How to make Bone Broth & Why You Should!
Bone broth is another amazing addition to your immune supporting regimen. Packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals, this rich broth may have the power to transform your health.
What is bone broth?
Bone broth is made by boiling the bones, ligaments, feet and skin of animals such as chicken, beef, fish or lamb. This is done over many hours to create a rich, nutrient dense broth that can be used in soups, sauces or even drunk straight. The prolonged simmering causes the bones to release collagen and other nutrients in a way that is easier for the body to absorb.
Why should you drink bone broth?
In addition to supporting your immune system, bone broth is filled with collagen which helps keep your hair, skin and nails strong and healthy. It has gut healing properties that help to restore the lining of the gut, fight food sensitivities and supports the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics). Our gut and immune system are closely connected, so having a healthy gut helps to strengthen immune function.
Other possible benefits:
-High in vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus
-Supports healthy joints
-Relieves inflammation
-May help balance metabolism
Now that you know about the “why” behind bone broth, lets dive into the HOW!
How To Make Bone Broth At Home
Ingredients in your homemade bone broth:
5 pounds Bones from a healthy animal (beef, chicken, lamb, fish)
2 Carrots, roughly chopped
1 Onion, quartered
2 stalks Celery with leaves, roughly chopped
4 cloves Garlic, roughly chopped
2 Bay Leaves
1 Tbsp Whole peppercorns
1 Tbsp Rosemary
2 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Additional add ins: mushrooms, star anise, cinnamon
Step 1:
If using beef bones, it is very important to blanch your bones first. This removes impurities, blood and coagulated protein leaving you with a tastier, cleaner broth. If using other types of bones, this step is not as important. To blanch: add your bones to a stock pot and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil and boil for 15 minutes. Once complete, drain the water and transfer bones to a roasting pan.
Step 2:
Roast your bones. Roasting brings out the incredible flavor in the bones and meat and that flavor will transfer to your broth! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and roast the bones for 30 minutes. Stir/flip the bones and roast for an additional 15 minutes. You can roast your vegetables too if you prefer!
Step 3:
While the bones are roasting, roughly chop your vegetables and measure your spices. Do this prior to roasting if you would like to roast the vegetables too.
Step 4:
Add your roasted bones, chopped vegetables and spices to a large stock pot. Add enough filtered water to fully submerge all bones and vegetables. Add your apple cider vinegar and allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes. The apple cider vinegar helps to draw out essential nutrients from the bones.
Step 5:
Bring your broth to a boil. Scrape away any foam that rises to the surface. Once foam stops being produced, reduce heat and allow the broth to simmer. I typically simmer for approximately 24 hours total, adding water to cover the bones as needed. At the very least, simmer for 8-12 hours.
Side note: Do not leave on the stove unattended! Remove from heat and store in the fridge while sleeping, then resume simmering when able.
Step 6:
When your broth has completed simmering, allow to cool. It’s important to cool quickly to keep your broth at food safe temperatures. I like to make an ice bath in the sink and submerge my pot in the ice water until it is at a safe handling temp. Lastly, strain your cooled broth through a fine mesh strainer. I like to run it through cheese cloth as well to gather any small particles that made it through the strainer.
Step 7:
Store your bone broth in the fridge for up to 5 days. I personally like to freeze (up to six months) my bone broth in freezer safe mason jars and I pull them out as needed.
FAQs
Can you use a crock pot or instapot?
Yes! I have used both and they work beautifully. Leave in the crock pot for 24 hours with the lid slightly ajar. Add more water as needed to keep the bones covered.
How do I use my bone broth?
My favorite way to consume bone broth is drinking it straight! It is a staple in our house when we are sick, but we drink it regularly to get all of its other amazing benefits. It can also be used to make soups (my favorite is butternut squash soup), sauces, ramen, and more! We even use it as a replacement for water when making rice, quinoa or risotto.
Can I use more than one type of bone?
Yes! I often use a mixture of several different types of bones in my broth. Chicken and beef are our favorite.
I am a vegetarian or vegan. Would a vegetable broth still benefit me?
Yes! Vegetable broth won’t contain the collagen and some of the other properties found in bone broth, but it is still great for your health. I love to make broth using wild mushrooms, which come with their own set of amazing benefits. You will still get tons of vitamins and minerals from vegetable broth and promote healthy digestion.
Interested in learning more about how to keep your immune system healthy? Check out last week’s blog post!