Instant Pot Scotch Broth
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Instant Pot Scotch Broth. How to make a delicious healthy no soak scotch broth soup in the pressure cooker using easy to source everyday ingredients.
Would you like to make instant pot scotch broth soup? By that I mean an authentic scotch broth that doesn’t require a scotch broth mix soak, that helps you learn more about the culture of scotch broth and best all, tastes amazing?
Then grab a seat and get comfy as I show you how to make scotch broth from scratch in the electric pressure cooker.

Table of Contents
Instant Pot Scotch Broth
If you are wondering why today of all days, I am sharing with you a Scottish soup, then let me fill you in on the latest theme we are running on Recipe This.
We love themes on Recipe This, it allows us to get excited about a certain type of food and show you a way of cooking that we like to do.
Well Dominic and I met on Burns Night 2000. Making it 20 years on Saturday since we started dating! We then got married exactly 3 years later on Burns Night 2003.
It was the weekend before my 21st birthday when we got married and as we got married on the most popular Scottish day of the year, it felt like a great way to mark our wedding anniversary by dedicating some new recipes to the great food of Scotland.
If you want to learn more about the quirky food of Scotland and OMG how delicious it is, then we would love to have you follow the theme!

What Is Burns Night?
But before we crack on with the ins and outs of instant pot scotch broth, I am sure you are wondering what on earth burns night is, so let me fill you in.
Burns night is observed by Scottish people and many places throughout the United Kingdom also put on themed parties for burns night too.
Burns Night is the celebration of Robert Burns who was a famous Scottish poet. His most famous work is the Auld Lang Syne that is sung ever New Years Eve. Burns Night is observed on Robert Burns birthday.
On Burns Night people dress up in Scottish clothes (yes the men wear kilts) and eat lots of delicious Scottish food.
So, this week we will be sharing with you our favourite Scottish food including the dreaded haggis and this delicious Instant Pot Scotch Broth.
What Is Scotch Broth?
Scotch broth is a filling Scottish soup, that is perfect for money saving thanks to how cheap it is to make one huge pot of scotch broth. The ingredients in a scotch broth vary from region to region but include scotch broth mix, some braising meat and vegetables.
My grandad used to cook it for me frequently, along with other similar filling soups and a pot would last for ages and feed many people.
Does Scotch Broth Have Meat In It?
One of the burning questions as far as scotch broth is concerned, is whether it has meat in it or not. This is because there are some modern versions that are vegetarian and vegan, and I can understand why it would be confusing.
In a nutshell YES. But like any soup or stew people often make diet or meat free versions.
In a typical scotch broth, it will be cooked with lamb. Though there are some versions that substitute this for braising beef.
Scotch Broth With Lamb
Our version of scotch broth that we are cooking today in the instant pot pressure cooker, is made with lamb.
We had some spare diced lamb leftover from another recipe we were writing up for you and it was the perfect way to make an authentic scotch broth.
You can use all types of lamb. The most common is lamb neck. But you can also use lamb bones or braising lamb.
Our diced lamb is cut from the shoulder of a lamb that we bought when it was last in season.
Do You Have To Soak Scotch Broth Mix?
That is the amazing thing about using an instant pot, or other brand of electric pressure cooker.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO SOAK. Forget all those times when you want to soak beans, peas and lentils as thanks to the way the electric pressure cooker works that can be a thing of the past.
That same rule applies to scotch broth. You simple rinse and load into the instant pot, just like it is any other ingredient.
What Ingredients & Gadgets Go Into Instant Pot Scotch Broth?

There are 7 main ingredients that go into instant pot scotch broth:
- Scotch Broth Mix
- Lamb
- Carrots
- Onions
- Celery
- Vegetable Stock
- Seasonings
If you don’t already have an Instant Pot, then we have both the 6 quart Duo and the 8 quart duo in our kitchen as well as the Mealthy Multipot. Any type of electric pressure cooker will work well, but I recommend reducing the size of our recipe ingredients if using the mini as this is a full pot of scotch broth soup.
Actually, that is an understatement, if you think that soup loaded with lentils stretches a lot further, imagine my 6 quart pressure cooker is at the max line.
Then it thickens when left, so for leftovers and adding water in there will be enough to feed an army!
The most important ingredient is your scotch broth mix. This is the one we recommend that you buy.

How To Make Instant Pot Scotch Broth?

Making instant pot scotch broth is EASY and it is a case of a quick sauté of ingredients and pouring in your vegetable stock.
- You sauté your lamb first in the instant pot to brown it. This adds flavour to your instant pot, and you don’t have to remove the lamb after browning.
- Add in your prepped celery, carrots and onion.
- Next add in your scotch broth mix and stir.
- Seasonings are also added in so that your scotch broth is not bland.
- The vegetable stock is poured in.
- Mix and place the lid on your instant pot and then you leave the instant pot to it while it works its magic!
Thick Scotch Broth Vs Thin Scotch Broth Soup
The beauty of making scotch broth is that you can choose how you want it to turn out. Because the scotch broth mix allows it to naturally thicken you can keep it as it is or add more vegetable stock.
A thick scotch broth will be more like a classic stew, while adding in more vegetable stock will turn it into a thin soup.
For a good quality vegetable stock for your scotch broth we recommend Kettle and Fire. They have a fantastic product range and we love how healthy their stocks are for homemade soups and broths.

Instant Pot Scotch Broth FAQ
We have been asked a lot of questions about instant pot scotch broth and could go on forever answering them all.
Instead we have made a quick FAQ for you with the most common questions that we have received. If you have a question that is not mentioned below, leave a comment and we will add your question to the list!
- Can scotch broth be frozen? Absolutely. Wait until the scotch broth is completely cold and then load it into your favourite freezer containers and label it up. Then you can reheat it from frozen in the instant pot for zero minutes. Though when you do you may want to add extra stock as it can become overly thick.
- How to thicken scotch broth? You don’t need to. It thickens naturally. Because of all the scotch broth mix included in the soup when left to cool down it will thicken up some more. Often, I need to add some extra vegetable stock before serving.
- Is scotch broth soup fattening? Nope. Scotch broth is loaded with healthy lentils, peas and such like. As well as this it is loaded with vegetable stock and healthy vegetables. In fact, it is perfect for a pick me up when you have the cold or flu. Think of it as your ultimate detox soup!
- What does scotch broth taste like? Scotch broth is like a vegetable and lentil soup. It is very tasty and has that old school flavour to it, like a delicious soup that your grandma made. It is very hearty, so doesn’t taste like a diet soup.
- What to put in scotch broth? Ideally, in a scotch broth you want a scotch broth mix, root vegetables and leftover lamb as well as some vegetable stock. Avoid adding potatoes as they will make your scotch broth too thick.
- Where to buy scotch broth? You can buy your scotch broth mix through this link. It is readily available on Amazon and you can often buy it at your local supermarket.
- What stock goes into scotch broth? You can use any vegetable stock that you like. I tend to make my own and have a batch in the freezer. Or you could use some vegetable stock cubes instead.
What To Serve With Scotch Broth?
Here at Recipe This we love to make a big batch of soup in the instant pot pressure cooker.
Then we can have it for a few days for lunch or freeze it for another day. But I am sure you’re wondering what you should serve with your scotch broth.
Firstly, it is fantastic as it is and holding the warm bowl of scotch broth is perfect for those colder months. But here are a few more suggestions of what to have with it.
- Air Fryer Pull Apart Bread – Add some air fryer homemade bread to your scotch broth and dunk. After all, isn’t that how we all grew up eating soup?
- Air Fryer Buttermilk Biscuits – The American biscuit is perfect for a dunk in your soup and makes a delicious Plan B to some homemade bread.
- Air Fryer Croutons – Did you know you can make delicious croutons in the air fryer to serve with your scotch broth? So delicious and perfect for if you have some stale bread.
- Air Fryer Kale Chips – Some like to load up their soup with kale. As a healthy alternative to bread and croutons try adding in some crispy kale.

Instant Pot Scotch Broth
Ingredients
Kitchen Gadgets:
Instant Pot Scotch Broth Recipe Ingredients:
- 300 g Diced Lamb
- 500 g Scotch Broth Mix
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 Large Carrots
- 1 Medium White Onion
- 3 Celery Stalks
- 2000 ml Vegetable Stock
- 1 Tbsp Thyme
- 1 Tbsp Parsley
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Peel and dice your carrot and onion. Clean and dice your celery.
- Place into your instant pot your diced lamb, extra virgin olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. Place it on sauté and allow your lamb to brown a little.
- Add in your carrot, onion and celery and mix well. Carry on sautéing for an extra minute or two.
- Add in the seasonings, the scotch broth mix and your vegetable stock.
- Give it a mix and cancel the sauté.
- Place the lid on the instant pot, set the valve to sealing and cook for 30 minutes on manual/pressure cook.
- Allow 10 minutes natural pressure release and then release the rest of the pressure.
- Add in extra seasoning if required, give it an extra stir and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Nutrition
Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 490mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3020IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 37mg |
Iron: 3mg
Could you tell me what quantity these numbers are based on?
Hi Sarah,
It would be 1 ladle but the nutrition values are only there as a guide to 😊
I make my broth with beef normally brisket, I’m getting an instapot for Christmas and fancy doing my soup in it, do I cook the brisket the same way as the lamb, does it need longer because it’s beef?
Hi Shona,
It will cook the same as the lamb 🙂
Hi. If i want to omit the lamb and make a veggie version of this recipe would the cook time still be 30 minutes?
Hi Simon,
It would depend on what vegetables you wanted add. Carrots, potatoes ok if you cut them the same size as the lamb or bigger if you do not want them to turn into mash. If your just adding small veg then take off 5 minutes i would guess 🙂