The quintessential Scottish dish for several centuries! Rich, robust and flavorful, Scotch Broth represents everything that is good about rustic home cooking.
The first time I had this soup was in a small pub outside Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It was the perfect meal for a cool afternoon and left me feeling happily nourished and ready to continue my sightseeing adventures.
In her 1856 cookbook, Cook and Housewife’s Manual, Margaret Dods referred to Scotch Broth as the “Pot au Feu of Scotland.” Pot au Feu has also been referred to as “the quintessence of French family cuisine [and] the most celebrated dish in France” so in like manner is reflective of the important place that Scotch Broth has taken at the Scottish family table for centuries.
Scotch Broth has been referenced in literature dating back to the 1600’s and it’s popularity has crossed many borders, including the U.S. where the recipe appeared in an 1881 American publication “The Household Cyclopedia.”
The popularity of Scotch Broth has become so widespread that it’s sold in cans in grocery stores and even some of the biggest brands have picked it up.
I’ll admit I’ve never had the canned version but what I can tell you is that once you’ve made and tried the real deal you’ll understand why Scotch Broth has been so central to Scottish cuisine.
The term “broth” is a little misleading because more so than a thin liquid that is sipped out of a mug or slurped from a spoon, it is a rich, hearty, thick and satisfying soup – really more of a stew – that has traditionally been eaten as the main meal. It’s loaded with vegetables, some fork-tender meat and generously thickened with barley, split peas and/or regular or red lentils.
Traditionally Scotch Broth would be made from whatever vegetables were in season but these would typically include rutabagas, carrots, turnips, cabbage, and leek. Mutton or lamb is very traditional and imparts an especially rich flavor, but beef may also be used. And if you have some bones to add to the pot, all the better.
Rich, robust and flavorful, Scotch Broth represents everything that is good about rustic home cooking. Traditional Scottish housewives, ever thrifty and knowing how to make much of little, knew how to gather up whatever fresh vegetables were available, add them together with lamb, mutton or beef, some barley, split peas and lentils (all staple Scottish ingredients), and simmer the mixture low and slow for hours to achieve a meal that by dinnertime would nourish both body and soul.
And so we present Scotch Broth, “the Pot au Feu of Scotland!”
Quality ingredients are key to make the best Scotch Broth.  For the best flavor possible, use a high quality chicken broth as its base, especially if you’re not adding soup bones. We’re using our favorite chicken broth made by Aneto. Based in Barcelona Spain, Aneto makes their broths just like you make in your own kitchen: They select quality free-range chicken and the freshest vegetables – onions, carrots, leek, cabbage, celery – season it with sea salt and add everything to gigantic pots where they simmer it low and slow for several hours before pouring the broth into cartons to sell around the world. No concentrates, powders, artificial ingredients, “natural flavors”, GMO’s, fillers or flavor enhancers of any kind. Just pure, whole, real ingredients. We love and highly recommend Aneto! Their broths can be found at select stores across the nation and on Amazon.
We had the opportunity to tour Aneto’s factory from top to bottom, watch the broth-making process from start to finish, and were absolutely blown away by the beauty and simplicity of how they create their broths. In the world of broth manufacturers, Aneto is truly unique and their broth-making process is one of the most encouraging and inspiring things I’ve witnessed.  Come read about it and  take our virtual tour of the world’s most remarkable broth manufacturer.Â
Without further ado, let’s get to that traditional Scotch Broth recipe – a stew that will fill your tummy and comfort your soul!
Scotch Broth Recipe
Let’s get started!
For a wonderfully flavor-packed Scotch Broth, we’re going to use leek, carrots, onions, rutabagas, turnips and parsnips. Get those cleaned and diced.
Cook the onions and garlic in the oil in a heavy stock pot or Dutch oven until softened 4-6 minutes.
Cook the onions and garlic in the lard or butter until softened, 4-6 minutes. Add the lamb, herbs, barley, split peas and salt.
I tie my herbs with a bit of twine for easy removal later. That’s entirely optional.
Add the broth, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours. Skim off any foam.
Add the carrot, turnip, rutabaga and parsnip. Simmer for another hour.
Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Remove the meat, shred it and discard the bones.
Return the shredded meat to the pot along with the leek and cabbage. Simmer for another 30 minutes. Add salt to taste.
We like this soup on the thick side, almost a stew. If you prefer the soup a bit thinner, add some more broth.
Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Enjoy!
For more Scottish recipes be sure to try our:

Traditional Scotch Broth
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lamb shoulder or shanks (or beef with bones)
- 2 tablespoons quality lard or butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup pearl barley
- 1/3 cup dried green split peas
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups quality chicken broth (I use and recommend Aneto)
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 turnip, peeled and diced
- 1 rutabaga, peeled and diced
- 1 parsnip, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup shredded green cabbage
- 1 medium leek, chopped, rinsed and drained
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the onions and garlic in the lard or butter until softened, 4-6 minutes. Add the lamb, herbs, barley, split peas, salt and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours. Skim off any foam.
- Add the carrot, turnip, rutabaga and parsnip. Simmer for another hour.
- Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Remove the meat, shred it and discard the bones. Return the shredded meat to the pot along with the leek and cabbage. Simmer for another 30 minutes. Add salt to taste. We like this soup on the thick side, almost a stew. If you prefer the soup a bit thinner, add some more broth.
- Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet March 18, 2018
Linda Shukri says
I will have to make this sometime soon! I always loved Campbell’s Scotch Broth! Because it’s not made with beef. It’s lamb and lamb gives the broth a wonderful flavor that I just fell in love with! I just googled it and found out they discontinued their scotch broth. So sad! Too bad! Guess I’ll have to make yours now! :-)
Robin says
Can you recommend an alternative to the barley that would keep it authentic textured/flavored but also gluten free?
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Robin, barley has its own unique flavor that another grain won’t replicate, but for a similar texture and to add the bit of bulk you can use brown rice instead. Happy cooking!
Julie Lovelady says
In fairness, being Glaswegian myself and having grown up with this soup as a constant, this particular recipe makes probably the best Scotch broth I’ve ever tasted. Absolutely recommended.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Now that is the best compliment I could ask for, Julie, thank you so much! <3
Nikki says
Absolutely love this recipe, thank you so much for sharing it. It’s delicious and healthy!
Kimberly Killebrew says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Nikki, thank you very much!
Bill says
You must be joking – Spanish chicken stock cubes?? Lamb or mutton, preferably on the bone!! Back in the 1950’s in Glasgow we had never heard of stock cubes – especially Spanish chicken!!
Make it properly. I can only assume that you’re from America.
Kimberly Killebrew says
And I can only assume you never learned to read properly. Or have a habit of seeing things that aren’t there. “Stock cubes”? There’s no mention of that anywhere in my blog post or recipe. Cheers.
beatrice carla wright says
May I cook the entire stew and serve the next day?
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Beatrice, yes you sure can! The barley has a tendency to expand and absorb liquid so you may just need to add a little additional liquid the next day if it’s too thick.
Kerry says
Followed the recipe exactly and it was wonderful! My family loved it, will make it again this week. Thank you for your recipes and the history behind each.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Thank you so much, Kerry, I’m thrilled you enjoyed it and appreciate the compliment!