Bone Broth Recipe: How to Make Nourishing Bone Broth

If you’re looking for a simple recipe to make a nutrient-dense broth, this bone broth recipe is the perfect place to start. Packed with amino acids, collagen, and minerals, bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse you can enjoy with this recipe.

The Instant Pot makes this the easiest way to whip up a batch of bone broth, but we’ll also walk through stovetop and slow cooker methods for those who prefer a tech-free approach. Whether you’re new to bone broth or a seasoned pro, this guide will have you enjoying a warm mug of bone broth in no time.

Why Make Your Own Bone Broth?

Making homemade bone broth allows you to control the quality of the ingredients. Using animal bones like beef bones, chicken carcasses, or even pork bones from a local butcher means you’re creating a broth loaded with nutrients that store-bought options can’t match.

Not only is it a great way to reduce waste by repurposing leftover bones, but you’ll also save tons on your grocery bill if you’ve been buying pre-made versions.

Where to Get Bones for Bone Broth

Use the Bone-In Cuts

If you aren’t raising meat for yourself, you might wonder where to even get bones for making bone broth.

When you think about it, many of the meat options for sale at your local grocery store are “boneless”. Not only are boneless cuts often more expensive, but you’re missing out on the opportunity for making your own bone broth at home!

Consider opting for bone-in cuts of chicken breast or thighs, but even buying whole chickens can save even more.

If you’ve never worked with a whole chicken before, read my post “How to Break Down a Whole Chicken” that will teach you all about how to break it down and the full cost-savings.

Purchase an Animal Share from a Local Farmer

If you’re looking to make pork or beef bone broth, you can follow the same tips above. Another option is to consider purchasing a beef or pork share where you would be entitled to 1/2 or 1/4 of the animal; including the bones!

If you aren’t familiar with a local farmer yet, you can check out the databases at Eat Wild or Local Harvest

Visit a Local Butcher

Local butchers are another great resource for finding meat bones at an affordable cost.

Many people don’t know how easy it is to use these nutritious ingredients, and so they are often discarded and forgotten about.

What You’ll Need to Make Bone Broth

Ingredients

• Preferred Bones: Use chicken bones, beef marrow bones, or pork bones. Knuckle bones, chicken feet, or short ribs are excellent choices for adding extra collagen. I often use only one type of meat per batch (for example: all chicken bones or all beef bones) so that I can select a specific broth for specific applications and recipes. However, a mix of bones does produce a more complex and flavorful broth, so try both ways to find your favorite!
• Filtered water: Enough water to cover the bones in your cooking vessel.

Note: the following ingredients are optional add-ins. I choose to only use bones and water in my bone broths, so that I have more control in how I use them later on.

For example, if I want to give one of my dogs some broth, I wouldn’t want to give them one that was made with onions or garlic or added salt.

I also love to make Bone Broth Hot Chocolate, so I don’t want any extra ingredients used in making the broth for that application.

However, if you want to make your bone broth as a soup base, or as a drink to sip, the below ingredients are delicious additions.

• (optional) Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons to help extract nutrients from the connective tissue and bones. Don’t worry if you don’t have this on hand, your broth will still turn out great!
• (optional) Vegetables: Carrots, celery, and onions for added flavor if desired. I usually make my broths with just the bones so that they are more versatile. Also, if you plan on sharing broth with your dogs, be sure to not include things like onions, garlic, or other ingredients that may be poisonous to them.
• (optional) Fresh herbs: Bay leaves, parsley, and thyme.
• (optional) Sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Equipment

• Instant Pot / electric pressure cooker, Crock Pot or Large Stock Pot – for cooking the bone broth.
• Strainer – to strain the bones from the finished bone broth.
• Storage Containers – mason jars, plastic storage containers, or even ziplock bags.

How to Make Bone Broth in the Instant Pot

Step 1: Roast the Bones

For a deep, rich flavor, roast your bones in a roasting pan at 400°F for 30–40 minutes. This step is optional but highly recommended for enhancing the broth’s taste.

If you are saving bones from meals you’ve already cooked, you don’t need to roast them again. Roasting the bones is just for uncooked bones.

Step 2: Prepare the Instant Pot

Place your roasted bones into the Instant Pot along with your vegetables, herbs, and apple cider vinegar if using.

Add filtered, cold water until the bones and veggies are just covered, but don’t exceed the pot’s maximum fill line.

Step 3: Pressure Cook

Depending on the Instant Pot you have, press the soup/broth function or the high pressure function and cook for 4-12 hours. (My soup button only allows for 4 hour increments, so I do that for 3 rounds)

Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the lid.

Step 4: Strain and Store

Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove any solids and allow it to cool to room temperature.

If you notice your batch of broth is particularly fatty (the somewhat clear layer at the top), you can refrigerate it overnight so that the fat solidifies and remove it in the morning. Save the fat for future cooking!

Chicken fat is also known as schmaltz, pork fat is lard, and beef fat is tallow. All of these are delicious ingredients!

Once cool, transfer to mason jars or your preferred airtight container.

Enjoy!

Other Cooking Methods

How to cook Bone Broth on the Stove

1. Place bones, (optional) veggies, and (optional) herbs in a large stockpot. Add enough water to cover the bones and (optional) a splash of apple cider vinegar.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low simmer.
3. Cook for 12–24 hours, skimming impurities off the surface occasionally if needed.

How to Cook Bone Broth in a Slow Cooker

1. Place bones, (optional) veggies, and (optional) herbs in your crock pot or slow cooker. Cover with water and (optional) add apple cider vinegar.
2. Cook on low heat for 18–24 hours.

Tips for the Best Bone Broth

• Use the best bones you can find, such as those from a local farm or butcher. A mix of bones ensures a flavorful and gelatin-rich broth.
• Don’t add too much water; covering the bones is enough. Adding too much water can dilute the flavor and won’t result in a jiggly final product.
• Consider adding a parmesan rind or a bay leaf for a unique flavor twist.

How to Store Bone Broth

My favorite way to store bone broth is to pressure can it so that it is shelf-stable and ready for me any time without planning.

I have a full tutorial on Pressure Canning Bone Broth if you would like to give it a try!

Bone broth also freezes well, so it’s ideal for meal prep. Store it in airtight containers or straight-sided, shoulder-less mason jars, leaving an inch of space to allow for expansion.

You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for easy single-serving portions.

Reheating: Warm your broth on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave for a minute or so.

Uses for Homemade Bone Broth

• Bone Broth Hot Chocolate
• One Pot Turkey Chili and Biscuits
• Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup
• 3 Ingredient Gravy

Frequently Asked Questions

Sharing is caring!