Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Beef or Chicken!) (2024)

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Bone broth is an important part of any gut-healing diet and is recognized worldwide for its nutrient-dense properties! Learn how to make bone broth today with this easy bone broth recipe!

Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Beef or Chicken!) (1)

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Bone Broth

Whether you are doing an intense gut-healing diet like G.A.P.S. or you are just wanting to add more nutrient-rich foods to your diet, bone broth should be a big part of your meal plan!

In this post, you will learn more about bone broth, its nutritional and healing benefits, how to make it, how to use it, how to store it, and more!

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is an intensely nutritious food made from meat bones. Bone broth is cooked at a low temperature for a long period of time, usually 8-48 hours, depending on the desired intensity.

It is important to note, that while bone broth is great on the GAPS diet, the Intro Diet starts out with stock, as it's easier on the system. Then you can work up to bone broth over time.

What's the Difference Between Broth, Stock, and Bone Broth?

You may hear the terms broth, stock, and bone broth all used interchangeably. And while they are created in generally the same way (water, meat/bones, and seasonings) they do have some fundamental differences you should know about.

Broth: Broth is the quickest of the three to make and is generally made with meat and can contain a small amount of bones. For example, when you boil a whole chicken you are making broth. A fast process, broth is typically simmered on low to medium heat for about 45 minutes to 2 hours. Unlike the next 2, broth has a light flavor, and thin texture, and can be hidden easily in other dishes.

Broth is also a rich source of protein.

Stock: Stock is made with bones that have a little bit of meat still on them. These are often referred to as soup bones, joint bones, or marrow bones.

Often the bones are roasted or soaked in apple cider vinegar water before simmering them as this greatly improves the flavor. Stock is generally only simmered for a moderate amount of time (3 to 4 hours). Additionally, stock is a good source of gelatin and protein.

Bone Broth: Bone broth is generally made with the same type of bones as stock; bones that have a little bit of meat still on them.

Just like with stock, bones are typically roasted or soaked first to enhance the flavor of the finished bone broth. However, unlike stock, bone broth is cooked the longest of the three and is typically simmered over low heat for somewhere between 8 and 24+ hours. The reason for such a long cook time is to release trace minerals from the bones, as well as to create a thick gelatin, marrow, and collagen rich bone broth.

Note: To fully remove the marrow from the bones once the bone broth is finished cooking, gently tap the bones on the side of the pot and the marrow should just fall out!

You can leave the marrow in the bone broth for consumption that way, or you can remove it and serve it separately. Some people like to blend it up and then mix it in with soups for an easier time eating it.

Bone Broth Benefits

Bone broths are a wonderful source for both minerals and proteins that your body needs to support healing and normal functions. Such as glycine which supports the process of detoxification and digestion - it is also needed for your body to produce hemoglobin, bile salts, and other important chemicals the body needs to function properly.

Bone broth is also an important source of gelatin which can support skin and joint health. Because gelatin is also a big help in the digestive health of your body, it's easy to see why it's a foundational requirement of many gut-healing diets!

Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Beef or Chicken!) (2)

Bone Broth Recipes: How to Make Bone Broth

There are a few different ways to make bone broth; in a stock pot on the stove or in a crockpot. You can even make bone broth in an Instant Pot! There is also a printable recipe at the end of this post.

Beef Bone Broth

Beef bone broth is what we make most often, and the directions for how to make beef bone broth are very simple!

  • Soak - Add 2-3 pounds of beef bones to a large stock pot and cover them with water. Then add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This helps the bones release vital nutrients during the cooking process.
  • Season - Add high-quality salt, peppercorns, and fresh garlic to taste.
  • Simmer - Let the bones sit in the water without heat for 30-60 minutes. Then bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer (covered) for 8-10 hours. You can simmer for up to 36 hours, adding more water as needed.
  • Release - If you cooked the bones long enough to release the marrow, knock the bones on the side of a bowl WHILE STILL HOT to release all the marrow.
  • Cool - After cooking, remove the bones and let them cool. Once cooled, you can freeze them for a second use (if you cooked them for only 8 hours), or you can then throw them away.
  • Strain - Strain the stock to remove peppers and any bone fragments that may have broken off during the cooking process.
  • Store - Store in a glass container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.

Chicken Bone Broth

The process of making chicken bone broth is very similar to that of making beef broth. We like to roast a whole chicken in the oven, strip the meat, and use the bones for bone broth.

  • Soak - Once you have the chicken bones from a whole chicken (or you can use chicken feet, or a combination of the two), place them in a large stock pot, cover them with water, and add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
  • Simmer - Bring the water to a boil, reduce to a low simmer, and simmer for 8-10 hours. Again, you can simmer for up to 36 hours, adding more water as needed.
  • Strain - Once you've simmered the chicken bone broth as long as you'd like, strain the broth into a container to remove the bones. Discard the bones as desired.
  • Store - Store in a glass container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.

Instant Pot Bone Broth

While slow cooking of bone broth is important for gut healing, if you're just making bone broth for cooking you can make it in an instant pot easily!

Follow the directions above for stove top bone broth of your choice, but set the Instant Pot to "soup", low pressure, and 120 cook time.

Please note: Depending on the size of your Instant Pot, you may need to cut the recipe in half. So you would use only 1 pound of bones and only 8 cups of water.

Once cook time has been completed, be sure to let the Instant Pot depressurize naturally. Then process the bone broth as desired.

Crockpot Bone Broth

If you need to "set it and forget it" for a while, a slow cooker or crockpot bone broth is a great way to have homemade bone broth without the worry of making it on the stovetop!

Please note: Depending on the size of your Crockpot, you may need to cut the recipe in half. So you would use only 1 pound of bones and only 8 cups of water.

Follow the directions above for stove top bone broth of your choice, but set the crockpot to low and cook for 18 - 72 hours.

Strain and store the broth as indicated in the steps above.

Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Beef or Chicken!) (3)

Storing Bone Broth

To properly store homemade bone broth, follow these steps to maintain its freshness and quality.

  1. Strain - Strain the bone broth to remove any particles that may have broken loose during the cooking process.
  2. Cool - Allow the bone broth to cool completely before storing it. Leaving it at room temperature for an hour or two is advisable.
  3. Portion - Use appropriate storage containers. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work best to prevent leaks and maintain flavor. Portion the broth into smaller jars (wide-mouth pint jars work really well). This allows you to thaw and use only the amount needed without repeatedly exposing the entire batch to air and potential contaminants.
  4. Label - Label the jars with the date of preparation to track their freshness.
  5. Store - Store the bone broth in the refrigerator if you plan to use it within 2 weeks. For longer-term storage, freeze it.
  6. Freeze - If freezing, leave about an inch of space at the top of the container as the liquid expands when frozen.
  7. Thaw - When ready to use, thaw frozen bone broth in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stove.
Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Beef or Chicken!) (4)

How to Use Bone Broth

This bone broth makes a delicious base for any soup. Just add the meat and veggies of your choice and enjoy!

Here are a few soup recipes to get you started:

You can also use bone broth to make everyday recipes even more rich and delicious! For any savory dish where you would use water, try bone broth instead for a healthy (and delicious) boost!

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use bone broth every day:

  • Homemade Stuffing
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Super Easy Homemade Chili

Bone Broth FAQs

Can you tell me where to buy bone broth?

Bone broth is available both online and in many local grocery stores. However, the heating process that bone broth undergoes to make it shelf stable damages the nutrition and protein within the bone broth, making it much less healing than homemade.

Can I freeze my bone broth?

Yes! We have had the same wonderful healing results from frozen and gently reheated bone broth as we have from drinking it fresh!

Be sure to choose your glass containers carefully as some may shatter during the thawing process. That will not only ruin the container, but it will also ruin your bone broth!

How long does bone broth last in the fridge?

We use ours within 2 weeks, as long as there is a fat layer on top to protect it from the air. If you want to make a larger batch but know that you won't use it all that quickly, you can freeze it until you need it later.

How do I thaw frozen bone broth?

Since we store ours in glass jars, we simply take a jar out of the freezer the night before we need it and place it in the fridge in the warmest part. This is usually the bottom shelf or the door. By the next day, it's thawed and ready to reheat on the stove!

Can I microwave bone broth?

No! This will destroy all the benefits of the bone broth. Only heat your bone broth on the stovetop.

To do so, place your desired amount into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir occasionally to help melt the fat. Once you start to see steam rising from the broth, it's ready to drink!

How can I take bone broth with me to work?

Since you can't use the microwave to heat the broth once you are at work, the best solution is to heat it in the morning to boiling, then pour it into a thermos for eating later on.

While the broth will lose some of its heat as the day goes on, it should still be very warm if you use a good-quality thermos!

Can I give bone broth to my dog?

Yes! Bone broth that has been strained (so there are no small bones) is a wonderful and healthy addition to your dog's diet!

We like to give grain-free dry dog food with a cup of bone broth on top to our dogs. It creates a really nutrient-dense meal for them and helps with their joint health as well!

Even More Homemade Recipes

Looking for more healthy and delicious recipes to share with your family? Here are a few of our favorites, from our kitchen to yours!

  • How to Cook a Frozen Chicken
  • Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins
  • Homemade Mayo

Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Beef or Chicken!) (5)

Homemade Bone Broth

Bone broth is an important part of any gut-healing diet and is recognized worldwide for its nutrient-dense properties! Learn how to make bone broth today with this easy bone broth recipe!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: ingredient, Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beef bone broth, bone broth, bone broth recipe, how to make bone broth

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours hours

Total Time: 8 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 cups

Calories: 33kcal

Cost: $15

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs bones of choice (chicken or beef)
  • 1 gallon filtered water
  • 1 tbsp apple cidar vinegar
  • seasonings to taste (salt, pepper, garlic...)

Instructions

Bone Broth (Stovetop)

  • Add bones to a large stock pot and cover them with water. Then add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This helps the bones release vital nutrients during the cooking process.

  • Add high-quality salt, peppercorns, and fresh garlic to taste.

  • Let the bones sit in the water without heat for 30-60 minutes. Then bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer (covered) for 8-10 hours. You can simmer for up to 36 hours, adding more water as needed.

  • If you cooked the bones long enough to release the marrow, knock the bones on the side of a bowl WHILE STILL HOT to release all the marrow.

  • After cooking, remove the bones and let them cool. Once cooled, you can freeze them for a second use (if you cooked them for only 8 hours), or you can then throw them away.

  • Strain the stock to remove peppers and any bone fragments that may have broken off during the cooking process.

  • Store in a glass container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.

Instant Pot Bone Broth:

  • Follow the directions above for stove top bone broth of your choice, but set the Instant Pot to "soup", low pressure, and 120 cook time.

  • Please note: Depending on the size of your Instant Pot, you may need to cut the recipe in half. So you would use only 1 pound of bones and only 8 cups of water.

  • Once cook time has been completed, be sure to let the Instant Pot depressurize naturally. Then process the bone broth as desired.

Crockpot Bone Broth:

  • Please note: Depending on the size of your Crockpot, you may need to cut the recipe in half. So you would use only 1 pound of bones and only 8 cups of water.

  • Follow the directions above for stove top bone broth of your choice, but set the crockpot to low and cook for 18 - 72 hours.

  • Strain and store the broth as indicated in the steps above.

Notes

Storing Bone Broth

To properly store homemade bone broth, follow these steps to maintain its freshness and quality.

  1. Strain -Strain the bone broth to remove any particles that may have broken loose during the cooking process.
  2. Cool -Allow the bone broth to cool completely before storing it. Leaving it at room temperature for an hour or two is advisable.
  3. Portion -Use appropriate storage containers. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work best to prevent leaks and maintain flavor. Portion the broth into smaller jars (wide-mouth pint jars work really well). This allows you to thaw and use only the amount needed without repeatedly exposing the entire batch to air and potential contaminants.
  4. Label -Label the jars with the date of preparation to track their freshness.
  5. Store -Store the bone broth in the refrigerator if you plan to use it within 2 weeks. For longer-term storage, freeze it.
  6. Freeze -If freezing, leave about an inch of space at the top of the container as the liquid expands when frozen.
  7. Thaw -When ready to use, thaw frozen bone broth in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stove.

Can I microwave bone broth?

No! This will destroy all the benefits of the bone broth. Only heat your bone broth on the stovetop.

To do so, place your desired amount into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir occasionally to help melt the fat. Once you start to see steam rising from the broth, it's ready to drink!

How can I take bone broth with me to work?

Since you can't use the microwave to heat the broth once you are at work, the best solution is to heat it in the morning to boiling, then pour it into a thermos for eating later on.

While the broth will lose some of its heat as the day goes on, it should still be very warm if you use a good-quality thermos!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Bone Broth

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 33

% Daily Value*

Sodium 90mg4%

Protein 9g18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @AModHomestead or tag ##amodernhomestead!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tina Maskowski says

    Thank you for this very informative article. I wanted to know how helpful it is for kids to consume it.

    Reply

    • Victoria says

      We have found it very useful for our son as he healed from gut issues that were created after medical issues during his first week of life on the outside of the womb. We make soups with it, or cook heritage grains (after soaking) in the broth to help him be more willing to consume it.

      Reply

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Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Beef or Chicken!) (2024)

FAQs

Can you mix beef and chicken bones for bone broth? ›

Making broth at home doesn't just save you money, either. It also allows you to control the flavor and consistency of your broth. I, for one, don't like drinking straight beef broth. Instead, I prefer a mix of beef and chicken bones for a less meaty flavor.

Which is better for bone broth chicken or beef? ›

Beef bones are more dense than chicken bones, which yields a higher concentration of minerals and collagen compared to chicken. The high concentration of minerals may help boost energy levels and provide extra nourishment.

What is the best meat for bone broth? ›

Traditional recipes recommend using bones rich in marrow and flavor, such as beef marrow bones, oxtails, beef feet or beef neck bones.

What are the best bones to use for homemade bone broth? ›

To add nutritional value, use a variety of bones: marrow bones, oxtail, knuckles, and feet. Adding vinegar is important because it helps pull all of the valuable nutrients out of the bones and into the water, which is ultimately what you will be consuming.

Can you overcook bone broth? ›

Canora cautions against overcooking your bone broth, which can actually seriously hamper the flavor. Once you go past the 16-hour mark or so, “you start breaking down the bone itself and it starts infusing a bad flavor to your broth,” he explains.

Can you cook bone broth for too long? ›

Typically, bone broth simmers for a surprisingly long period of time. Cooking it for 12 hours produces a deeply flavorful and excellent result, but it's not uncommon to let bone broth cook for 24 or even 36 hours—at which point the bones begin to crumble, and their nutrients and proteins seep into the broth.

Is it OK to drink bone broth every day? ›

"The use of bone broth daily has been shown to decrease appetite due to the high protein content, thus many have noticed weight loss as a side effect," Litt says. However, for this reason, bone broth should not be used daily by children and pregnant women, she adds.

What is the healthiest bone broth? ›

Our Recommendations
  • Best Overall: FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best for Sipping: Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best Lower Sodium: Pacific Foods Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best Budget: Zoup Good, Really Good Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best for On-the-Go: Bare Bones Bone Broth Instant Powdered Beverage Mix (Variety)
Jan 4, 2024

Can you drink too much bone broth? ›

While bone broth is generally considered safe to consume, there are some potential risks to be aware of. Lead contamination. Some studies show elevated levels of lead in bone broths, which can be harmful to health if consumed in large amounts.

Is Swanson bone broth real bone broth? ›

It starts with beef and chicken bones and the perfect mixture of vegetables and herbs to create a Bone Broth with full-bodied flavor and naturally occurring collagen protein*.

Which bone broth has the most collagen? ›

Beef has more collagen per gram of protein

Beef bone broth also has slightly more glycine and proline. These are two amino acids that make up collagen, along with hydroxyproline and arginine. Chicken broth still has collagen, however it is around 10% less per serving than beef.

What is the downside of bone broth? ›

"Depending on how it's made or what's in it, (bone broth) could have large amounts of sodium. That's the only downside," says Zumpano. Some types of bone broth can pack up to 500 milligrams of sodium per cup, which can add up quickly.

How long should you boil bones for bone broth? ›

When the pot boils, turn the heat down to low and simmer for 16 to 18 hours. Skim the surface again as needed when you check on the pot during the cooking period. At the end of the cooking period, scoop out and discard the solids and pour the broth through a fine mesh sieve. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Why is bone broth so expensive? ›

The ingredients that go into bone broth are typically not expensive. Animal bones, vegetables, and herbs are not highly priced ingredients. However, if the broth is made from quality ingredients and time is taken to roast the bones and simmer them for a day or longer, it can be a labor-intensive process.

How do you make bone broth fast? ›

Quite simply, it's a fast that involves drinking bone broth throughout the day instead of eating food. According to one of our incredible practitioners, Ali Miller RD, LD, CDE, "A bone broth fast is a type of modified intermittent fast that entails consuming bone broth several times per day as a replacement for meals."

Can you mix chicken broth and beef bone broth? ›

Generally speaking, you will probably want to keep beef, pork, and chicken bones separate so you can have each of the three types of broth. There is nothing wrong with mixing them, but you may want to preserve the differences in taste.

Can you mix animal bones for broth? ›

Start with good bones. This can be beef, pork, chicken, lamb and, don't forget the fish or shellfish! You can use just one or a mix of any but for this recipe we're focusing on beef. Note that broth made from industrially-raised animal's bones tends to never gel, no matter how long you cook it.

Can you mix chicken and beef together? ›

No problem for stewing the meats together or mixing ground/minced though. If you are talking about cooking both at the same time, it is possible, but it depends upon the form of the beef and chicken you are cooking, and if you wanted them to be done at the same time. ...

Can you mix bone broth with anything? ›

Adding spices and herbs are easy ways to make your tastiest bone broth while boosting the nutrition at the same time. Dried herbs and spices works well if you're in a pinch. However, nothing beats fresh herbs and spices. Herbs are particularly great if you are fasting with bone broth.

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