Ways to Improve Store-bought Broth

If you have time, let the broth simmer on its own with some of the add-ins below for at least fifteen minutes before using it. We often do this while we’re prepping the rest of the ingredients for the dish. If you don’t have time, you can add the flavoring ingredients directly to the soup or braise that you’re making and then remove them before serving.

From The Kitchn.com

• Bay Leaf
• 1-2 garlic cloves, slightly crushed
• 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
• Splash of white wine
• handful of parsley stems
• 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1-2 whole star anise (if you like a licorice flavor)
• the rind from a hard cheese like parmesan or pecorino romano
• 1 tablespoon miso paste
• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• 1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
• 1 carrot, roughly chopped

You can use all or just a few of these add-ins. Really, whatever you have on-hand in your pantry. Even just a bay leaf will improve the flavor of the broth enormously.

Cheater's Homemade Broth

from The Splendid Table's How To Eat Supper

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 large cloves of garlic, crushed

2 whole cloves

1 canned tomato

1 bay leaf, broken

1/2 t dried basil

72 oz. chicken or veg stock

1 onion, course chopped

1/2 celery stalk

1/2 carrot

Simmer for 30 minutes, strain.