Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 4 cups
Don’t toss those garlic skins—brew them! This Garlic Skin Broth recipe transforms papery garlic peelings into a fragrant, nutrient-rich broth with subtle umami and medicinal benefits. Ideal as a soup base, grain-boiling liquid, or sipping tonic, this zero-waste broth is sustainability made simple and soulful.
📜 Why Garlic Skins? A Forgotten Flavor Source
“Sustainability starts with seeing value in what others throw away.”
Garlic skins contain trace minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds—many of the same benefits found in garlic itself. Rather than discarding them, you can simmer them slowly to extract their essence and create a flavorful base with gentle heat and deep aroma.
This practice honors whole-use cooking, helps reduce food waste, and brings subtle magic to everything from risottos to ramen.
Ingredients for Garlic Skin Broth
☑️ Skins from 1–2 heads of garlic (papery peels only, no roots)
☑️ 1 small onion (with skin, optional)
☑️ 1 bay leaf
☑️ 1 small piece of ginger (optional)
☑️ 4 cups water
☑️ Salt to taste
Optional Additions:
☑️ Black peppercorns
☑️ Mushroom stems
☑️ Carrot peels
☑️ Herb stems (parsley, thyme, etc.)
👩🍳 How to Make Garlic Skin Broth
🔥 Step 1: Collect & Rinse
1️⃣ Gather fresh, clean garlic skins (avoid moldy or burnt ones).
2️⃣ Rinse briefly in a sieve to remove dust.
🥣 Step 2: Simmer Slowly
1️⃣ In a pot, combine garlic skins, water, and your optional add-ins.
2️⃣ Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes.
🫗 Step 3: Strain & Store
1️⃣ Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
2️⃣ Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze in cubes for future recipes.
💖 Why You’ll Love Garlic Skin Broth
☑️ A free, flavorful stock from scraps
☑️ Packed with subtle nutrients and immune-boosting compounds
☑️ Earthy, aromatic, and perfect for layering into soups and stews
☑️ A small but powerful step toward sustainable kitchen habits
“Every peel has a purpose—especially in the hands of a conscious cook.”
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Truffle Honey Glazed Duck Breast You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
Discover rare culinary experiences at Good Food and More—where every recipe is a journey through heritage, craftsmanship, and unforgettable flavors.
