Back-Burner Stock
Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 16 Jan 2026
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This versatile back-burner stock is the ultimate kitchen hack for reducing food waste while creating a deeply savoury base for soups, stews, and risottos. By simmering everyday larder staples like onion and garlic with charcuterie trimmings and coriander stems, you can produce a complex, professional-quality broth in under half an hour. It is a fantastic way to utilise leftover fennel or celery ends that might otherwise be discarded, ensuring every bit of flavour is captured.
Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, this homemade stock is a healthy alternative to shop-bought cubes which are often high in salt and preservatives. Whether you choose to include prawn shells for a coastal depth or keep it strictly to meat and vegetables, this recipe is a reliable staple for any home cook. Batch-cook a large quantity to keep in the freezer, providing a ready-made flavour boost for your favourite midweek meals.
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Ingredients for Back-Burner Stock
1 tablespoon olive oil
90g charcuterie trimmings (such as ham, bacon, and/or sausage ends)
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 bunch coriander stems
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled, halved
2 bay leaves
1 cup coarsely chopped mixed vegetables (such as carrots, celery, and/or fennel)
1 teaspoon coriander or fennel seeds
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Prawns shells (optional)
How to make Back-Burner Stock
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add charcuterie, onion, coriander stems, garlic, bay leaves, vegetables, coriander seeds, red pepper flakes, and prawns shells (if using) and cook, stirring occasionally, until shells turn bright pink and vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add 1200ml cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes.
Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing on solids; discard solids.
Stock can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
16 Jan 2026 | Originally published
Authored by:
UK recipe editors
Peer reviewed by
UK recipe editors

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