Bone Broth Recipe | How To Make Bone Broth

Learn how to make an easy Bone Broth Recipe that's healthy, delicious, and super easy to make. Make it in your Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stovetop.

Why You Should This Homemade Bone Broth Recipe

• Easy. Add the ingredients, cook, and skim the fat.
• Nutritious. High in collagen and great for your gut health.
• Delicious. Extremely flavorful and a great addition to many recipes.
• Low Carb. Delightfully filling and great for a low carb lifestyle.
• Versatile. You can make this in your Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on your stovetop.

Bone Broth is making a comeback, and this Bone Broth Recipe has got to be the easiest way to make it. It has amazing health benefits and it is beyond easy to make inside of your instant pot, slow cooker, or even on your stovetop.

You can make a variety of different bone broth recipes, also known as stock, such as chicken broth or beef broth to name a few.

All it takes is keeping the leftover snippets after you finish preparing a meal and utilizing them in your bone broth. Not only does this help to reduce waste, but stock can be utilized in so many different ways!

What Exactly Is Bone Broth?

Well to put it simply, it is the broth that comes from the animal bones. As mentioned earlier, these bones can come from chicken, pork or beef, and once the broth is prepared it is often used in soups, sauces, gravies, and even sometimes just drunk alone by itself because of its purported health benefits, as well as its wonderful taste.

What Are The Benefits Of Bone Broth?

Until I decided to start making my own bone broth, I never ever would have guessed how many amazing benefits it has.

Some bone broth benefits include the following:

• Helps improve gut health
• Reduces joint pain
• Super high in collagen
• Can improve sleep quality while supporting a healthy immune system
• can increase your bone strength

Drinking this bone broth recipe or incorporating it into your recipes can help increase your overall health without turning your life upside down.

Okay the scientist in me must comment on this. All the benefits claimed are extrapolated. There are no double-blind studies on health outcomes based on bone broth vs. no bone broth.

There are, however, many studies on the benefits of collagen on health. And wouldn't you know it, bone broth has collagen.

So I am optimistic but skeptical about some of the claims, but it has collagen, it has vitamins and minerals, and it tastes good so those are good enough reasons to make it!

It is also good for those following Whole30, Paleo, Keto, or AIP diets.

What Bones are best for Bone Broth?

The more effort you put into finding the perfect bones to add into your bone broth recipe, the more nutrient-dense it will be.

It is best practice to use a variety of bones such as:

• Large Bones
• Short Ribs
• Feet
• Knuckles
• Neck
• Oxtails

Since those aren't always easy to get, I often use:

• Chicken Bones
• Chicken Feet

I use these because they have a very high collagen content.

Using a variety of bones will ensure maximum flavor potential along with an increased amount of collagen, nutrients, and minerals.

How Do I Store Bone Broth Ingredients?

It's really easy. I usually use a sturdy Ziplock freezer bag and just keep adding in a variety of bones and leftover vegetables until I have enough accumulated in a bag to making my bone broth recipe. It’s a great way to prevent scraps from going to waste.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 3 pounds Bones (large bones, short ribs, feet, knuckles, neck, or oxtails)- The foundation of bone broth. These bones contain collagen, marrow, and connective tissue that, when simmered for hours, release gelatin and minerals, giving the broth its signature body, silky texture, and deep umami flavor. Using a mix of joint bones and marrow bones provides both richness and structure.
  8 cups Water- The cooking liquid that extracts all the nutrients and flavors from the bones and vegetables. It should fully cover the bones while leaving space for simmering.
• 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar- Helps draw out minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus from the bones during the simmering process.
• 1–2 cups Mixed Vegetables (such as onions, celery, and carrots, cut into 2-inch chunks)- These vegetables infuse the broth with subtle sweetness, depth, and complexity. Onions add savory richness, carrots lend gentle sweetness, and celery brings balance with its herbal flavor.
• 1 Bay Leaf- Adds a mild, earthy aroma that enhances the savory undertones of the broth.

How To Make Bone Broth In The Instant Pot

You are at the point where you finally have enough scraps from vegetables and bones to make your bone broth recipe and you’d like to use your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.

So here's how to make bone broth in your pressure cooker.

1. Gather bones. Gather the variety of bones referred to earlier.
2. Add water to about 2 inches above the bones. If you add too much, you may get a very watery broth. Remember you can always add more later to the cooked bone broth, but removing too much water is a total time suck.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar. This allegedly helps bring out all of those super nutrient benefits from within the bones. I figure it can't hurt, so I add it.
4. Add other flavorings. I like to use salt, bay leaves, a large onion chopped in quarters, and a carrot or two.
5. Cook. Pressure cook on high pressure for 2 hours. I haven't seen any additional benefits in a 3 or 4-hour pressure cook, so this is the most efficient way to do it.
6. Cool. After those two hours are up, you just let the pressure release slowly by itself.
7. Refrigerate and strain. Strain the broth into mason jars using a fat skimmer. Put the broth in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the disk of fat that accumulates on top and discard. Now, you have this briny, tasty bone broth ready to use.
8. Gelled broth. You will likely have a jellied broth and this is perfect. If you don't, you used too much water, or you used bones without a lot of collagen. But don't despair because that broth still has all the benefits of bone broth.

Make Slow Cooker Bone Broth

No Instant Pot? No problem. Here's how to make bone broth in your slow cooker. This bone broth recipe will just take a little longer with this method.

1. Gather bones. Gather the variety of bones referred to earlier.
2. Add water to about 2 inches above the bones. If you add too much, you may get a very watery broth. Remember you can always add more later to the cooked bone broth, but removing too much water is a total time suck.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar. This allegedly helps bring out all of those super nutrient benefits from within the bones. I figure it can't hurt, so I add it.
4. Add other flavorings. I like to use salt, bay leaves, a large onion chopped in quarters, and a carrot or two.
5. Cook. Slow cook on low for 18 hours minimum, and up to 24 hours. I've seen people do this for 72 hours but really, I don't think you get that much more out of it after the first 24 hours.
6. Cool the broth until it's safe enough to pour into jars or containers.
7. Refrigerate and strain. Strain the broth into mason jars using a fat skimmer. Put the broth in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the disk of fat that accumulates on top and discard. Now, you have this briny, tasty bone broth ready to use.
8. Gelled broth. You will likely have a jellied broth and this is perfect. If you don't, you used too much water, or you used bones without a lot of collagen. But don't despair because that broth still has all the benefits of bone broth.

How To Make Stove Top Bone Broth

While you surely can use a stovetop to make bone broth, it is a very time-consuming process. Not necessarily hands-on, but it needs to simmer on the stovetop anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly want my stove running for that long, plus who will surely be home that long?

If you have to run an errand or maybe in need of a few groceries for the recipe you are making for dinner, someone must be home to keep an eye on the stove.

Now if you do not have an Instant Pot or slow cooker, this method definitely will give you the same end result of a delicious and nutritious bone broth recipe, but just want to be transparent on how different the process is.

Why Did My Bone Broth Not Gel?

• Not enough collagen. You may have chosen bones without a lot of collagen. It is for this reason that I always throw in a few chicken wings or chicken feet if you can find them.
• Too much water. I find it easier to use less water in the cooking, and thin the stock later, rather than contend with a too-liquid broth. Use enough water to properly cover the hones, and come up about an inch or two above them.
• Too short of a cooking time. IF you didn't cook your bone broth for long enough, you may not have extracted all teh goodness out of those bones, causing it to not gel.

If there is one thing I have learned through making this bone broth recipe, is that even if it doesn’t gel, never throw it away. It still contains its amazing benefits, just in a tad shorter supply.

How To Use Bone Broth

There are so many different ways to use the delicious bone broth you just created! As mentioned before it is perfect for soups, sauces, gravies and even to drink by itself. Here are some of the ways in which I use it:

• Use it instead of water to make rice.
• Replace the water in beef stew.
• Use it for Keto Stuffing.
• Use some to flavor Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
• Drink by itself--this may be my favorite use of bone broth. Honestly, the flavor gets hidden when it is incorporated into other dishes. You still get all the nutrients of course, but you've muted the flavor a little. But drunk by itself, it can be a very comforting drink.

What If I Leave My Bone Broth In The Instant Pot Overnight?

This is a question that is full of debate. For some, they believe that after two hours of being out at room temperature, it should be thrown out or they follow the whole “when in doubt, throw it out” phrase.

However, for some, they feel that is a complete waste of excellent bone broth. The main concern is whether or not any airborne bacteria made their way through the tiny vent where the pressure releases.

I like to just pressure cook the broth for another minute under pressure. This should kill anything that grew in there, and your bone broth recipe will be usable again. Transfer it into your favorite airtight container to be put into the refrigerator. 

Can You Freeze Bone Broth? 

Yes, you sure can. I love these Souper Cubes when it comes to freezing foods, especially bone broth.

Souper Cubes are these adorable little sturdy containers that have separate little compartments that fit up to 1 cup of bone broth and because of their unique design, they help to prevent spills, create an abundance of freezer space, and are perfect for stacking.

Will This Make My House Smell?

Well, this will depend on the person, unfortunately. For most individuals, chicken broth is a pleasantly sweet smell, while beef broth can be a bit more dissatisfying in scent, but the taste will leave you making it again and again.

One way to help make sure that both the taste and smell of this bone broth recipe are enjoyable is to just be sure that all of the ingredients have not expired. If you put the scraps in the freezer immediately after you were done with the recipe, or you turned around and made your broth right away, then you should be all good!

What If I Don't Want To Make My Own Bone Broth

What's the downside of making your own bone broth?

• Smell. Even with the Instant Pot, it does make your house smell of meat and bones.
• Quality of bones. You are cooking the heck out of those bones. You really want the best quality bones you can get. I'm not a huge organic and grass-fed insister because not everyone has access to or can afford those, but for bone broth, I do think it matters.
• Difficulty in getting bones. I find it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get bones from my local grocery store. I ask each time and I get them sometimes. Of course, you can always cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot and use that for broth but if you want something different, it could be hard.
• Messy and time-consuming. There's no denying it. It's an involved and often messy process if you spill while straining, etc. The longer cook times do require some pre-planning.

Buy Good Quality Broth

If you don't want to make your own bone broth, I have a great solution for you. You can get delicious, well-made bone broth from Kettle and Fire right HERE. They use organic bones and the broth is quite delicious and nutritious. They also have a complete keto-friendly soup bundle that you can get HERE.

And if you're not interested in a bundle but would rather choose your own bone broths, you can get 15% off applied at check out by clicking HERE or use the code "TWOSLEEVERS" at checkout.

Don’t Just Pick Any Bones Or Meat

When you are choosing your meat, never just pick any kind. It is always best to go organic in order to avoid any toxins or pesticides.

While this can be harder to do depending on where you live, the extra 15 minutes it will take you to drive into town will be well worth the lasting effects that poor ingredients could potentially have on your health.

Looking For Some Recipes To Use Your Homemade Bone Broth In?

• Instant Pot Pot Roast - A deliciously classic pot roast in less than an hour.
• Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup - Low carb, gluten-free and easy.
• Caldo de Pollo - a delicious soup that’s bursting with Mexican flavors.
• Easy Shrimp Scampi - Low carb, fast, and so easy.
• Air Fryer Keto Shrimp Scampi - Just 8 minutes start to finish!
• Instant Pot Clam Chowder with Shrimp - a truly comforting and easy dish.
• Corn Chowder Recipe - Perfectly sweet, salty and creamy.
• Cioppino Seafood Stew - A simple seafood stew that is BURSTING with flavor.

Now that I gave you all the good, bad and in-between about making your very own bone broth recipe, it is time for you to take on this adventure! I hope your home is filled with an amazing aroma and your bone broth turns out beautifully and can be used in a variety of recipes!

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