Scotch Broth
In need of a cosy dinner that helps you use up cupboard essentials? This traditional, hearty Scottish soup is made up of simple, everyday ingredients that combine to form a delicious, warming broth.
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories457
- Carbs47g
- Protein33g
- Fat11g
- Saturates4g
- Sugars5g
For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know in the blurb!
A traditional Scottish soup that works as more of a stew, Scotch Broth is specifically designed to combat cold, dreary days. Packed with wholesome ingredients and essential vitamins, it warms you from the inside out.
It’s actually widely considered a fab healing dish when you’re feeling under the weather, with the warm broth helping to soothe sore throats and clear stuffy noses and heads.
The soup’s rich, cosy flavour comes from the slow simmering process, which draws out deep flavour from the meat, bones, and various root vegetables. Typically, it’s a low-cost, thrifty meal you can make with staple cupboard ingredients. It’s perfect if you’re out all day and want something filling and warming ready for when you come in after work!
The best part? You can also make it hands-free in your Slow Cooker!
What diets is this Scotch Broth suitable for?
This Scotch Broth recipe is suitable for dairy-free diets.
Remember to take extra care when you’re cooking for people with allergies. Use separate utensils, cookware, and preparation surfaces.
Do you need any special ingredients to make Scotch Broth?
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No, this recipe doesn’t call for any special ingredients. You’ll find everything on your local supermarket shelves (or in your cupboards!).
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How many calories are in this Scotch Broth recipe?
There are 457 calories in this Scotch Broth recipe, which means it falls into our Weekly Indulgence category. These are all recipes that come in at under 500 calories or more, great for when you’re hosting or simply fancy something a little more indulgent to tuck into.
All of the recipes in our Weekly Indulgence category slot perfectly into calorie-controlled diets or any one of the major diet plans like Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight, then you might want to adjust these slightly. You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Dissolve the stock cubes in the boiling water.
Step 2
Add all the remaining ingredients (apart from the parsley, salt, and pepper) to a large saucepan with a lid. Pour over the stock.
Step 3
Mix well, then set on a medium heat, and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer covered for 1 hour.
Step 4
When all the veg is cooked and the pearl barley is tender, remove a couple of ladles of veg and stock. Then blitz it in a food processor (or use a stick blender) until it’s smooth.
Step 5
Add this back into the soup and stir. This will thicken it slightly.
Step 6
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Then a sprinkle over the parsley and serve!
What could I serve with Scotch Broth?
We think this Scotch Broth works really well on its own. Alternatively, you can serve it with a slice of crusty bread, or a vegetable dish. Any one of the following would work really well:
How do you know when Scotch Broth is cooked?
You’ll know this Scotch Broth is cooked when the veg has softened and the pearl barley is tender. This will take around an hour simmering in a pan. At this point, you’ll need to take a couple of ladles of veg and stock and blitz until smooth. Then add this back into the soup, and cook for another 10-15 minutes — until thick (see the steps for this).
Alternatively, you can make this recipe in your slow cooker for a more hands-free cooking experience.
As per UK food safety guidelines, always cook meat until it reaches 75ºC and stays at that temperature for at least two minutes. This is to keep you and whoever it is you’re cooking for safe.
How long can you keep Scotch Broth in the fridge?
Once you’ve served up your Scotch Broth, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you do allow any leftovers to cool, be sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid. You can keep leftovers of Scotch Broth in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze Scotch Broth?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it’s cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that’s suitable for freezing.
- Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat Scotch Broth?
From chilled: Place in a microwave-proof container with loosely fitting lid, and heat for 4-7 minutes — until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost fully, then heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes. Give it a good stir. Then cook for a further 5-7 minutes — until piping hot.
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Scotch Broth
In need of a cosy dinner that helps you use up cupboard essentials? This traditional, hearty Scottish soup is made up of simple, everyday ingredients that combine to form a delicious, warming broth.
-
Prep Time
15 MINS
-
Cook Time
1 HR
- KCals 457
- Carbs 47G
Instructions
- Dissolve the stock cubes in the boiling water.
- Add all the remaining ingredients apart from the parsley, salt, and pepper, to a large saucepan with a lid. Pour over the stock.
- Mix well, set on a medium heat, and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer covered for 1 hour.
- When all the veg is cooked and the pearl barley is tender, remove a couple of ladles of veg and stock, then blitz it in a food processor — or use a stick blender until it's smooth.
- Add this back into the soup and stir. This will thicken it slightly.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, sprinkle over the parsley, and serve!
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19 comments
See what others have to say
Debbie.Wednesday 21st January 2026
I don’t like. Chunky soup. Would it still be nice if all blended?
Deb.
HollyThursday 22nd January 2026
Hey Debbie, yes you could blend the soup but you may need to add more liquid if it’s too thick, hope that helps!
Jenny IrvineThursday 13th January 2022
What is your portion size when it comes to soup? I can’t work out the carbs for my diabetic step son without knowing the portion size
HollyFriday 14th January 2022
hey Jenny, We work out our recipes on the serving size not by weight. To work out your own weight of a serving you would need to make the finished dish and divide servings, as the weight will vary due to variation of ingredients and water content it’s not something we can do as an exact measure. If you scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page on the website there is a little arrow by servings and you can alter up or down to serve more or less people. Hope that helps!
Kate IrvineSunday 15th October 2023
I am Diabetic Type 2 and also on a diet. When I make anything like this I weigh and count the total calories, carbs, sugar, etc. When I put everything into tubs for the freezer I divide the total calories, etc., by the number of portions and write the details per portion on a label on the container.
NicholaTuesday 7th April 2020
Does slow cooker have to be high or low?
Steve CowderoyWednesday 13th May 2020
Hi Nicola, thanks for getting in touch with us, I would set this to high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7. Hope this helps
Lisa xMonday 14th January 2019
What changes to ingredients would I make if I use chicken? Or what else can I add?
ChristineTuesday 28th August 2018
Could the lamb be replaced with a different meat
Donna MackaySaturday 12th September 2020
Yes, in fact you don’t have to put the meat in. I grew up with this and you would cook your meat joint in the soup. Have a plate of soup and then serve meat with potatoes.
MandySaturday 7th April 2018
Do you think this could be cooked in an Instant Pot?
StephanieThursday 29th March 2018
It doesn’t state the setting….low for 4-5hours or High for 4-5hours
Pat ThompsonFriday 16th February 2018
I absolutely love this broth
Maria FairminerTuesday 24th January 2017
Could I use soup mix instead of the pearl barley ?
KateTuesday 24th January 2017
Hi Maria
Yes you can 🙂
KateWednesday 11th January 2017
We generally cook it on medium, so it’s just simmering not boiling rapidly
Brenda NICHOLSONWednesday 11th January 2017
Low or it takes the taste out if not simmered
AnneSaturday 7th January 2017
I’d think low
AlexSunday 18th September 2016
Hi. Would you need to cook this on low, medium or high. Thanks
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