Vegetable stock that's not full of rubbish/palm oil/starch etc.

[waistchallenge]

I've cut out the majority of ultra-processed foods from my diet but I've realised I rely on stock/bouillon powder a lot and I don't have time to make stock from scratch. I'd like to find an option that isn't full of "fillers" like palm oil or potato starch. Low salt would be good but isn't essential.

At first I tried the Marigold low salt bouillon but it's still pretty high in salt. The first three ingredients are rice flour, sea salt and maltodextrin with vegetables only at 8.5% so the vegetable flavour isn't strong enough IMO.

Then I tried Kallo's very low salt cubes but it doesn't have much flavour and also the first ingredient is potato starch and the second is palm oil which isn't great. It's quite pleasant as a drink but that's it.

I wonder why there isn't a bouillon powder that is mainly made up of the vegetables and herbs and carrots etc. seem like an afterthought. 🤔

Does anyone know of a better option?

I do masses of this or a similar recipe once every few months, with whatever veg we have

https://aseasyasapplepie.com/homemade-vegetable-stock-powder/

Basically a LOT easier if you have an Aga or Rayburn as it can cook while the oven is on while cooking dinner, and then keep dehydrating while it cools.
I keep a bag in the freezer for excess veg bits.

I will add that I don't use as much salt ^

Yes make your own 100%.

I just brown off onions, celery stalks, carrots, tomatoes and mushrooms all whole or halved( but you can use anything) with some parsley stalks and bay leaf for a good couple of hours on a low simmer. Taste as you go.

Then I strain and reduce it on a rolling boil for an hour or so to concentrate it. You can go longer if you want. You can then freeze I to ice cubes and store in the freezer. I don’t add any salt to mine, just season the dish I’m using it in.

Thanks but I don't have time to make my own.

It is super-easy to make your own if you don't reduce it to a powder.

Boil 2 carrots, 2 celery sticks, one large white onion or leek, fresh bay and rosemary, peppercorns and salt in a pan and let it simmer for about two to four hours. Just turn it low while you are watching a film.

When there's not much water left and it's just about covering the veg turn it off, let it cool and pour into big cube ice trays. Use in cooking as needed.

It really doesn’t take any time to make your own,as long as you have a bit of freezer space.
I have a bag in the freezer that I put my vegetable trimmings in. When it gets quite full I put in in a pan with some water and bring it to the boil. Then I wrap the pan in an old duvet and leave it for the day. Sieve out the veg then freeze in old Chinese takeaway containers.
when I need one I just pop it in whatever I’m making, no need to defrost in advance!

It just sits there while you Mumsnet do housework.

Knorr do a zero salt one which does have potato starch but no palm oil

I do make my own usually but this is a good emergency option op, obviously bit more pricey than individual cubes but no additives just veggies.

Article on the best.
Kallo swiss veg is the lowest salt, lowest sugar one apparently.

They've all got fillers in. The only way to avoid fillers is to make your own. I eat as much an unprocessed diet as possible but I still use Kallo & Marigold bouillon.

There is this, I haven't tried it yet but it seems to have the least added extra stuff.

www.bayskitchen.com/products/concentrated-vegetable-stock

Podrovka Vegeta is Croatian & fits the bill . I bought it on holiday,but it's on Amazon & in European shops

A quick Google tells me it is 56% salt and 15% MSG so maybe not quite what OP is looking for?

Probably delicious though!

Just checked my packet, 38.3, compared to Marigold 44.6 !

If you're cutting all UPF out of your cooking, then you're going to have to get used to taking time to cook things! It really doesn't take time to make stock. And so much tastier than pre-prepared ones.

I came on to reccomend this. Have used this and the chicken one - both very good

You can find clean ingredient veg boullion powders on Amazon. Dr Coys is a good one

It's easier to make your own if you have a pressure cooker.

Waitrose do liquid vegetable stock in a bag and it doesn't contain any nasties.

www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/cooks-ingredients-vegetable-stock/057500-28921-28922

OP, I know you haven’t got time to make you own but I hope you won’t mind me adding this link for vegetable stock paste in the Instant Pot as it might be useful for anyone else reading the thread or searching in the future. I haven’t personally made it yet but it is on my list of things I will get around to doing one day.

https://www.feistytapas.com/2017/02/homemade-vegetable-stock-paste-instantpot-thermomix/#recipe

I found this, but I haven’t ordered it yet:

https://www.justspices.co.uk/vegetable-stock-without-added-sugar.html

bit expensive until I know I like it and can perhaps bulk buy!

I’m also looking for the same! I currently use Marigold & trying to find an alternative. I’ve just bought 9 meals from anarchy vegetable stock - it’s not a powder, it’s a paste but can be stored in the fridge for 3 months after opening. It is good.