Homemade Bone Broth

 Our weather lately has been sunny and nice!  It isn't the usual thing to have so much sun in February- I am thankful for it!  The winds can still be chilly, but my kids are loving outside time that isn't so bundled up.  They have been trying out their new jump ropes this morning- I have mixed reviews from them.

Even though winter is usually defined by lots of hot soups and warm comfort meals, bone broth isn't limited to one season.  As you may think, the main use people have for bone broth is the stock base of soups and stews.  For as many people as you meet, I'm sure there are that many (or more) recipes for their favorite chicken noodle soup... or beef stew... or chili!  

But, soups don't necessarily need a recipe.  If you include a few basics, you can change the recipe to what your family likes to eat.  I have mentioned before about having some root veggies, a protein, broth, and spices for your basic soup!  For example, chicken soup could be as simple as: chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, S and P, cumin, and garlic (fresh or powder) added to your homemade bone broth.  Sound easy?

Homemade bone broth can be as simple as cooking a chicken, taking the meat off of the bone, and adding those bones and skin back to the pot with a few things, simmering, and putting into jars!  Let me tell you how I make bone broth and you can tweak things to your own liking.

Every 1-2 weeks, I cook a whole chicken in the crock pot.  Since we raise our own meat birds, I have them butchered and packaged whole because it is the most cost effective packaging.

  

1) Thaw the chicken, place into the crock pot, and cook on low (or high if I need it quickly) until the meat falls off the bone.  After letting it cool for easy handling, debone the chicken and save all of the meat. I raised these birds, right?  So, I want everything I'm supposed to get!  Once I have the meat, I put the bones, skins, etc back into the crock pot.  

Since I cook from scratch has often as possible, I save my veggie scraps (peels, ends, leaves) in a freezer bag in my freezer.  These come in handy anytime I make bone broth.

2) Add freezer scraps to the bones in the crock pot.

3) Add about 1 teaspoon of whole peppercorns (optional).

4) Add 2-3 tablespoons (Tbsp) apple cider vinegar (ACV).  This is an important step!  The vinegar helps to release the gelatin inside the bones, causing your bone broth to gel!  Gelatinous bone broth is the most nutritious for us!

5) Fill the remainder of the crock pot with hot water (the amount of water isn't necessarily important, but as their are different sizes of pots, I would say my rule of thumb is 1 chicken carcass per 1/2-1 gallon finished broth).

6) Let the crock pot cook on low overnight (or 8-12 hours).  It can go for longer!  But, overnight is my favorite way of making.

7) The next morning, turn off the pot and let it cool several hours.  You want to be able to handle the broth without burning yourself and it doesn't get too cool for safe eating in that amount of time.

8) Place a colander/strainer over a large bowl and empty the large pieces of bone and vegetable into it.  I like using a small strainer that sits on top of my jars to strain smaller pieces as I pour.

9) Pour your bone broth into jars (I use half gallon), being careful not to slosh.  Discard all bones/veggies scraps.  Note: do not add bone or meat to compost piles.

10) Let your broth cool a bit before adding to the refrigerator.  

It's that easy!  Now, some may wonder about canning broth- yes!  Find any bone broth canning recipes in up-to-date USDA approved canning books.  Again, Melissa K Norris is a favorite of mine!  You can also freeze bone broth.  Warning: in order to freeze broth, first refrigerate it so its much colder than room temp, otherwise the jars might bust... I have lost many jars this way.  You also want to leave 2" headspace in jars and only sit the lids on top without tightening them until completely frozen.  Freezing in quart bags works also.  Lay flat to freeze for easier thawing.

Now let’s talk for a minute about what you can use your broth for.  One of our favorite uses is in making rice.  Instead of adding water, substitute with your bone broth!  We love to add a few simple spices and herbs as well as finally adding some goat cheese when it has finished cooking.  Yum!  

You can add broth to any soups, stews, chilis.  You can add to bean recipes or curries. You can even use in hot chocolate, though I have never tried this. Some people will cook their pasta in broth instead of water. And, of course, you can sip it also. 

This nutrient dense food is a great addition to your ‘from scratch’ cooking. Easy to make at home and healthier than store bought, homemade bone broth is definitely one to add to your skills in any stage of life, any age, and any place you live! Bonus: you have all that delicious chicken to eat sometime as well!