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Five quart containers of homemade broth are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Celery, carrots, and apple are laid out surrounding the containers.

Prevent or Fix Bitter Vegetable Broth

Learn ingredients to use (or avoid) to make the best-tasting homemade vegetable broth, plus easy ways to fix or save bitter broth to reduce bitterness!
5 from 7 votes
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Ingredients
  

DO use earthy, sweet, flavorful ingredients like:

  • sweet onion
  • carrots (grated/shredded carrot is especially good at adding sweet flavors)
  • mushrooms
  • red bell pepper
  • tomatoes
  • herbs
  • garlic
  • salt

AVOID these bitter ingredients (or use minimally)

  • onion skins
  • peppercorns
  • bitter leafy greens
  • tough or woody herb stems
  • tough celery greens
  • more than 2 bay leaves
  • brassica/cabbage family trimmings

Instructions
 

Tips While Cooking Broth

  • Grate or shred sweet ingredients (like carrot) to increase surface area and sweet flavors.
  • For an even deeper, richer, sweeter broth flavor: roast or saute the vegetables in olive oil or butter before they go into the pot with water.
  • Do not overcook the vegetable broth. Simmering for 45 minutes to an hour is plenty.
  • Stop and taste test the broth after it’s been simmering for about 25 to 30 minutes. Then, if you need to make any adjustments or “fixes” – you have plenty of time to do so!

How to Fix Bitter Broth (Reduce or Get Rid of Bitterness)

  • Add apples! Grate and add one sweet apple (e.g. gala, pink lady, fuji, golden delicious) for every 2-3 quarts of bitter broth in the pot. After adding grated apple, allow the broth to simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes to sweeten up.
  • If you don’t have any apples on hand, add a little sugar instead. Start with a small amount (no more than ½ tsp per quart of broth) and then taste and adjust as needed.
  • Tomato paste is sweet and acidic, and will also help reduce bitterness in vegetable broth.
  • Enhance umami flavors with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or dollop of creamy miso paste. I recommend mixing miso paste with a small amount of hot water to fully dissolve it before adding it to the broth.
  • Add a splash of red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice - about ½ tsp per 2 quarts of broth - but after the broth is done cooking and removed from the heat.
Keyword fix bitter broth, homemade vegetable broth, reduce bitterness broth
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