How to Make Homemade Broth and The Benefits of Bone Broth

Chicken, turkey and beef stock is a household staple we use all the time. We make homemade broth from leftover bones from a meal. Homemade bone broth is so easy to make, and it can be used as a base for soups (such as Creamy Sweet Potato Soup), sauces and even as a cup on its own with a bit of salt and green onions (like a miso soup).

I use homemade bone broth to add a layer of flavor to my Cauliflower Rice too.

In addition to its versatility in cooking, bone broth has incredible health benefits. A cup of broth or stock can actually help to fight infections, such as the cold or flu, so mom wasn’t wrong after all when she insisted that we have chicken soup when we were sick.

The difference is that homemade broth or stock is packed with nutrients such as gelatin (check out 5 things you need to know about gelatin), amino acids, glucosamine and collagen, unlike the cans of chicken soup in the grocery store. Keep reading to learn how to make homemade broth.

Benefits of Homemade Bone Broth

1. Heals the gut for those with digestive issues such as gluten allergies, autoimmune disorders, etc.
2. Reduces joint pain
3. Fights inflammation
4. Helps to fight respiratory infection (great for colds and flu)
5. Promotes healthy nails, hair and skin
6. Promotes sleep and peacefulness
7. Promotes bone growth and repair

Source: 10 Benefits of Bone Broth, Mind, Body, Green

How to Make Homemade Broth

Bone broth is very easy to make – especially in a crock pot. Just save vegetable scraps throughout the week and use them to flavor the broth. I find root vegetables to be best, but you can also use the vegetables I’ve suggested below as a base. You can also save bones and freeze them if you’re not ready to use them right away.

I suggest not adding salt when you make the stock. I prefer my stock without salt so I can use it as needed for whatever recipe I need that calls for bone broth or stock.

Glass Mason jars work great for refrigerator storage BUT not in the freezer. Mason jars will break and the last thing you need is glass shards in your freezer. Try freezer-safe glass storage containers instead.

Video Tutorial

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make your own Homemade Bone Broth. It’s so easy and I’ll show you some time-saving tips to help you get it done faster.

Print Recipe

4.95 from 37 votes

Homemade Broth or Stock

Learn how to make homemade broth or stock in this tutorial and learn the health benefits of bone broth for the body. It's so easy to make at home!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time1 d

Total Time1 d 5 mins

Course: condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bone broth health benefits, homemade stock

Servings: 3 pints per batch

Calories: 373kcal

Author: Don't Mess With Mama

Ingredients

• 1-2 lbs organic chicken/turkey or grass-fed beef preferably with cartilage and feet (lamb and pork bones can also be used)
• 2-3 organic carrots largely chopped
• 2 stalks organic celery largely chopped
• 1 organic onion largely chopped
• 1 organic bay leaf
• Filtered water
• 1 tbsp raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp organic whole peppercorns optional
• 2 cloves garlic optional

Instructions

• In a medium to large crockpot, add bones, carrots, celery and onion and fill with filtered water to the top of the pot.
• Add the vinegar to the pot, cover and cook on low for 24 hours.
• Turn off heat and strain broth through a cheesecloth or sieve.
• Store broth in glass Mason jars and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze to use at a later time. Can be kept in the freezer for several months.

Notes

Keep the bones (not the vegetables – toss them and use a new set of vegetable scraps) and make another batch of bone broth.

Just repeat all steps in the directions. I find I can reuse chicken and turkey bones at least 2 times, while I can use beef bones about 3-4 times.

Equipment & Tools

• Crock pot
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons (I love these - they're magnetic so just stick to the stove top to use whenever you need it)
• Glass Mason jars
• Freezer-safe glass storage containers

Want More Recipes?

Check out my new book, Gluten-Free, Real Food Recipes for Kids. I wrote this book with YOU in mind. Parents who want to provide kids with wholesome meals without artificial colors, preservatives and other additives. All the recipes are gluten-free – with many options for grain free or Paleo, dairy free, egg free and vegetarian.

What’s Included In This Book

It’s filled with 130+ pages of content and recipes, including:

• Real food nutrition 101
• Detailed information on how to properly soak and sprout nuts, beans, grains and seeds
• A guide on how to spot chemical additives and what to avoid
• Kitchen essentials and cooking tools
• Tips on how to get kids to become better eaters and help in the kitchen
• 70+ gluten-free recipes – such as snacks and appetizers, beverages, condiments and dressings, main meals, desserts and more

Click here to buy it now or download a free preview.

Other Posts You Might Like

• 5 Health Benefits of Collagen Powder
• Instant Pot Minestrone Soup Recipe {Pressure Cooker, Gluten Free}
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Did you try this homemade broth or stock? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see what other fun things I’m getting up to.

Image credits: Flickr / cwisnieski,  Flickr / WorthTheWhisk