really prefer to make my own seasonings whenever I can. It allows flexibility and control over the ingredient proportions but also has you keeping fewer raw ingredients in your pantry.
You'll also use your spices up more quickly, so they're less likely to go stale.
You can also take advantage of bulk discounts by purchasing your spices in larger quantities, knowing that you will be using them up more quickly. Read my post on Homemade Seasoning Blends to find out more.
What You Will Need:
- Celery Salt (see Homemade Celery Salt and How to Use It)
- Dried Parsley Flakes
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Ground Savory (use summer savory — not the winter variety. If necessary, you can substitute thyme, marjoram, or sage)
- Dried Marjoram
- Dried Thyme
- Pepper
- Turmeric
- Ground Sage
Tips:
1. Store a small measuring teaspoon in your container so that you are not continually washing a rewashing the same spoon as I use this mixture so often. (See my post on saving time with tools for more ideas for your spoons!)
2. Make this in 2-3 batches at a time. Again, saves preparation time.
3. Here's how to make Homemade celery salt.
4. If you can't find savory, you can try subbing thyme or thyme plus a little rosemary. I haven't tried it but I've read it's a decent substitution.
5. Where do I buy my spices? Most of my spices are Frontier brand.
Vegetable Broth Mix Recipe | All-Purpose Seasoning
This Vegetable Broth Mix Recipe has none of the additives of store bought cubes and packets. Plus it's a great All-Purpose Homemade Seasoning to boot!
Ingredients
- 4 T celery salt (See Homemade Celery Salt and How to Use It)
- 4 T dried parsley flakes
- 2 T garlic powder
- 2 T salt
- 2 T ground savory (use summer savory -- not the winter variety. If necessary, you can substitute thyme, marjoram, or sage.)
- 2 tsp dried marjoram
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground sage
Instructions
- Combine all in a small bowl. Store in glass or plastic container with a tight fitting lid. Stir or shake occasionally before use to redistribute ingredients.
- Use 1 tsp mix plus one cup of water to make 1 cup of broth in a recipe. You may substitute this for chicken broth/bouillon in recipes as well. 1 tsp is the equivalent of 1 bouillon cube.
If you enjoy the thought of making your own seasonings, check out my posts on Chat Masala and Homemade Taco Seasoning too.
Do you have a favorite spice you would like me to create recipe for or a recipe that you would like to share?
Raz says
Hello! I live in Japan and I am wondering if I could make homemade vegetable broth.
There is no majorum or celery seeds in my supermarket, so I wonder what are good replacements?
There are many other spices such as thyme, sage, rosemary, etc.
Adrienne says
Hello there! I used to live in Japan! Konnichi wa! Oregano is a pretty good sub for the marjoram. Caraway or Dill might be good options for the celery seed but not sure – it’s going to give a much different taste. You might opt for parsley in my opinion.
Missy mi says
I’ve had a lot of luck with grinding down freeze dried veggies as well, and adding similar herbs and spices to your blend. Carrot, onion, bell pepper, celery and even tomato go really well. You don’t get a clear broth, so I do homemade pressure cooker broth for soups that have that, but in a split pea soup or something, this is an absolute winner.
Allergychick says
This is a fantastic recipe and completely replaces broth! All vegan broths/cubes contain salt and preservatives that are corn derived, which I am highly allergic to. I am also allergic to celery, so I modified your recipe and wanted to share this with you.
In lieu of celery salt, I use:
*1 tablespoon extra fine sea salt
*2 tablespoons RAW organic CARROT POWDER
*2 teaspoons organic ground onion powder
*1 teaspoon organic ground Mace ( found at Whole foods, I haven’t used the ebtire 6 teaspoon box in 8 months, so it was worth not paying shipping).
Most vegan cubes contain carrot and mace. Mace adds depth that is missing due to lack of celery. Carrot just tastes BETTER in broth, so that was a no brainier for me. I personally like onion powder and use it a LOT, so I added it to the reipe. Your recipe is fantastic and can be purchased from frontier ( except savoury) and frugal. I followed in suit and purchased 5pound bag raw organic CARROT POWDER, onion powder in bulk and that tiny amount of mace… I tried one broth bowl without the mace before I added it, and it really kicked up the depth.
Thank you!!! No more anaphylaxis and I can enjoy a nice bowl of broth or make all my lovely soups again ?
Adrienne says
So great – thank you for sharing!!!!
Jan Cowger says
Do you have a new and updated version of this recipe for veggie broth mix?
Thank you.
Adrienne says
No, I don’t. Is there something you think should be updated?
ThatGuy says
[quote]The vegetable broth mix attempt was a winner, [b]though I must say that I have another idea in mind to make it better and healthier[b], but it will be awhile before I try it. [b]I will be sure to share the results once I do.[/b][/quote]
Adrienne says
Thanks. Please do share.
TRICIA says
Hello Adrienne.
I was wondering do you have a recipe you can share for BONE BROTHS?
yes im vegetarian but im interested in the broths for healing thank u
Adrienne says
Yes, this post should help. https://wholenewmom.com/recipes/how-to-make-bone-broth-chicken-broth-recipe/
JHutch says
Love your blog and this recipe, however the 6 tsp in this recipe makes me question my cooking and math skills. 2 T may be easier! 😉
Adrienne says
Thanks for the kind words. I’m not sure why I did that….it was a very old post. Probably just multiplied it out and didn’t think about it. Changed :).