This marrowy turkey bone broth is savory & packed with flavor. Use it for everything from soups, stews, stewed meats, & creamy risottos!
Homemade turkey bone broth is the perfect way to use up any veggie scraps you’ve accumulated throughout the week and reduce food waste. Instead of throwing them away, place them in a plastic storage bag as you go and freeze them. When you’re ready, simply dump them in the pot!
Note: You want to use roasted turkey bones for bone broth – not raw ones – for their flavor. Whip up our spatchcock turkey or roast turkey recipe and use the carcass to make this broth!
Bone broth has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. Made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue in water for many hours, bone broth contains nutrients like collagen, amino acids, and minerals that support gut health, joint function, immunity and more. But when it comes to making your own nourishing bone broth at home, not all bones are created equal. Turkey necks in particular have emerged as a top choice for DIY bone broth.
In this complete guide, we’ll explore why turkey necks make an excellent addition to bone broth and how to use them for maximum flavor and nutrition. Whether you’re new to broth-making or a seasoned pro, read on to learn if turkey necks deserve a spot in your next batch!
What Are Turkey Necks?
Turkey necks come from the neck region of turkeys They contain bone, cartilage, connective tissue, and meat Turkey necks tend to be inexpensive, meaty, and packed with collagen. This makes them ideal for slow cooking into bone broth.
You can find raw turkey necks easily at many grocery stores especially during the holiday season. Look for them fresh or frozen near other turkey products. When buying opt for necks that are firm with no unpleasant odors.
Why Use Turkey Necks for Bone Broth?
There are several key reasons why turkey necks make a smart choice for DIY bone broth:
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Rich in collagen and gelatin: Turkey necks contain abundant collagen that breaks down into gelatin when simmered, providing gut-healing and joint-supporting properties.
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Nutrient density: In addition to collagen, turkey necks provide minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and chondroitin sulfate that promote bone health.
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Affordability: Turkey necks tend to cost just a few dollars per pound, making them budget-friendly for regular broth making.
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Meaty texture: Turkey necks yield tender, flavorful meat when cooked that adds body and richness to the finished broth.
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Flavor: Turkey necks have a deep, savory taste that infuses the broth with satisfying flavor perfect for sipping or cooking.
So if you’re looking for an ingredient that checks all the boxes for nutrition, cost, and taste, turkey necks are hard to beat!
How to Make Turkey Neck Bone Broth
Making nourishing bone broth with turkey necks is simple. Just follow these basic steps:
1. Roast the necks. Roasting develops flavor and releases fat from the necks. Roast at 400°F for 30-60 minutes until nicely browned.
2. Simmer in water. Place roasted necks in a pot and cover with water by 2-3 inches. Add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to help extract nutrients.
3. Simmer for 12-24 hours. Keep heat low and simmer for at least 12 hours, ideally 24. Top off with water as needed.
4. Strain and cool. Once finished, strain out the solids. Allow broth to cool so fat can solidify and be removed.
5. Use or store. Turkey neck broth keeps 5 days refrigerated or 6 months frozen. Use it in recipes or as a hot drink.
For maximum flavor and nutrition, also add aromatics like onions, garlic, carrots and celery when simmering. You can combine turkey necks with other turkey parts too.
Health Benefits of Turkey Neck Bone Broth
Drinking turkey neck broth provides a mega-dose of vital nutrients and compounds linked to the following wellness perks:
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Joint support: Collagen relieves joint inflammation and repairs cartilage damage.
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Gut healing: Glycine and gelatin improve gut barrier integrity and reduce leaky gut.
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Immunity: Minerals like zinc, plus antioxidants, boost immune function.
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Injury recovery: Anti-inflammatory collagen accelerates post-surgery and post-workout healing.
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Youthful skin: Collagen improves skin hydration, elasticity and dermal thickness.
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Better sleep: Compounds like glycine regulate neurotransmitters for deeper, more restorive sleep.
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Muscle preservation: The amino acid profile helps maintain muscle mass as we age.
So sipping turkey neck broth provides full-body benefits from head to toe!
Tips for Using Turkey Neck Broth
Here are some easy ways to take advantage of all the perks of turkey neck bone broth:
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Drink it plain or use as the base for soups, stews, gravies and sauces.
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Use it to braise or simmer meats and veggies to add flavor.
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Cook grains like rice and quinoa in broth instead of water.
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Blend it into smoothies, purees or protein shakes.
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Make bone broth popsicles or ice cubes for portable nutrition.
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Reduce broth to concentrate it into a flavorful glaze or sauce.
With its rich taste and stellar nutrition profile, turkey neck broth is endlessly versatile in sweet and savory recipes.
Finding Turkey Necks for Broth
You can easily find turkey necks to make your own broth at:
- Grocery store poultry sections, often frozen
- Butcher shops or meat markets
- Local farms selling pasture-raised turkeys
- Ethnic food stores and halal markets
For the best quality, look for organic, free-range or pasture-raised turkey necks when possible. Make sure they look and smell fresh.
The Bottom Line
Turkey necks provide an affordable, collagen-rich ingredient that results in nutritious, tasty DIY bone broth. Simmering turkey necks extracts gut-healing gelatin, joint-supporting compounds and minerals that benefit the entire body. Their rich, savory flavor also adds delicious depth to any broth. For your next batch, grab some turkey necks to unlock the maximum benefits of homemade bone broth with minimal effort or cost!
Can you overcook turkey bone broth?
Yes, you can overcook turkey bone broth. If it simmers much longer than 3 hours, it will begin to turn milky and lose its silky texture.
Different Ways to Use Turkey Bone Broth
There are a million and one different ways to use turkey bone broth. You can even drink it straight if that’s your thing!
Is Bone Broth Good For You? – Dr.Berg’s Opinion
FAQ
Can you use turkey neck for bone broth?
Don’t throw away your turkey neck this holiday season! Use it to make Turkey Neck Bone Broth for Dogs! This broth is packed with nutrients and can be the perfect topper to any meal!
Are neck bones good for bone broth?
- High collagen content: Neck bones are packed with connective tissue, which breaks down into collagen when cooked, creating a thick and rich broth.
- Good for both beef and pork: You can use neck bones from both beef and pork to make bone broth.
- Combine with other bones: For a well-rounded broth, consider adding other bones like marrow bones, oxtails, or knuckle bones alongside neck bones.
Do turkey neck bones have collagen?
They are a rich source of collagen, which supports joint health, skin elasticity, and overall connective tissue strength.
What should you not put in bone broth?
Adding too much stuff to your broth: a good broth doesn’t need a bunch of add-ins. I recommend a few aromatics like fresh herbs/herb stems, onion ends, garlic, black peppercorns, and plenty of sea salt. Pro tip: keep the carrots out unless you want a sweeter broth.
Are turkey necks good for bone broth?
Yes, turkey necks are excellent for turkey bone broth. They contain a ton of fat and marrow, making for such a flavorful broth. Where can you get good bones for turkey bone broth? You can get good bones for turkey bone broth from a local trusted butcher – that’s your best bet. You can also use the leftover carcass from a roasted turkey.
What can you do with turkey neck meat?
Turkey neck can be used as a shredded addition to beans, soups, and sauteed greens, or served on the bone, smothered in richly flavored sauce. But the culinary magic doesn’t end there: The simmering liquid used to cook the turkey neck meat becomes rich bone broth, brimming with nutrients.
What is turkey bone broth?
Turkey bone broth is essentially a stock made by simmering roasted turkey bones with water for an extended period typically 8-10 hours or even up to 24 hours. This slow and gentle process extracts the maximum flavor and nutrients from the bones, resulting in a golden, gelatinous broth packed with collagen, glucosamine, and amino acids.
Is turkey bone broth good for You?
The Bottom Line: Both bone broth and stock are delicious and nutritious, but bone broth takes the crown when it comes to extracting the maximum health benefits from your leftover turkey bones. Turkey bone broth is more than just a tasty beverage; it’s a powerhouse of health benefits. Here are just a few reasons to incorporate it into your diet:
What is Turkey Neck good for?
Packed with succulent meat and rich in collagen, they are perfect for making savory stocks, broths, and soups. The meat on turkey necks is also exceptionally tender, with a texture that practically falls off the bone when cooked properly.
What is turkey broth used for?
This long cook time allows the bones and connective tissues to break down, releasing gelatin, minerals like calcium and magnesium, and other nutrients into the broth. The resulting rich, concentrated turkey broth can be used as a base for soups, stews, gravies, and sauces.