Find out how easy it is to make Turkey Stock from your Thanksgiving turkey bones! All you need is a clean turkey carcass and some herbs and vegetables that you probably already had from cooking the turkey. You will love making your next soup with this tasty turkey stock! Originally posted November 21, 2012
The people in the apartment above us vacuum about once a week. (It’s pretty loud because the insulation in our apartment building is practically nil. “Are they vacuuming again?” I ask myself every time. Then I quickly remind myself, “Yes, Karen. Most people vacuum more than once every three months, like you.”
Anyway. Now that you’re feeling so good about yourself compared to me. We have news! We just found out we are having a baby BOY!! I’m still in complete shock. I was convinced it was a girl. (I think I just told myself that because I didn’t want to have to repaint Charlotte’s room. Also, I thought Charlotte was a boy, so my mom’s intuition might just be stuck in Opposite-Day mode all the time. We are so excited to have a little boy!.
For now I’m focusing on doing some toddler training before the baby gets here. It was someone else’s idea to let our toddlers sleep on small trampolines. Charlotte loves to jump in her crib, which makes it not quite as good of a place for a time-out. You would not believe the height she gets. I can tell she’s awake from her nap not by hearing her cry, but by hearing her mattress springs moving around. One of these days she is going to go sailing over the edge. I should start lining the floor with pillows.
Have you guys decorated for Christmas yet? I broke down over the weekend. There is nothing better than a lit Christmas tree, yes, even the week before Thanksgiving!!.
But don’t worry Thanksgiving, I am still SUPER excited about you. When I cooked my first turkey last week, I wanted to get as much as I could from it, so I made turkey stock. It was super easy. Throw everything in a pot and forget about it for a few hours. And man is it good! This stock makes the BEST soup. My favorite is to use the stock to make this Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Here’s what you’re going to need, hopefully you have most of this stuff leftover from your Thanksgiving shopping!.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us look forward to the leftovers almost as much as the big meal itself One of the best ways to make the most of your turkey carcass is to simmer it into a rich, nourishing bone broth
Turkey bone broth extracts nutrients like collagen, gelatin, minerals and amino acids from the bones, skin, cartilage and connective tissue. This nutrient-dense broth can be enjoyed on its own or used as the base for soups, stews and sauces
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to making turkey bone broth at home.
Ingredients
The basic ingredients for turkey bone broth are
- Turkey carcass and bones
- Water
- Aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, celery and garlic
- Herbs and spices (optional)
- Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (optional)
Turkey Bones: The leftover carcass, wings, neck and backbones from your roasted turkey provide great flavor and collagen. You can also ask your butcher for extra bones like feet, wings and necks to add even more nutrients.
Water: Use good quality filtered water. The minerals in hard water can negatively affect the broth over long cooking times.
Vegetables: Onions, carrots, celery and garlic add flavor, nutrients and color.
Herbs and spices: Try thyme, rosemary, parsley, bay leaves, peppercorns.
Vinegar or lemon juice: Acidity helps extract nutrients from the bones.
Equipment
You’ll need:
- Large stock pot or slow cooker
- Slotted spoon
- Fine mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth (optional)
- Storage containers
A heavy stock pot or slow cooker is ideal, as lighter pots may cause the broth to simmer too rapidly. A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth will help you strain out all the tiny bits after simmering. And storage containers are necessary for storing the broth.
Prep the Ingredients
Chop the aromatic vegetables into large chunks. Smash the garlic cloves. If using herbs, tie them together with kitchen twine so they’re easy to remove.
Place the turkey carcass along with any skin, pan drippings and bones into the pot. Add the vinegar or lemon juice. Cover with cold filtered water until all the bones are submerged by 1-2 inches.
Simmer the Broth
On the stovetop: Bring the broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low. Let simmer for at least 6 hours, or up to 24 hours. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
In a slow cooker: Cook on low for 10-24 hours.
Add the vegetables: Add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic during the last 45-60 minutes.
Add fresh herbs: Tie herbs in a bundle and add during the last 10-15 minutes if you want a light, fresh flavor. Avoid dried herbs as they may make the broth bitter.
Simmering for a long time extracts more gelatin, collagen and nutrients. But even a shorter simmer of 6-12 hours will give you a flavorful, nourishing broth.
Strain and Cool the Broth
Once cooked, remove the bones and vegetables with a slotted spoon. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl or pot. For a clearer broth, line the sieve with cheesecloth.
Cool the broth quickly by placing the bowl or pot in an ice bath. Once cooled, transfer to storage containers and refrigerate overnight. As it chills, the fat will rise to the top and solidify.
Remove the Fat and Store
Once chilled, scrape off and discard the hardened fat. Transfer the gelled broth to smaller containers for storage.
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze for up to 6 months. Leave room at the top for expansion.
Canning is also an option for long term storage up to a year. Follow proper canning instructions.
Tips for the Best Turkey Bone Broth
- Use a mix of bones including feet, neck, back and wings for more collagen
- Add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to help extract nutrients
- Simmer as long as possible, up to 24 hours, for maximum benefits
- Keep the heat very low, just barely simmering
- Skim off foam and fat periodically as it cooks
- Strain well through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Rapidly cool the strained broth to prevent bacterial growth
Health Benefits of Turkey Bone Broth
Bone broth offers an array of potential health benefits:
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Joint health: The collagen may help reduce joint inflammation and repair connective tissue.
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Gut health: It can help heal leaky gut by lining the stomach. The gelatin may also aid digestion.
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Immunity: Contains amino acids like proline and glycine that support immune function. Also provides easily absorbed minerals.
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Skin, hair and nails: The collagen may give your hair, skin and nails a boost.
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Sleep and mood: The amino acid glycine can help improve sleep quality and regulate mood.
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Injury recovery: The amino acids aid in recovery from injury, illness or surgery.
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Hydration: The electrolytes help replenish fluids.
Uses for Turkey Bone Broth
This versatile broth can be used in place of store-bought broth or stock in any recipe. Here are some delicious ways to use it:
- Sip it straight as a hot drink
- Make soup or stew using it as the base
- Use it to braise or roast meats and vegetables
- Cook rice, quinoa or oatmeal in it
- Add it to gravy or sauces for extra flavor
- Use it to simmer beans or lentils
- Add it to stuffing or dressing
- Make a turkey and vegetable skillet meal
- Whisk in some cornstarch to make a nourishing savory jelly
Its mild turkey flavor works well in a wide variety of dishes. Try using turkey bone broth any time a recipe calls for chicken or vegetable broth.
Make Your Own Turkey Bone Broth
As you can see, making turkey bone broth at home is easy, economical and incredibly nourishing. Simmer the bones, strain, store and start enjoying the bounty of this liquid gold.
Experiment with cooking times and ingredient additions until you find a method you love. Soon you may find yourself looking forward more to the turkey bone broth than the turkey itself!
Ingredients for Turkey Bone Broth
- Turkey carcass, picked over. Mine was 12-15 pounds
- If you have turkey neck, great! If not, that’s fine too.
- Giblets, if you have them (it’s ok if you don’t)
- Extra turkey fat, if you have it (it’s okay if you don’t).
- Onion
- 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
- Large carrots
- Celery, leaves included
- Parsley
- Sage
- Fresh rosemary
- Thyme
- Bay leaves
- Whole peppercorns
How to make Turkey Stock
Not hard at all to make turkey stock. It’s one of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving Day evening. Chill on the couch while this simmers in the background, you barely have to babysit it. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it every year. From now on, just remember to buy a little more celery, carrots, onions, and herbs than you need, and you’ll be ready to make turkey stock!
Heat your turkey carcass with any turkey parts you have: neck, giblets, any skin, or leftover turkey drippings. You start by shoving your picked-over turkey carcass into the biggest pot you have. No matter what size pot you have, you might have to cut the carcass up to fit. It’s okay if there’s still some meat on the bones, but know that after 4 hours of boiling, it will be tough and not very tasty. So gather up the meat that you want to eat now and set aside.
Next, add in all your veggies and herbs. Add roughly-chopped onion, carrots, garlic and celery. Add parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. (Feel free to sing along. (Do you know the Simon and Garfunkel song? If not, look it up right away!) Add the peppercorns and bay leaves. There’s no need to be overly particular here. If you are missing an herb or two, don’t sweat it. The onions, celery, and carrots are most important as far as flavor goes.
Add about 4 quarts of water, covering most of the turkey and vegetables. Cover all of it with water. I filled my pot all the way to the top!.
Simmer 2-4 hours.
You will see a small drop in the water level after two to four hours, and the turkey and vegetables will have softened and shrunk. This recipe is pretty easy. I let mine simmer for two to three hours, or until I’m ready to go to bed on Thanksgiving night!!! 2 hours is the minimum, 4 hours will give you a more condensed stock.
Pour the stock through a colander into a large bowl (or two) and separate out the fat. Drain through a colander into a large pot. I think it’s easier to use tongs to get the larger pieces out instead of dumping the whole pot of boiling hot stock all at once.
Put everything in the crock pot and set it to low for 10 to 12 hours. That’s how you make turkey stock! SO easy.
How to Make Roast Turkey Bone Broth on the Stove Top – Turkey Bone Broth Recipe
FAQ
Is bone broth from turkey good for you?
What’s the difference between turkey broth and turkey bone broth?
How long to boil bones for broth?
How long does homemade turkey bone broth last?
How do you make turkey bone broth at home?
Follow these simple steps for making nourishing turkey bone broth at home: Pick the turkey carcass clean. Remove any remaining meat scraps on the bones to use for other dishes. Roast the bones at 400°F for 30 minutes if making broth from an uncooked carcass. Place bones in a large stockpot.
What alternatives to bone broth can a vegetarian take?
There is no major bone broth benefit that needs to be replaced. Vegetable broths will have more vitamins and minerals than bone broth, as well as being tastier.
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.
How do you use leftover turkey bones to make bone broth?
Here’s how to turn your leftover turkey bones into a delicious, savory turkey bone broth: Start by removing any large chunks of leftover meat still left on the turkey carcass. Store these separately for other leftover turkey recipes. Place the turkey in a large pot.
Can You boil 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. Can you boil bones twice for turkey bone broth? No, you cannot boil bones twice for two separate batches of turkey bone broth.
Do you add salt to Turkey bone broth?
Turkey Bone Broth is an easy way to get the most out of those leftover turkey bones after the holidays. I will give you the secret to getting that perfect gel whether you are making it in the slow cooker, stove top, or pressure cooker! I do not add salt to my bone broth since we are using a turkey carcass that has been well seasoned.