How To Make Turkey Bone Broth (Turkey Stock)
Making homemade turkey bone broth is an excellent way to use leftover turkey bones from the holidays. Not only is it delicious, but it also has various health benefits and nutrients. Packed with collagen and gelatin, it supports joint health, promoting flexibility and potentially alleviating inflammation.
With that being said, let’s get started!
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How To Make Homemade Turkey Bone Broth
Homemade Turkey Bone Broth
Equipment
- Large pot
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Jars or other storage container
Ingredients
- 1 Turkey carcass
- Cold water (as needed)
- 2 Yellow onions
- 4 Carrots
- 4-6 Celery Stalks
- 3 Garlic cloves
- Handful of fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage, bay leaves, etc)
- 1 tbsp Black peppercorns optional
- 1/2 Juice of a lemon (optional – depending on the size, it may be around 1 ½ tablespoons of juice)
- Leftover turkey drippings (optional)
Instructions
On The Stovetop
- Place the turkey carcass into a large stock pot. Add in any leftover drippings if you still have them (if not, do not worry! It will still taste great).
- Add in chopped onions, carrots, celery and garlic.
- Add in any herbs, peppercorns and juice of half a lemon (this is optional and can be substituted for white wine or apple cider vinegar).
- Cover the turkey and vegetables with water until the carcass is submerged and covered by 1" of water.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it begins to boil, turn it down to medium-low, where it can simmer for 5 to 6 hours.
- Once the broth is done, strain it using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, making sure to remove all traces of bone and vegetables and let it cool. Once cooled, carefully pour the broth into an airtight container.
In A Slow Cooker
- Add all the ingredients to a large crock pot. Cook on low for a minimum of 12 hours (ideally for 14-16 hours if you can!). Once it is done, strain the broth and let it cool. After it cools, transfer the broth into an airtight container.
Cooking Tips & Substitutions
Keep it simple. If you want to make a simple turkey bone broth, all you need is the turkey carcass and water. Our recipe can give you a more flavorful broth, but the basic version is a good option if you don’t have all the necessary ingredients. You can store the broth for later use and add seasonings and other ingredients to enhance the flavour when you’re ready to use it.
Add salt at the end. As the broth cooks, the water will begin to evaporate, enhancing the flavouring of the broth. Waiting to add salt at the very end helps to avoid it becoming too salty.
Add different herbs and spices. Get creative with your turkey broth and customize it to your liking by swapping out the suggested herbs and vegetables. For a turkey broth that boosts more of a kick, try adding in ginger and crushed red pepper flakes. Get creative and make it your own!
Swap out the lemon juice. It’s perfectly fine if you opt out of the lemon juice when making turkey bone broth. Lemon juice is added to provide the perfect balance of acidity to this recipe. However, if you want to enhance the flavours another way, you can consider using apple cider vinegar or white wine instead.
Ways To Store Turkey Bone Broth
Can Turkey Bone Broth Be Canned?
It is possible to can turkey bone broth, though you will need to use a pressure canner. Water-bath canning is not a safe way to can broth as it does not reach a high enough temperature to ensure it is safe for shelf storage. If you don’t have a pressure canner, consider freezing the broth to extend the shelf life.
Can Turkey Bone Broth Be Frozen?
Freezing turkey bone broth is a great way to extend its shelf life while preserving its nutritional benefits. Freezing turkey bone broth is a convenient option for those who want to make a larger batch and use it over an extended period.
Here are some tips on how to freeze turkey bone broth to preserve its quality.
1. Allow broth to cool. Before freezing, allow the turkey bone broth to cool to room temperature before transferring it to containers and placing it in the freezer.
2. Divide the broth into smaller portions before freezing. This allows you to thaw only the amount you need for a particular recipe, preventing unnecessary reheating and refreezing.
3. Store the broth in airtight and freezer-safe containers. Consider using containers with wide mouths for easy pouring and thawing. Alternatively, you can use freezer bags specifically designed for liquids.
4. Leave headspace when filling containers. Be sure to leave some headspace to allow for the liquid to expand as it freezes. This prevents containers from cracking and leaking.
5. Label and date each container. This helps you keep track of how long the broth has been in the freezer and ensures you use the oldest broth first.
6. Store broth in the freezer for up to 4-6 months. While broth can last in the freezer for up to 6 months, if you want the best flavour, we suggest using them within the first few months.
7. Thawing the broth. When ready to use the frozen turkey bone broth, transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight, then reheat the broth on the stovetop over low to medium heat. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the defrost function on a microwave.
Additional Questions
Can You Use Bone Broth Instead Of Stock?
Bone broth and stock are practically interchangeable when it comes to recipes. Bone broth offers a richer flavour profile and enhanced nutritional benefits due to its higher content of collagen, gelatin, and minerals. Its versatility makes it a great option for various dishes, such as soups, stews, and sauces.
Do I Have To Make Turkey Bone Broth Right Away?
If you don’t have enough time to make bone broth immediately with your leftover turkey carcass, don’t worry! Simply put the carcass in a resealable bag or container that is suitable for freezing and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or 6 months. This way, you can make your broth whenever you are ready.
Can You Reuse Turkey Bones For Another Batch?
You can most definitely reuse turkey bones for another batch of broth. However, it will be significantly weaker each time you make it. To make it less bland, add in additional seasonings and use a soup recipe that has a lot of seasonings, protein and vegetables.
Why Did My Bone Broth Not Gel?
If your turkey bone broth did not gel as expected, there are several factors that can influence the outcome. However, one of the most common reasons is not enough collagen in the broth.
Gelling in broth is primarily due to the presence of collagen, which comes from connective tissues in bones. If your turkey bones had minimal connective tissue or if you didn’t use enough bones relative to the water volume, the collagen content may have been insufficient for gelling.
For a collagen-rich broth, you can increase the acidity levels by adding lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. This helps to break down the bones and release more collagen. Also, simmering the bones for an extended period can aid in the extraction of collagen.
