Scotch Broth Dry Mix in a Dehydrator (UK)

A homemade version of the classic Scottish soup mix, with your own dried root veg and leeks.

Why make it

Scotch broth mix is a store-cupboard staple across the UK, sold dry in every supermarket. The homemade version adds real vegetables, so you only need to add water and stock to make a complete, warming soup.

It's a great use for an allotment glut of carrots, swede and leeks, and it makes a thoughtful jar gift.

Ingredients

• Per jar (serves 4):
• 75 g pearl barley
• 50 g green split peas
• 25 g red split lentils
• 15 g dried carrot
• 15 g dried swede
• 10 g dried leek
• 5 g dried onion
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• To cook: 1.5 litres vegetable, chicken or lamb stock
• To dry for 4 jars: 3 medium carrots, ½ small swede, 2 leeks, 1 onion

Equipment

• Ezidri Ultra FD1000 with 3–4 trays
• Mesh sheets (diced veg shrinks a lot)
• Saucepan for blanching
• 500 ml jars

Method (summary)

1. Peel and dice the carrot and swede into 5 mm cubes; blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes, cool in cold water and drain.
2. Slice the leeks into 5 mm rings and wash thoroughly; slice the onion thinly. No blanching needed.
3. Dry carrot and swede at 55°C for 8–10 hours until hard; leek and onion at 50°C for 4–8 hours until brittle (dry onions on a separate run if you can, as they're pungent).
4. Cool completely, then layer each jar: barley, split peas, lentils, then the dried veg, parsley and pepper on top.
5. To cook: rinse the mix, simmer in 1.5 litres of stock for 50–60 minutes until the barley and peas are tender.

How to tell it's dry, storage and rehydrating

Dry when: carrot and swede are hard and rattle on the tray; leek and onion are brittle and crumble. Any softness means mould risk once jarred.

Storage: airtight jar, cool and dark. Best within 6 months. Condition the dried veg for a week before mixing (see our storage guide).

FAQ

What's in Scotch broth mix?

Usually pearl barley, dried peas (split or whole) and lentils. Our version adds home-dried carrot, swede, leek and onion.

Do you need to soak Scotch broth mix?

Not with split peas and red lentils; just rinse and simmer for about an hour. Mixes with whole dried peas need soaking overnight.

Can I use this mix for camping?

It needs an hour's simmering, which uses a lot of fuel. For trail meals, our leek and potato soup mix is quicker.

Related recipes and guides

• Leek and potato soup mix
• Dehydrated vegetable soup mix
• Drying times chart

Some food images are illustrative.