Out of veggie broth? This vegetable bouillon powder is your soup mix solution! This fat free, healthy broth substitute is ready in less than 5 minutes so you never need to buy store bought broth again!
Growing up we always used those packaged little bouillon cubes to deliver absolute flavour bombs to our dishes.
Little did we realize that they’re filled with unhealthy ingredients, like sugar, unhealthy fats, and words you can’t even pronounce. Not a good sign!
Homemade vegetable bouillon powder to the rescue!
Why you’ll LOVE this vegetable bouillon powder
- It’s super flavourful, without being overly powerful in any one herb or spice.
- You only need 8 ingredients and about 5 minutes to get this done.
- There’s no fat, no oil, no sugar, no unnatural thickeners and no preservatives. (Unlike most store bought soup mix varieties.)
- This recipe is naturally vegan, naturally gluten free and naturally allergen friendly!
- PLUS, it’s budget friendly too! You can make a LOT of soup mix and just mix it up with water for a fraction of the cost of store bought vegetable broth.
- This soup mix is completely customizable and versatile. Add more or less of any spices you like and use it, not only in soups, but in casseroles, risotto, on a baked potato, in your pasta water and so much more!
- Convenience!! It’s incredibly convenient to have vegetable bouillon powder in your pantry, and just mix it up with water. No carrying heavy cartons of vegetable broth home from the store which are filled with mostly water anyhow.
- It’s environmentally friendly too! How?? You’re saving the planet from a ton of wasted packaging and cartons that you end up throwing away. You can reuse and refill the same jar, over and over!
- And of course, it’s DELICIOUS!
What’s in it?
Okay, we’ve talked about what’s not in this vegetable bouillon powder, so let’s get to what IS in it.
All you need is 8 pantry ingredients, that if you’re anything like me and LOVE flavour, you probably already have most, if not all of them, on hand.
For anyone new to nutritional yeast, you cannot sub for another yeast, or another ingredient at all, for that matter.
Nutritional yeast is a unique ingredient here, and please note that it is a deactivated yeast.
It delivers big flavour and a great deal of nutrients too!
How to make homemade vegetable bouillon powder
(This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Measure out your ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. However, skip the bay leaf if you choose NOT to blend.
OR… (and my preferred way)
Add ALL the ingredients to small blender, or food processor and blitz for 20 seconds or so. (photo 1)
Then transfer to a dry, clean jar or container with lid and store in a cool, dry place like a pantry. (photo 2)
I prefer blending the seasoning into a fine powder as it not only resembles the vegetable bouillon powder you may be accustomed to, but it also distributes the flavours more evenly.
Expert Tips
- For a low sodium vegetable bouillon powder, use half a tablespoon of salt (instead of 2 tbsp) to reduce the sodium by 75 percent.
- If you’re on a NO salt diet, omit the salt entirely.
- Double, triple, quadruple the recipe as desired. I like to make a big batch of soup mix at a time to always have some on hand ready to go for soups, casseroles, veggies, and more.
- Store your soup mix in a CLEAN and DRY jar or container. Store in a cool dark place, like your pantry, or if you live in a humid climate, you may store in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Use your soup mix powder to replace vegetable broth in any recipe. Just combine 1 teaspoon of your blended mixture with 1 cup of hot water for every cup called for.
- If you skip blending into a powder, and mix the seasoning in a bowl, you’ll need about a tablespoon for every cup of hot water. When blended, the spices are more condensed, and 1 teaspoon to every cup of water works well. Of course, use more or less to your taste. Also make sure to omit the bay leaf if you choose to skip the blending.
If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.
Buon appetito,
Rosa
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons sea salt or use 1 tbsp for low sodium option
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed not celery salt
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper optional but recomended
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a small blender or food processor and blitz until a powder like consistency is reached, approx 20 seconds.
- Store in a clean jar or sealed container in your pantry.
- To make broth, combine 1 teaspon of soup mix with 1 cup of hot water.
Bri
Do I need to use something in place of the nutritional yeast if I can’t have gluten? And what can I replace it with, if so?
Rosa
Hi Bri, nutritional yeast is naturally gluten free.
Josie
I used to use fake-chicken cubes from the grocery store. This recipe is easy to make, delicious, and I don’t have to fight with the little pieces of foil around the cubes. A keeper!
Rosa
Thrilled you’re enjoying Josie. Thanks so much for the review. 🙂
Judy
I use this mix in almost everything! Try it in rice, mashed veggies, seasoning for breadcrumbs, add to oil and vinegar. It’s sooo great!
Rosa
Thrilled you’re enjoying Judy! Thanks very much for the review. Love the idea of adding this to breadcrumbs.
Paula
Does bay leave blend well?
Rosa
Hi Paula, yes it does, depending on your appliance. I’ve used a single serve Nutribullet to make small batches and my Vitamix for triple/quadruple batches without an issue. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
Rosemarie
I love your recipes. They always come out great. Look forward to them every day.
Rosa
So flattered Rosemarie, thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Akil
Hi I am from India and don find celery seeds, any substitute?
Rosa
Hi Akil, do you have celery salt? If so, you can use that and reduce the salt. If you can’t find that either, you may omit.
Nan
This is tasty! I just wish I had doubled or tripled the recipe as it doesn’t make very much.
Rosa
Thanks for the review Nan, so glad you’re enjoying! 🙂
Caroline
Amazing! I know you called this a game changer, but I was like hmmm really? Sorry. Call me skeptic but wow you were right!!! I’ll never buy the store stuff again! Thank you!!! 😉
Rosa
Yay! So happy to hear that, thanks for the review. 🙂
Lee Anne Hinsch
Hi Rosa. I just found your site just today and I am loving reading the recipes! Thank you for all your hard work with creating these yummy recipes!
Lee Anne Hinsch
And what REALLY irritates me is…..just yesterday I received an Amazon order for a container of concentrated vegetable broth. And TODAY I find your site and this recipe for vegetable broth powder! I could have saved my self some $$ !! Dang it!
Rosa
Hey Lee Anne, I’m so glad you found me! 🙂
Michelle
I can’t have nutritional yeast. Do you think it would still taste good without the yeast?
Rosa
Yes, it’ll still taste good, but I’d reduce the salt by half to balance out the ratio.
Whitney Margaret Smith
After reading the recipe for the lentil and split pea soup and then the recipe for the bullion, I had an idea my niece could use with her grandson. During Virtual education, he had a lot of time on his hands and loves to help Grandma. The child could make the bullion under supervision. My suggestion would be to use some leftover meat, cut up in the fridge if the kid is young. Let them put the meat in a bowl or cup, add some frozen vegetables or leftover veggies, bullion and water and heat it in a microwave. If onions are desired, dried onions could be added with everything else. I was also thinking some might be added to the boullion. This way the child could have a healthy snack without a lot of adult supervision after the first few times.
Lucy
Love this! I save so much money and don’t have to carry heavy boxes of broth, which, let’s face it, is mostly just water! So much better for the planet too as there’s no wasted packaging! Thanks so much for this genius idea – this is truly a life saver in the kitchen!!
Rosa
Yay! Thrilled you’re enjoying this recipe Lucy. Thanks very much for the review. 🙂
David Pressman
Rosa: Thanks for the recipe. I can’t wait to get the ingredients and try it. I had a great commercial mix from Osem, but it had a lot of sodium. I don’t’ like to use sodium chloride salt so I’ll make it with a salt substitute, such as NoSalt or Also Salt (potassium chloride substitutes).
Rosa
Hi David, my pleasure. 🙂
Mary Ann
I am thinking of making this, but not using the bay leaf. Would it still be flavorful if not using?
Rosa
It’ll still be great without the bay leaf. Enjoy!
April
I keep a jar of ground bay leaves that I ground up in my coffee bean grinder. If that helps those cooking for ideas. I just used a pinch of that to match what a bay leaf would make. : )
Cecilia
If I don’t use any salt should I increase the garlic and onion powder?
Rosa
Hi Cecilia, no need to up those, unless you want a stronger onion and garlic flavour to your broth.
Crystal
Tip – you’re blender blades can be screwed to the mason jar saving you the transfer of the powder and that extra dish.
I’m intrigued by this recipe. Will try.
Karlyn Dawes
Just found this recipe and immediately had to make it. I did have a little problem with the bay leaf in my Ninja blender. It did not want to blend! But eventually I was able to get a powder that smells wonderful. Can’t wait to try it in my soup recipes. I love the idea of not having to buy broth!
Rosa
Thanks for sharing Karlyn! It’s such a game changer, so glad it worked out. 🙂
Karen
I keep this on hand at all times. Just made up 2 quadruple batches to store in my pantry. I seem to blow through veggie broth much faster than I can get to the store. This is absolutely a life saver. I make it without the salt and have no complaints.
Rosa
So wonderful to hear Karen! Thanks very much for sharing! 🙂
Naomi
This is absolutely delicious and so easy to make. Didn’t have celery seed but added coriander. Made a pea veggie soup and husband couldn’t believe how extra delicious the soup was. Make the soup all the time, only difference was opting this broth instead of store bought. Also made some quinoa and added this to water and it came out so extra yummy, too. Def will triple recipe.
Rosa
Thanks so much for the review Naomi! So glad you’re loving this soup mix. 🙂
Gail
I was pretty skeptical. As luck would have it, I couldn’t find the carton of vegetable broth I bought 2 days ago, and quickly made this mix! It not only Saved the day. Will use from now on!
Rosa
Thrilled to hear it Gail! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Darren
So good – make a double batch!
Rosa
Thanks Darren!
KayKay
Is this recipe able to be enjoyed by the cup for a hot drink? Love all the ingredients!
Rosa
You will need to boil the spoon of your soup mix with the water on stove top to get it dissolved, but yes you may! Enjoy.
Rachel
Can I use celery salt (instead of celery seed) and then reduce or not add the salt called for in the recipe? Thanks!
Rosa
Hi Rachel, yes that’ll work! Enjoy 🙂
Kathy
So glad to find this recipe! Easy, inexpensive and convenient.
Rosa
Thanks for the feedback Kathy, much appreciated. 🙂
Georgina
I love this idea and recipe, which is also easy to customise. No more salty powders with dodgy ingredients or oily cubes. Thanks!
Rosa
You’re very welcome Georgina, enjoy the recipe! 🙂
karen
What do you think a good substitute for the salt would be? A member of my household is on a salt free diet and I don’t want to ruin what looks like a fabulous recipe.
Rosa
Hi Karen, I had another reader tell me that they made it without the salt and it was delicious. Or you can try adding some lemon powder to replace the salt, but I’d start with 1 teaspoon and then add more if you want. Enjoy! 🙂
Michele
How long can this be stored and can it be frozen?
Rosa
Hi Michelle, this mix will last as long as your spices do. So go with the earliest expiration date of your mix ins, but anywhere between several months up to 2 years if stored properly (in a sealed jar or container). You may refrigerate or freeze to lock in the freshness even longer. Hope you enjoy!
kathleen
I have heard that bay leaves should not be ingested. In this recipe you call for the bay leaf to be ground up in the mix. Is that the case? OK to mix or not?
Rosa
Hi Kathleen, great question! Bay leaves CAN be ingested. They just shouldn’t be in their whole form since they’re very hard and scratchy. It would be unpleasant and a potential choking hazard to eat whole. When finely ground, they pose no risk. Hope you enjoy the recipe.