Homestead Hack: Free Vegetable Broth!

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

I like to use broth for my cooking. Let’s face it – no matter what you’re cooking it’s just more flavorful when it’s made with broth instead of water. 

Want to know how I get vegetable broth for FREE? Check out this ridiculously-easy Homestead Hack…

Broth Replaces Water In Cooking For Delicious Results!

I often replace plain water in recipes with broth. Especially when cooking rice, pasta our soup:

Instant Pot Rice

Spaghetti With Meat Sauce In An Instant Pot

Favorite Soup Recipes

Using broth is more nutritious too! I make my own Chicken Broth from the bones of our chicken meals. 

And I’ve also made Turkey Broth with the leftover turkey carcass after Thanksgiving. 

Of course I’ve simmered veggie scraps into my own vegetable broth too. But there’s an even easier way to get vegetable broth for FREE! 

C’mon y’all, use my battle cry with me: 

“USE WHATCHA GOT!” 

Yeah, that’s the ticket!

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Canned Vegetable Juice Just Wasted?

Whether I’m using home-canned veggies or even purchased cans of vegetables, there’s always lots of juice in the cans and jars. 

Now in my previous don’t-think-ahead days I would have just poured that juice out before preparing the veggies for supper. As a matter of fact I’m embarrassed to admit I did that for years. 

Oh so many years…  What a waste!

Then I had a thumps-forehead moment. This juice is already veggie flavored and packed with nutrients. 

Why don’t I save it for future use??!

Straining The Juice From Cans Of Vegetables 

I can save that vegetable broth and use it instead of buying or making vegetable broth.

That way I’m saving money and food waste at the same time! I find there’s about a half cup of vegetable broth in each can of vegetables. 

So these days when I’m opening a jar or can of vegetables to serve with our supper I strain that juice into a jar instead of just pouring it down the drain. 

That jar is quickly labeled as veggie broth & placed in the freezer for future use. 

Freezing In Plastic Jars vs. Glass Jars

Now although I hate plastic more than the average bear does, I don’t freeze in glass.

Oh yes, many of you have successfully frozen things in glass but it’s not an option for us.

I know all the secrets about proper headspace and straight-necked jars. But it’s just not worth the risk to me.

Our freezer is a chest freezer. One wrong ‘clink’ could cascade tiny glass shards throughout our freezer. 

So until a better solution comes around, I simply save plastic peanut butter jars for freezer broth of all kinds.

We always have those peanut butter jars available anyway. Plus it’s a great way to repurpose them before sending them to the recycle bin.

Save Veggie Juice & Save Money

So there you have it – I’ve been able to take save nutritious veggie juice that was previously wasted and use it for something I used to have to make myself or purchase. 

I use that vegetable broth when I’m making homemade Endless Soup. It also makes a more flavorful end result than using water when cooking rice, potatoes or pasta.

It’s delicious, it’s nutritious and it’s basically FREE! 

I don’t know about you, but my budget really loves free stuff.  🙂

~TxH~

Other Kitchen Hacks

Low Waste Kitchen Tips

• Paper Napkins In A Paperless Kitchen
• Repurposing Mesh Bags For Scrubbers

Food Tips

• List Of Quick Ingredient Substitutions
• Keep That Broccoli Fresh
• Don’t Waste Onion Trimmings
• How To Get Free Vegetable Broth
• Easier Deviled Eggs – No Mess!
• MYO Crispy Taco Shells CHEAP
• Instant Pot Boiled Eggs WITHOUT The Shells
• Sauté & Freeze Onions For Kitchen Convenience
• Heat-Free Way to Peel Tomatoes
• How To Tell If Your Baking Powder Is Still Good
• Make Self-Rising Flour From All Purpose Flour

Kitchen Efficiency Tips

• Make Your Slow Cooker More Efficient
• Kitchen Hack To Make Filling Resealable Bags Easier
• No Cooking Fat Down The Drain
• Quick Baking Measurement Reminder System
• Easy Reminder For Kitchen Stove
• Expand Your Muffin Tin Capacity With Canning-Jar Rings
• Less Mess When Measuring Honey
• Easily Opening Those Stubborn Jars
• Sauté & Freeze Onions for Kitchen Convenience
• Roasting Peppers Quickly On Gas Stove Top
• Our Endless Soap Dispenser Setup

Cleaning/Organizing Tips

• Cleaning A Narrow-Neck Jar
• Tame Kitchen Appliance Cords
• Labeling A Glass Jar
• …and many MORE!

See All Homestead Hacks

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