This Slow Cooker “Better Than Botox” Bone Broth is full of natural collagen! Make chicken, pork or beef stock using kitchen scraps and this simple crockpot method.
I have a secret to share with you… I have a mysterious bag living in my freezer – my private stash. Every day I add a little something to it and hide it back away.
It’s not what you think. It’s bones. Chicken bones, beef bones, onion peels, carrot peelings, parsley bits, and celery ends. What normally would be tossed into the garbage is everything you need for a great bone broth in your slow cooker.
I also use this technique for my homemade seafood stock recipe, parmesan broth, and my instant pot bone broth.
Why Make Slow Cooker Bone Broth?
Bone broth is currently uber-popular and taking the nation by storm. It’s being touted as being better than botox, a cellulite reducer, great for arthritis and healing for the digestive tract.
Devotees in New York City buy it by the coffee cup for nearly $9! Kobe Bryant and the entire Lakers team love it to refuel post-game. There’s also a reason that chicken soup has been know for generations as a cold-fighter.
Here in Portland, we recently got our first bone broth bar, Jola Cafe. Like you would with coffee or tea, you can customize your cup, but instead of milk and sugar, seasonings like smoked paprika, garam masala, nutmeg, tabasco, chili oil, and sriracha are added from the self-serve bar.
I love that there’s the option to pick up a cup of this healthy bone broth on the go. However, I prefer to make my bone broth at home, in the slow cooker. It’s so easy and SO much cheaper.
When roasting a chicken, braising short ribs, chopping vegetables, and scrambling eggs throughout the week, add those bones, scraps and (rinsed) eggshells to a large ziploc bag in your freezer. When your baggie is full, empty it into your slow cooker, add water to cover and add a good glug of apple cider vinegar.
The vinegar helps pull the nutrients out of the bones, but don’t worry, you won’t taste it.
What if Bone Broth Doesn’t Gel?
It’s highly desired for your slow cooker bone broth to gel when cooled. This is a sign that it’s got plenty of great collagen and gelatin going on – those goodies that make your skin plump, coat your digestive tract, and cushion your joints.
However, don’t worry if your bone broth doesn’t gel, it’s still got minerals and nutrition galore. It could simply mean that your ratio of water to bones is too great, or the quality of your bones may not be up to par.
For example, conventionally raised chickens don’t have as much collagen in their joints and bones. Marrow rich beef on the other hand, will produce plenty of gelatinous goodness.
How To Use Slow Cooker Bone Broth
I like to enjoy my slow cooker bone broth straight up, in the late morning and late afternoon, like a savory cup of tea. Your slow cooker will provide you with about 4 quarts of broth. It will keep in the fridge for up to five days. You can also use bone broth in recipes, swap it in for any recipe that calls for broth or stock, like making soup or risotto.
How To Freeze Slow Cooker Bone Broth
For longer storage, I like to freeze my bone broth in these silicone ice cube molds. Once the cubes are frozen, I package them up in a large ziploc bag. Each cube is about 1/3 cup of broth.
If I need to thaw some bone broth quickly, it’s easy to just pop a few of these cubes into a small saucepan or into a microwave to thaw them quickly. It’s much faster than thawing an entire mason jar of bone broth.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Slow Cooker Glazed Corned Beef & Cabbage
- Slow Cooker “Better Than Botox” Bone Broth
- Slow Cooker Chipotle Lentil Soup
- Slow Cooker Osso Buco Recipe
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken // Taco Lettuce Wraps
Want to make bone broth even faster? Try this Instant Pot Bone Broth recipe too. Plus, be sure to save those shellfish shells to make this homemade seafood stock recipe.
Did you make this Slow Cooker Bone Broth?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this crockpot bone broth recipe. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Slow Cooker Bone Broth Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 carrots (chopped medium)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped medium)
- 1 medium onion (chopped medium)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3.5 lb beef or chicken bones (or combination of both)
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- water
Instructions
- Place the bones your slow cooker. The bones should fill up about 3/4 of the slow-cooker.
- Chop your vegetables and garlic, no need to peel. You can also add vegetable scraps and rinsed, crushed egg shells into your slow-cooker. You’ll be straining these out before consuming the broth.
- Fill the slow-cooker with water. Season with a generous amount of salt (about 1 teaspoon).
- Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (you won’t notice the taste).
- Cook on low and cook for 18-72 hours.
- Strain the broth through cheesecloth or a strainer and cool. A good broth will usually have a layer of fat on the top, and will gelatinize when thoroughly cool. Remove the fat with a spoon and discard.
Equipment
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2015. It was revised in 2017 to update the photographs and refresh the content, and again in 2019 to add an instructional video. The delicious recipe for Slow Cooker Bone Broth remains the same.
Thanx for the idea. I am making my own stock for years, but I never thought about doing it in the slow cooker. I also like the idea of using the celery and carrot ends!
I do My Bone broth all day and All Night in the Crock pot !! the House Smell SOOOO Good all night long ! 😉
I made chicken drum sticks last nite I was wonder can i use the bones for stock?? Thank you Sharon
Hi Sharon – You definitely can use those bones!
I don’t cook meat with bones, so where and which type of bones should I buy?
Yes, just bash’em with a meat mallet to help release all the goodness before you toss them in the crockpot for 12-18 hours…
Absolutely. I take all my left over bones and veggie ends. However I’ve added asparagus to mine, bc it is an awesome detoxifier.
Bones can be chicken, turkey, pork, beef, fish and pretty much anything else. There are some variations one might make depending on the bone type but a simple goodle search will take care of that. Fish is the only one I do differently.
Ideally use organic bones, none organic animals are often fed GMO feed and traces stay in the fat.
On a side note, I leave the fat that’s on the top, it’s a very healthy fats and healthy fats are good for us.
You can buy them at the grocery store.
You can buy butcher bones in the meat market. Cheap and great for bone broth.
Ideally, the bones you use for any bone broth should be grass fed and grass finished….at the very least grass fed/organic grain finished. They are the healthiest for you because as the saying goes…you are what you eat. Chickens intuitively know what they need in their diet to be healthy and when they are free to roam and forage they are the healthiest for us, as are their eggs. Compare the color of the yolks from grass fed/grass finished eggs to “free range, housed organic and factory raised eggs and you’ll see the difference. They are more orange and contain higher levels of omegas!
I have a really good butcher shop that I buy from when I want to make really nice stake or pot roast. Every time I go in there I buy a bag of soup bones. They are usually frozen and cost about 5$ a pound. I toss them in my deep freeze and use as needed. You can get soup bones from the butcher counter at the grocery store but I find that they are super small and way over priced. I’ve also found soup bones at my local Rancho Market.
Is it ok to leave the slow cooker on low for 72 hours?
I usually do 35-40 hours and it’s fine.
I almost added eggshells to my bone broth, but was worried they wouldn’t dissolve and small pieces would get in my broth. Can you tell me how the shells break down, and what the benefits are?
Eggshells are composed of calcium carbonate, thus they are a good source of calcium. The vinegar you add to the pot is what actually breaks down the egg shells. The acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate to make free calcium, water and carbon dioxide. By heating your broth, you speed up the reaction so by cooking your broth for the length of time required by this recipe, I wouldn’t be surprised if your shells had completely dissolved by the time you go to strain it. If you’re concerned, just add a little more vinegar to the pot, that should do the trick!
I HAD 6 HOURS REMAINING ON THE COOK TIME ON MY CROCKPOT. I HAD THE TOP AJAR FOR VENTING AND I WOKE UP TO NO LIQUID AND ONLY THE BONES REMAINING. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU
Hi Sheri – I think that leaving the top ajar is the issue. That’s probably why the liquid evaporated. The lid should be fully on.
That’s also happened to me. Not known what else to do I added more water and hoped for the best. It was great. I also feed the broth to my dog who loves it to. The idea of adding eggshells is genius. Thanks for the recipe!
Egg shells are comprised of calcium carbonate, thus they are an excellent source of calcium. The vinegar used in the recipe contains acetic acid which reacts with the calcium carbonate to break down the shells and release the calcium into the broth. Adding heat to a reaction like this can help speed it up, so I wouldn’t be surprised if your egg shells had completely dissolved when you went to filter your broth at the end. If you are concerned about them not dissolving completely, just add a little more vinegar.
Just make sure to not give your dog anything with garlic added. Garlic can kill a dog quickly.
I don’t think they are meant to break down, after your cooking process is done you should pour broth through a fine mesh strainer or sieve. This will remove all the bits of food/egg shell/vegetable skins etc.
Stacy you strain your broth to get the eggshells out.
Yes. I’ve done successfully with no problem. Makes the house smell great in anticipation of consuming the final broth.
Can you provide advice on the large difference in cooking time? What should we look for to turn it off? 18-72 hours is a big range. Thank you!
Why discard the fat? That’s blasphemy!! It’s a waste. Freeze it and use it to cook with in place of oils. It has much more flavor.
Thanks for that tip Don!
Great info! Thank-you…..I simmered 3 chicken carcasses over 48 hrs and the stock has no gelatin….and is a bit bitter and darker. I read I over boiled it? Is this bad to eat or still nurtitious and just bad tasting? I am trying to heal my gut issues naturally. Thanks!!!!
Use low heat. Simmer but do not boil. And I think maybe 48 hours was too long. I’m still working this our…was told by a butcher…a SIBO sufferer, 4 hours was sufficient for chicken. I’m going for around 12 right now for chicken but 24 for beef bones.
How long does the fat lady refrigerated?
Just until she quits singing.
I agree! But you can cook with it, and contrary to what most people believe, fat is good for you, don’t take it out, it’s the healthiest part!
Someone mentioned pressure cooker. High/low pressure? And for how long? I cant wait to try this. I just got back from the store and I dont want to wait for 3 days in crock pot.
Here is the link to make this in the pressure cooker.
Bone broth has been a game changer for me. Finally cleared my skin after years of not understanding what I was missing. Recommend Sante Sonomas Revitalize bone marrow on amazon. Adorable and one of the most potent. Also Ancestral supplements is a really good one too but much more on the high end.
you cleared your skin from what? can you be more specific. My husband suffers from psoriasis and I am looking for help. thanks.
Can you add hot water or does it need to be cold? Can you use lamb bones? And what do eggshells provide?
Hi Vanessa – You can add hot water if you’d like. Lamb bones are just fine if you like lamb flavor! The egg shells are said to provide extra calcium to the broth.
Do not add hot water to bones. Use cold/room temperature water. The bones pores need time to open up. If you use hot the bones “seal” in the marrow.
Great recipe.
I am going to start doing this now! Long time back I read about a similar technique in martha stewart and I started making my own stash but I totally forgot and ended up throwing it hehe! But Thanks for reminding how easy and useful this is!
Bone broth is awesome! Thanks for sharing. Pinned.. 🙂
Why strain, is it necessary? Thanks…have had the crockpot on all nite and everything smells great!
You need to strain to get the bones & vegetable bits out.
I’m a little bit confused about take the fat off but keep the gelatine because that’s what I want. Doesn’t it look the same
Thank God I found this post! I recently got shot from my man for regularly leaving the stove on for 3 days. I told him its to create this delicious and healthy broth that you can’t get if you just boil bones for a couple hours or so. He’s not convinced that the health benefits outweigh the cost of electricity that it takes to run the stove that long lol. Thank you for solving my dilemma! Use the slow cooker. Duh! Thanks for posting!
The basic receipe
was featured on Dr. Oz,,,bones alone give you amazing health benefits but of course including veggies etc makes it tastier.
I would definitely do this, but without the scraps of egg shells. I like using beef boullion cubes or 1/2 of one in hot water when I get hungry between meals.
Much healthier to make your own, tastes a million times better and you actually feel better to. Far too much salt in processed cubes. Enjoy!
There’s sugar in boullion cubes, too
The cubes totally defeat the purpose. It’s not broth for taste or soup, it’s an elixir of nutrients for your health.. full the minerals, vitamins etc. Cubes are full of preservatives and sodium which are unhealthy. They are a cheat sheet for added flavor when making soup but bone broth is a completely different philosophy. My bf had a hard time understanding this. He was like “why would you make that” “that’s not how you make beef broth” “sounds disgusting.” So I sent him oodles of info on its benefits and he finally got it. We use one full beef knuckle from the butcher. Works great.
Also MSG. Often
My hubby is the same except he won’t let me keep the gas stove on overnight🤪. I’ll be using the slow cooker now!
Sensible guy
Maybe keep the broth, pay your own electric and lose the man.
Right on Elizabeth!
Hell yes! I agree. Keep the bone broth, a woman need a man like a fish needs a bicycle. I make tons of it for my wife. She loves and appreciates it.
Leaving a gas stove on unattended (especially for such along period) is a major fire and explosive hazard. If the burner somehow blows out, the gas won’t stop and your house could fill with gas. If something falls and lands on the stove, a fire could start. He obviously feels that a delicious bone broth isn’t worth his life or his home. But hey, I suppose he could just be mean and controlling though.
I’ve been making bone broth for years. I have my slow cooker going every Saturday and I usually don’t even get a chance to put the broth in the freezer because we use it up so quickly during the week. I love the idea of adding the scraps and bones in a freezer bag. What a great tip! I never thought of adding egg shells. I’ll have to add that to my pot next time around.
I was lucky enough to receive some homemade bone broth and I agree, it’s divine. The flavor is so rich there’s really no way to describe it, you just have to try it. I made a simple stew with it as the base, added chicken thighs, carrots and rice. A bit of Dijon mustard in the stew pairs wonderfully and adds a unique undertone. Thanks for the post on how to make it!
Matt – The stew with mustard added in sounds wonderful!
I can Taste it⁉️
LOVE simple ideas😉
Thanks
I will have to try the mustard. Thanks for the tip!
Did u use the chicken broth for the chicken stew?
I cooked the broth for 24 hours and it is dark brown. Do you think I over cooked it?
I took some of the chicken broth and added garlic, onion, meat, brown rice, ginger, lime, a little salt and pepper–and some peeled and sliced turmeric for pain and inflammation. Simmered on low, for lunch. It was wonderful! Does anybody know how much turmeric you would use? I only used 1/2 root for about 2 cups of broth.
I make broth all of the time, (it is even better since the store started carrying calves’ feet; I like the pieces that stop at the ‘ankle’ for esthetics – perfect gel), but thanks for the tip of storing the assorted bits in the freezer and adding the egg shells! I love ideas that take the workload off of my brain.
Could you use pork bones?
Yes – You could absolutely use pork bones for your broth. Sounds great!
M freezer looks similar! I love making slow cooker bone broth, chicken stock and seafood stock. Waste not, want not.
This may or maybe a dumb question but, where do I get bones???p
Not a dumb question at all Alicia! You can either use bones from a leftover chicken or roast. Or, you can ask your butcher if they carry bones. My local market has the bones in the refrigerated pet section. Hope that helps!
I’m reading about bone broth, and noticing that you’re saying it’s ok to use cooked bones… But the other places I’ve read about it it, say to use raw bones, otherwise all you get is “stock”. ??
Hi Jodi – Actually, roasted bones lend more flavor to the broth. Raw bones are perfectly fine to use as well though!
You can also buy pork neck bones in your meat section at your local grocery store. They make great broth. Of course you cook the neck bones in a pot of pinto beans to get the meat off of them first.
Sounds amazing Lisa!
Start the broth first- after a few hours, take the meat off the bones and return bones to pot to continue cooking. Then you can add meat to peas (pea soup) or beans. And use the defatted broth. Much less messy getting the meat off the bones this way!
You can also fry the neckbone and then simmer all day in a pot of spaghetti sauce. My mother in law used to do this with beef or pork neck bones. Real adds flavor to sauce.
Yes! That’s how I make my Sunday Gravy!
My mother in law used to make neck bones during WWII in a pot. My husband loved it. I’ll have to ask him how she made them.
I am making my bone broth from chicken bones for the very 1st time myself instead of buying it. I added a chopped onion some garlic and some Ginger as well as salt and pepper. I am putting it in the crock pot on low and hope that by to morrow night it is as wonderful as I expect. From now on I will save my bones in the freezer with my of vegetable leftovers as well and I can’t wait to add the egg shells for even more nutrients. Thanks for all the great tips guys!
I went tot he butchers section at mu local morrissons in london and they do carry bones! nice surrprise.
Would it make a better broth if the butcher cut the bones into smaller pieces?
Hi Barbara – I don’t believe the size of the meat matters. If you cook it long enough, you should get all of the nutrients and flavors from the meat. However, it may cook faster if you use smaller pieces.
I have been thinking about making bone broth for quite some time. The idea started when I was doing the Keto diet. Now I am trying out an anti-inflammatory way of eating, and iron chef Michael Simon mentioned that , while doing this plan he has been incorporating bone broth into his eating plan daily. I don’t have much information to speak of, but in knowing that most diseases iand ailments are caused by inflammation, I have decided to try this out.
Per your question, I spoke with my butcher today and asked which bones to use and he said that Marrow bones would be excellent. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any so I bought some neckbones and beef shank. He said that since the beef neck bones were cut up a little smaller, they’d have more exposed marrow. There’s a lot of meat on there and I was thinking of making a borscht with some broth. I’ve been cooking this on low for 5hrs, 40 min. I just realized that I had saved frozen chicken wing tips to use for stock. Should I throw them in? Is leaving a crockpot on low a safe temperature for the bones or meat to stay untainted for 72 hours? Honestly, my house is like an icebox so I don’t fret too much, just have never tried this.
do you roast raw bones first?
Hi John – If you have bones that have been roasted, by all means, use those. They give the broth a richer flavor. However, you can also throw raw bones into the slow cooker and get a great flavor as well.
Do I need to go to lowest temp on slow cooker after cooking for over 12 hours on 10 hour temp? There is one below called warm, am I safe to put broth on this for about 12 or so hours?
you say to cook for 18 to 72 hours that is a big difference. So for a medium size crock pot full how long would you say?
Hi Debbie! The longer you let things cook together, the more intense the flavor. However, you’ll still get great flavor with just 18 hours. The time is up to you. Hope this helps!
I have stoped eating meats raised on grains, with growth harmones & antibiotics. I buy pasure raised meats, (chicken, & wild caught fish) & eggs.
Where can I get “organic” bones?
Because if they are not born & raised organic, the harmones/antibotics are in the supermarket bones.
I buy my organic, hormone/antibiotic-free bones online. I usually substitute bison broth for beef broth, so when I need bones for bison broth, I order them from http://www.wildideabuffalo.com If you prefer beef bones, you can just type “organic beef bones” into google and pick whichever online merchant appeals to you most.
Hi,
I throw all my organic bones in the pot with everything else. I also have the butcher cut up my venison (deer) neck and ribs etc. and throw in with everything else. I have not chemicals on my land and many deer because it joins the Fed. parkway. For those who know nothing about deer…it is naturally low in fat and very healthy. Never knew what to do with the bones until now! Tastes GREAT!
ArticFoods.com. All Organic!
Cooking is accomplished with the combination of time and temp. Without heat it will never be done. (Look to a Sous Vide cooking temps and times chart for examples of how things work together but dont use them for this recipe) Lower temps will give less evaporation but will take much longer to cook. The clue here is to simmer but not boil. Simmering requires less heat to maintain a temp where a rolling boiling needs more heat to maintain the boil. REMEMBER an uncovered pot of water boils at 212F regardless of the heat applied. More heat brings a boil on faster, less heat will take longer to boil if ever. Either way once things come to a boil turn the heat down to a simmer and watch the water level, adding more as needed, added water is better if it is already hot as to not increase the cooking time. Generally chicken is faster to cook since the bones are smaller, less dense, and more porous.
My Recipe starts with chicken wings baked/roasted for about an hour than striped of the meat, the remaining skin, bones, fat, cartilage and connective tissue are returned to the pot, covered with water and brought to a boil. Than simmered at a lower heat for ~15-20 hours adding water as needed. NOTE, before cleaning the roasting pan I put boiling water in it, scrape and bake it to loosen the stuck on bits (fond), than add the baked water to the broth for the simmering, adding even more flavor.
Chicken feet work well also, as they are almost all bone and connective tissue, like backs, and necks.
Strain the bones and bits out, add your veggies simmer for 30 min blend with a stick blender Or just add the veggies for the last hour and remove them with the bones and bits before storing and use. Use the meat as desired, for a salad, or returned to the broth for service.
Longer cooking with less water replenishment will concentrate the flavor and nutrients so you may need to add water when ready for use.
I have made my own broth for years but I have never used egg shells. What do the egg shells add?
Hi Sheri – The egg shells help to add some additional calcium and minerals to the broth.
Can I ask what the best way is to reheat the broth.
Many thanks
Hi Phil! You can simply reheat in the microwave, or on the stovetop if you prefer.
just made it!! cooked it 24 hours. didn’t strain it, cooled it and took all the fat off, then we ate it like a soup!!
we feel stronger already!! cant’ wait to try it again
Awesome – I’m so happy to hear the feedback Carole. Cheers!
Microwaves kill all good nutrients!!!!!!!
Microwave does not kill nutrients.
First of all, nutrients aren’t alive.
Secondly, the original “microwave kills” study was flawed. The study “boiled” broccoli in water in the microwave then tested the nutritional value of the broccoli after removing it from the water. The nutrients had transferred to the water out of the broccoli. This happens when food is boiled whether it is in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Steaming and microwave cooking are actually the best cooking methods to retain nutrients in food. A quick google search will provide you with more scientific information on this.
Also heating food in general can can break down (some) nutrients. The good thing about the microwave is it actually reduces heating time meaning less heat and a lower rate of broken down nutrients.
You need to read more.
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/microwave-ovens-destroy-nutritional-value-your-food
You need to figure out how to distinguish between science-based information and misinformation. The cited article has absolutely no links to anything. For all we know the author could have made it all up.
Kendra this has been debunked. Here is one of the many articles contradicting the one you posted:
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/health/17real.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Should the slow cooker be on high? I started my first batch at 3pm on high and its boiling.
Hi Angie – It’s best to cook the bone broth at low heat if you plan on cooking it for the time recommended.
I’ve also been making my own broth for years but I’ve always done it on the stovetop and I really love the idea of the crockpot since I can cook it longer and slower to get all the nutritional benefits!! Every time someone in my family starts to get a cold I start the broth and many times we’ve warded off viruses just by having a cup/bowl. “Better than Botox”…?? I’m just curious how much someone would need to drink to see a difference in their skin. I tend to retain water so when I drink a lot of broth my fingers get swollen. I try to add more water than usual and if I ever use store bought chicken stock for anything I always use low sodium. Anyway, just curious about the specific health benefits just out of curiosity. Thanks for posting Erin 🙂
Hi Denise – This bone broth really does aid with your skin because it is full of collagen and nutrients. However, I’m definitely not a doctor, or even a health specialist, so I can’t account for how much you would really need to drink to see a difference. My motto is – Everything in moderation. I enjoy drinking the broth to help to get some of those nutrients that may be lacking in other areas of my diet. Hope this helps!
Denise, it’s the chicken stalk that is making your fingers swollen, it has a lot of salt, even the low sodium ones have a lot, you do not need to add stalk to your broth, only water.
My crockpot on low runs hot. I did venison bone for 48 hrs along with celery, carrots, onion and garlic. It yielded about a quart. Does this sound like what others have gotten?
I’ve made my own bone broth for years. I had a small milia at the inner corner of my eye; the dermatologist wouldn’t remove it, as it was too close to my eye. I drank the broth all weekend while it cooked. My milia was gone by Monday morning! It wasn’t my plan, but made me realize the potency and potential of bone broth!
I haven’t done a lot of research on microwaves myself, but a science fair display at my son’s school stuck with me. The student had taken six houseplants and watered them equally with tap water for the first three, and with microwaved tap water (that had been cooled back to room temperature) for the other three. The tap water plants looked fine and healthy, and the microwaved water plants were absolutely wretched.
Either way, it’s safe to say there’s no harm in slowly reheating it on the stove, so why not just do it that way? It really doesn’t take that long.
From experience and watching the British Baking Show that microwaving ingredients to melt or warm changes the molecular structure and changes the bake…..just information……
Can you also use pork bones for the broth, or ONLY chicken and beef?
Hi D’Anna – You can definitely use pork bones. Any bones you have on hand should work great. I think the pork would be AMAZING! I’d love to hear back on how it turns out!
Hi.
Great recipe.
A couple of questions;
1. Should the bones be uncooked / raw, or cooked ones?
2. I don’t have a slow cooker, so how long should I cook this on low heat in a regular pot, after bringing it to a full boil?
IHope to hear a respond on this.
Thanks ahead.
Sincerely.
Linda
Hi Linda – You can use cooked or uncooked bones. Cooked will have some more flavor, but uncooked work just as well. After bringing to a boil, I would let this simmer for at least 4 hours on low heat. I hope this helps!
Hi Erin.
Thanks for the respond.
I definetly will try it. 🙂
Have a nice day, and weekend. 🙂
You can use an electric pressure cooker also. I pressure for an 1 1/2 hours then cool and check if the bones are not a little brittle where a fork goes in I add more water and pressure again for 1 1/2 hours. After I get the results I want from the bones I add my vegetable and cook then eat. I will be adding some vegetables now when starting. I am giving the brittle squashed strained bones to my dogs in their food with some water. They love it also. You can preserve by canning in pint or quart jars if you are not going to use immediately or have a lot.
I often read that cooked bones should not be fed to pets, only the raw bones. Bone broth is good for pets just like people
The reason you don’t want to give the cooked bones to pets is because they splinter and tear their intestines up, which can be fatal. Raw bones are not as brittle.
Yes! As a vet tech I have spent hours in surgery and recovery with pets to remove bones. Cost the owner an easy $2000. Not worth the pets life or the family’s budget.
Hi again.
Sorry, but I forgot to ask you two more questions.
1. In the instruction, you say to chop the vegetables, AND the garlic…the garlis isn’t among the ingredients. So I’m wondering if there should be garlic included, and if so…how many cloves?
2. After filling jars with this broth, how long does it last in the fridge?
Hi Linda – Thank you for catching that! I amended the instructions to include the garlic (2 cloves). However, it is optional. Feel free to use as much or as little as you would like. In the fridge, the broth should last up to 5 days. If you’d like to store it for longer, I’d suggest freezing it. It will last in the freezer for up to 6 months. However, if freezing in mason jars, be sure to leave space in the jar, so that the jar does not crack.
You are giving your dog cooked bones? Madness. My dogs eat raw bones but cooked bones can be deadly. Please don’t do that.
My dogs get bone broth every day. I also make it in my InstantPot. My Terrier has an old hunting injury and it hasn’t bothered her since starting the bone broth.
If only I ate as well as my dogs !
Just make sure if you’re giving it to dogs to not use onions or garlic… that’s toxic for dogs.
Pressure cooked bones do not splinter. I know a guy that has been feeding them to his 2 boxers for 15+ years and they’re fine. They basically just crush up and dissolve.
So after you made the broth, what are the best way to use in drinks? Any good recipes. Thank, ready to try.
Hi Corita – I just drink this straight up, warm.
I would recommend using organic bones. If you are making the broth for health reasons-to help arthritis, digestion, etc. The bones from any butcher may have been antibiotics or worse in them. I also used water from my Brita filter so as not to get any unwanted lead that could possibly in the water. Just a suggestion.
Good luck and good health .
God Bless.
This is hard to find in South London. I’m going round butchers to ask whether they sell organic meat. Morrisions told mewhat they have is ‘farm assurred’ meat, that because of the way , animals can’e be grazing all year. so its mostly farm raised. I think wha I wanted to know was whether the meat is organic i.e grass fed animals but I still am not sure.
Brita filters are very minimal in the substances they filter. Compare Pur and some of the other other filters. You’ll be surprised.
I use bottled water in my 3 qt. mini instant pot and before in my 1 1/2 qt. mini slow cooker..
Hello! I’m finally cooking my first batch of bone broth after hearing about the benefits of it from my best friend. She advised to use raw chicken wings or drumsticks and only organic. I live in the UK too and found that certain Waitrose stores sell organic wings/drumsticks. (Chicken wings are much cheaper than the drumsticks). I used this receipe as a guide and added fresh turmeric, fennel to the mix as well. 4 hours in and aiming for 30 in my slowcooker. Wish me luck!
Good luck Ingrid! I’d love to hear back on how it worked for you!
Farmers market? There plenty on London. I’m in Brum and get them when it comes once a month. Though my local butcher gives me the bones for free! Find your local butcher. Supermarkets rarely sell them x
Can it be canned for storage?
Hi Tracy – I have only ever frozen my broth. But, you can definitely can too! Here’s a great article on how to do so.
Hi Toyo, I’m in the UK too. I’ve just ordered organic chicken carcasses and organic beef bones from https://www.coombefarmorganic.co.uk They also sell chicken feet which are supposed to be very good too!
Erin, do you use the tallow, or should I just throw everything away after cooking? Thank you for your articles, live it!
Hi Virginia – I just toss everything after the cooking process. Everything is pretty “spent” after that long cooking time.
You can save the tallow to make soap.
Should you mix the bones or keep separate ….like all beef or All chicken?
Or whatever combination?
Hi Marsha – Great question. You can use any combination that you would like!
Excellent question Marsha .
This recipe sounds great, I’m looking forward to trying it. What benefits do the eggs shells have?
Hi Teresa – It’s said that the egg shells help to add calcium to the broth.
Hi..what herbs or roots would you recommend? what about a seeded jalapeño? Turmeric? Bay leaves? Parsley?
Hi Lorie – You can use whatever herbs you like the best! A seeded jalapeno should add some good heat and interest to the broth – I’ve been meaning to try that combination. Bay leaves would be amazing! I almost always have some parsley in my bag of frozen vegetable scraps, so that’s usually thrown into my version. Hope this helps! Have fun experimenting!!!
Should the bones be thawed or can you use frozen bones?
Hi Christy – It is perfectly OK to use frozen bones. Just be sure that they have sufficient time to cook so that all the nutrients will be released.
This is great!!! I have pets, could they benefit from this broth also?
Hi there. Bone broth is great for pets too. Just be sure that you’re not using any ingredients that are detrimental to their health, like onions and garlic.
I always freeze the broth that I can’t fit in jars in an ice cube tray and give them to my dog as a treat. One caveat – now he turns his nose up at plain old ice cubes!
What a great idea Ramona – I’m sure my dog would love that too!
Hi Erin,
I will definitely try your recipe! I tried making bone broth today and it turned out very “oily” tasting. Any ideas of why this is? I tried to skim the top but it all looked the same. Thanks for any advice! Lynn
Hi Lynn: Sometimes it’s difficult to get all the fat removed. I’ve found that it helps to let the broth cool in the refrigerator. The fat will solidify and rise to the top, then just skim it off with a spoon. I hope this helps!
Will skimming the fat off the top also remove the gelatin layer?
I find that the gelatin remains, it tends to be disbursed throughout the soup.
I’m making my first batch today. However I have a whole chicken. Do I take the meat off when it’s done and let the bones cook for 24hrs?
Hi Sandra – That sounds like exactly what I would do! Go ahead and set the meat aside for another recipe, or just throw it into your bone broth when it has finished cooking. Hope this helps!
We had a show pig butchered and somehow ended up with head in the freezer. Is there some way to use that to make bone broth?
Hi Sunny – I haven’t yet tried that, but I think it would work. Here’s a post I found on making pig’s head soup.
thanks for this post! I got a kick out of reading the questions (2 garlic cloves or 3??) … did no one else grow up with a stock pot on the stove all winter?? No recipe needed guys, just clean out the fridge!
You are SO welcome Grace – Thanks for stopping by!
Why are you even reading this recipe then?
You said that this should produce about 4 quarts of broth. After cooking it for 48 hours I ended up with about one and a half quarts. Should I be adding water as it cooks to keep it from condensing too much?
Hi Charli – You can definitely add water during the cooking process if it’s condensing quite a bit. The amount of broth that you get will vary based on how full your crockpot is with bones and vegetable scraps as well. Hope this helps!
Making this right now. Thanks for the clear and easy to follow directions! 🙂
Of course – Enjoy Monica!
Hey Erin!
I just bought a book off amazon called Brodo. It’s a bone broth book from a guru in NYC. You’d love it! I have a bag of bones in my freezer right now ready to simmer. Do you freeze in mason jars? I’m concerned about them cracking. I bought the wide mouth ones in hopes that it will prevent breakage.
Hi Jennifer – When freezing, definitely leave at least an inch of empty space, otherwise the jars will crack. I freeze mine in mason jars all the time and it is just fine this way. Enjoy!
Your recipe sounds amazing, but I am cooking for one and my freezer is full. Instead of freezing, can this be canned in a pressure canner?
Hi Donna – Yes! You could definitely can this too.
Thank you for sharing. I really love drinking bone broth. I’ve ben drinking Au Bon Broth and I like it so far because of how it helped me with my sleeping problems.
After cooking the whole chicken, I pick the meat off the bones and then I strain. Instead of discarding, I put it in the food processor then freeze the “mush” and use it as “filler” for other meals.
Hi I’m wondering if you can use deer bones? Its almost hunting season and these bones would be organic per say.
Hi Sandy – I’ve never made venison broth myself, but I think it would be great. There should be no issues with using deer bones.
Hi Sandy, I use deer bones. I never put chemicals on my property and joins Fed. parkway. So I consider them grass fed and organic. For those who do not know about deer…they are very low fat, very lean. They won’t eat anything that is not good for them. They eat only grass and grains. Venison is a very healthy meat to consume. I have the butcher cut the neck into several pieces and keep the bones, such as ribs etc. This is what I add to my broth with organic beef bones that have been cut into about 2 inch pieces. I throw everything else in like the egg shells, celery, carrots, garlic, parsley and just everything. It tastes GREAT!
I have my slow cooker going as I type this. Coming up to 18 hrs. This is my first time. Acupuncturist told me to consume bone broth due to not sleeping, poor concentration etc. I am excited to see how I feel after drinking the broth. I got an organic chicken but the bones did not fill the slow cooker. Smaller chicken. Hopefully the ratio of water to bones will be ok.
I think that you will be great regardless Theresa! It may not be as thick with fewer bones, but you will still get some great health benefits from the bone broth. I hope you enjoy!
Hi my doctor got me into cooking bone broth. She told me to buy always organic and buy a whole organic chicken and after 8 hours on low to take the meat off the bones for the freezer. Continue to cook the bones and veggies for at least another 24-36 hours and also add more filtered water. I also use Himalayan pink salt!
Sounds great Cathryn – I’m definitely reading more and more that organic is important for those bones. I’m going to work on revising the recipe.
I’ve read through the comments and several sites to see–wouldn’t it matter a lot that these bones be organic?? . Animals store the antibiotics and everything else given them in their fat and sinews . I would think we’d be getting a super concentrated amount of bad stuff in this bone broth.
And yet it’s very hard to find organic beef with bones, chicken a little easier. I want to do this but can’t get over thinking about the hidden stuff.
Yes Peggy – I think it is definitely best to use organic bones. Thanks so much for pointing out this helpful information.
I did 72 hours in the crock pot on low and it burned! It was very bitter, and think we’ll just throw it out 🙁 I guess I’ll have to try again and do much less time?
Hi Jill… Hmmm. I’m not quite sure what happened. Make sure that you have enough liquid in there and yes, maybe try just giving it 24 hours? It sounds like your crock pot may cook hotter than most. I hope this helps!
Are my bone broth I have the butcher cut it up into two in pieces to get the bone marrow out that’s where you get the best and I also soak my egg shells for a couple days and it’s Ziploc bag with vinegar so it gets all the calcium and also the membrane in the egg is very good for you so make sure you put that in the kettle to and if I have too many eggshells I just crush it and put them in a ziplock bag in the freezer with vinegar on them yet did you get more goodness out of it. I have a lot of sunchoke flowers or Jerusalem artichokes whatever you want to call him and I add them and some of the leaves to the broth and also some of the feelings from them after I scrub them up good and I use the plant leaf it’s on my yard and anything like that but that’s good to eat the greens and I put them in the kettle with the bones I cook them slow on top of my burner first so they both fit in that kettle when I go to slow cook them I have a slow cooker kettle also when you when you get ready to strain it make sure you have a fine soon that will do it and sometimes I put cheesecloth and if the if I use eggshells because the egg shells might go through if they’re crushed so I just put cheesecloth in the strain or first
I followed all your instructions.
I have a small 2 qts crock pot .
I left it in low for 72 hs.
My broth came out really dark. I made it with chicken meat and bones.
the veggies were really dark at the end of the process, like burnt and everything looks brownish. Is that normal ?
I don’t like the taste too much but I will drink it.
Next time I will try with cow bones.
Hi! I’ve noticed that the color of my broth comes out differently every time for some reason… Also, it seems that some crockpots are cooking at a higher temperature than others. I would suggest keeping an eye on it and giving it a taste after 36 hours. Hope this helps!
try just cooking the meat and bones first. Then take the meat off the bones when meat is done and put into the fridge don’t put the vegetables in right away. Cook bones around the 72 hours mark Add the vegetables let cook when soft puree them into the broth and strain.
For a meal with the broth, add the meat back in and any vegetables you may want to eat with the meat. I hope this helps.
Do you need to get ALL the meat off the bones before starting the process or will straining take care of the meat?
The straining will take care of that – No worries to start with meat on the bones.
I had forgotten about garlic being toxic to dogs until reading comments on this recipe for bone broth. Turns out, I was specifically making this batch for my dog so I will save for my use instead. As more and more pet owners are learning about the benefits of bone broth for their fur babies, it would be a great idea for you to mention this next to garlic in the ingredients.:)
A few questions:
1. Ho much water should you actually put in? I just made this recipe and added about two – three cups but didn’t get a frothy too so thinking I might have added too much water from the jump.
2. It says ler it come to a boil first. I didn’t do hat properly either, I don’t believe. Should the slow cooker be out on high at first and then set to low after?
Thanks in advance!
I would recommend doing some research with recent, up to date info on garlic for pets/ dogs in particular. It’s now widely accepted and used in many pet formulas (particularly for flea control) and has been debunked as toxic by many reliable sources if used in normal, reasonable amounts. It’s not the same as onions. In all the research I’ve done they are unanimously considered toxic.
Very interesting, don’t think I ever saw or read about this before, thanks for the idea!
I just made my first pot of broth it’s cooking on my wood stove wondering if I can eat my veggies I put in like carrots turnip celery ??? Thanks Sharon
Hi Sharon – They’re going to be quite mushy, if they’re even still in solid form. They probably won’t be edible.
Thank you for this recipe! I made my own bone broth for the first time this week and it was delicious. However, I accidentally left it out overnight after I turned the slow cooker off. It was out on the counter for about 10 hours from when I turned the slow cooker off last night before I put it in the fridge this morning. Is it trash now?
Yes – I would not eat it Shilo. Bummer!!!
I have left sushi in the microwave all night and still eaten it the next day without getting sick. In fact I have been conducting experiments on myself for almost a decade now on how long I can leave food out for and still eat it without getting sick. I have a bad habit of leaving food in the microwave to keep it away from my cats and then forgetting about but I dont want to waste it so I heat it up again (if it was cooked to begin with) and eat it. I once at a chicken sandwich that had been in my car wrapped in foil for 2.5 days in 45 F weather, not sure how much it heated the car but it was still quite yummy and I did not get sick. If it was me, I would have frozen it for awhile & then made a good soup of it. my pets could have def. eaten it without freezing and wouldn’t get sick. I don’t want anyone else to get sick though, so that is me & I can not tell everyone it is ok, you will have to use your own judgement but I offer my experience to help you decide. I also had an Angel help me bless my microwave a long time ago using a ritual which I could not repeat by myself so maybe that has something to do with it? We also blessed my car and several other places around the house at the same time so I dont know, but since I have access to good medical care, I’m pushing the limits of what we consider safe & doing what I think my animal like ancestors would have done and finding I do not get sick. In other words, if it still smells good and tastes ok, it is. Note- I am on the autism spectrum and have better senses of smell & taste then most neurotypicals, so I may be better at detecting when something is going bad?
Thanks for this great recipe!
To distinguish between the fat layer and gelatin … will the fat layer be more opaque and white?
Is it for health/dieting reasons to remove fat or is it safe to keep and consume the fat layer?
Hi Haley – The opaque, white layer will be the fat. You can definitely remove that if you prefer. I normally will leave it if there is not too much of it.
Does this help get rid of wrinkles? Particularly deeper ones? For example, the line that can form above the nose and in between the eyes? I guess I’m asking… besides the health benefits, is it turkey better than Botox?
Hello, I had a question. If we use cooked bone scraps, do they need to be rinsed before we actually cook them in the broth?
Hi Michelle – No need to rinse them.
I am so happy to have found this recipe. I am having gastric sleeve surgery this month and it is necessary to have clear broth after recovery. Thank you for sharing. I will be making a bunch of this in advance.
You are welcome Angela – Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Can I add a a stock cube in place of extra salt?
This recipe looks Delish! So funny and cool that you got your own broth bar – our little town will proabably take a while with that yet! 🙂
Have you ever used a ham bone? I froze the bone from our Christmas ham, and thought I could use that with zny others that we save in the freezer. Can’t wait to try this! A turkey carcass would work great too, right?
I think that either of those would be amazing as a broth Jacque!
This bone broth looks absolutely fantastic. Beautiful photos, too. I look forward to trying this. Definitely I will prep it on the weekend for my family.
Thanks so much Jill – I hope you enjoy it!
Hello There. We are a deer hunting family. Would deel bones be acceptable as well for bone broth? Thanks for the inspiration and information.
This is my first time making beef broth and it came out a beautiful dark brown! It seems that I have a lot of oil floating on top of my broth in the jars. I. Think it may be from roasting the bones with a coating of olive oil. Will the fat harden underneath it so I can easily remove it? Any suggestions?
Thank you!
Hi Patricia – Normally my fat will harden after the broth chills. Then I’ll remove that and enjoy the broth. Cheers!
After straining the broth, I pour it into metal bowls and let it sit in fridge 1-2 days. Then I skim and discard the entire layer of solid fat that forms, scooping up stray bits of it with a hand-held strainer, so it’s perfectly clear and then pour into glass containers for the freezer. I’m probably discarding collagen plus fat but it’s all in one layer and I can’t possibly tell the difference so it all goes in the trash. I use it for cooking grains, soup base, and adding it to food before reheating (using the steam function on the Instant Pot).
marge201, instead of discarding the fat at the end you could save it and use it for cooking to add a boost of flavor. That way everything from the bone broth gets used. I even use it in place of butter when I toast bread for sandwiches. Mmmm!
I discovered this works incredibly well in the Instapot if you want to try an alternative to the slow cooker. It cuts the cooking time to about 45 min, I also think the pressure cooking effect brings out more flavor. Thanks so much for the recipe.
It does! I’ll be putting out an Instant Pot version soon!
Hello Erin,
This is Fiona. I am a huge fan of your work and would love to include you in my round up post.
If you would like to participate, please answer this following question and I will link your site to this post on https://www.bbroth.com:
What is the greatest health benefit that bone broth has given you?
Thank you so much in advance,
Fiona
I made some of this and it turned out just like the picture. It tastes fantastic too! My question is how much of this do I need to consume each day to get the most benefit. I could drink all of it now it is so good
I have been making chicken and beef stock like this for YEARS , it amuses me that in NY it is now the rage at $9 as cup. My Jewish and Italian heritage always start out soups with good homemade broth from stock. Maybe that is why my family has good skin and live long lives
What do you do with the bones after your broth is fully cooked?
Hi Laura – I just toss them in the trash. They’re pretty much spent after all that cooking time.
Any idea if digestive issues associated with eating beef, would be the same with a beef bone broth? I have a terrible time digesting red meat so I usually try to avoid it, wondering if the bone broth would have the same effects? Through my research it seems like beef bones and seafood collagen are the most effective but beef seams easiest to work with.
I totally forgot to add apple cider vinegar. We’re on 18 hours. Can I add now and let cook continue for another 12 hours?
Hi Jeannie – I would just skip the ACV this time. It will still be great (and great for you), but it may not have pulled all the nutrients. You’ll still get great benefits from this batch.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing! Can u tell me what size slow cooker u used? And how many cups of broth do u end up with for this recipe? Thanks so much!
Hi Crystal – I use a 6-quart slow cooker and end up with about 9-cups of broth.
What is the best way to store bone broth? I see most pictures of it in Ball Jars. How long can it be stored?
Hi Patti – You can store the bone broth in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just be sure that you leave about an inch of free room in the top of the jar to account for expansion during freezing. Hope this helps!
Hi.!! I just have a big doubt… after cooking it for 40 Hours i realised there was no more liquid.!!!!! This should not happen, right??? I mean i know slow cooker does not loses vapour… so i added some more water but im Sure it shouldnt be like that… even if its my first time using it.. please help and recommendations :)))
Hi Laura – That’s definitely odd that all the liquid evaporated. Adding additional water should not hurt it. Perhaps it is cooking at too high a temperature? You may also want to be sure that the lid is set on properly. Hope this helps!
I have been making broth for years in my crock pot. So much faster and easier. I have 2 plastic containers with a lid in the freezer and I just add bones and veggie parts as I cook. When they are full I place all in my crock pots and cook for 2-3 days. After I drain into a super large pot and let cool I strain the fat off the top. I then heat back up and can according to USDA recommendations. This way I always have tons of pints of broth to either heat up or use in cooking.
Joys!!
Why skim off the fat? Isn’t this the “good” kind of fat?
Looks easy enough and yummy! I don’t see any protein on the Ntrition Facts chart though…? I thought bone broth had collagen- which is protein…???
This recipe looks great. Quick question, my slow cooker can only cook for up to 8 hours max on low. I was wondering if I can “re-cook” the broth after the 8 hours is up for another 8 hours?
You can definitely do that Sheela!
This bone broth definitely looks yummy! I love your recipe cuz it contains healthy ingredients! Thanks, Erin a lot for sharing!
You’re so welcome Bella – Thanks for stopping by!
How will I know when it’s done? What should the texture of the bones be like?
Going to try this today.
Hi Tania – Your bone broth should be deep golden in color. The aroma should let you know as well.
are the bones from cooked meat or raw meat? Also is the egg shell from boiled eggs or uncooked?
Hi Austin – I use bones from cooked meat, but you can also use raw bones. The cooked bones tend to lend more flavor, I’ve found. The egg shells can be either cooked or uncooked as well.
Hi Erin,
I’m in the process of making this for the first time! It’s been about 18 hours in the crockpot on low and I noticed the broth is beginning to disintegrate. Is that normal?
Hi Erica – Do you mean the bones? It should be OK, but I would maybe stop the cooking process now if they’ve cooked down that much. Hope that helps!
I just heard about Bone Broth on The Chew a couple weeks ago. This is so interesting to me. I have bought some in the store. But now will make my own. I will start saving all my meat bones and vegie scraps. But in the meantime theres a farm very close to me that sell chicken feet. I will use those at this time as I heard and read it great broth if you use the feet. I grew up on on farm over 50 yrs ago. N If my grandma only knew what chicken feet would be used for.
Hi Erin,
Can you use eggshells from hardboiled eggs or should they be fresh eggshells like from breakfast?
Hi Jessica – Either will work!
So I made bone broth for the first time & the recipe said to leave it in the crock pot for 24-48 hours on the highest setting. It was in there for about 26 hours & when I opened it up, there was almost no liquid left in it. HELP! What went wrong?
Hi Erin,
Can one make this Bone Broth using raw marrow bones or must they be roasted/braised beforehand as the recipe says? I want to start off using fresh everything and later move to using scraps.
Hi Richard – You can use raw bones but the flavor of the broth may not be as deep and developed.
I have been having stomach issues and looked on line and bone beef broth was recommended. I made this as directed for 48 hours. Removed from my slow cooker and strained, then placed in an ice water bath. I was surprised how fast the fat solidified and the broth gelled up. I will make this again…..the only problem was smelling it for 2 days while it cooked……kept waking me up because it smelled so good! Thanks for sharing.
Of course Lynette! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
I would like to try this recipe, but you say it has to be cooking for 3 day. I hope that this is wrong and I don’t have to cook this recipe for 3 hours. There is no way, that I can have something cooking for 3 days.
Hi! Just curious, in the recipe it says to remove the fat from the broth after it has gelatinized. I’ve been told before that the gelatinized far works to seal the bottle and Kerri’s the broth fresh- as long as you used sterile bottles- is the removal more of a preference? I ‘ve made homemade broth before and dumped everything, gel fat included- into the soup or whatever I am making with the broth… Is that bad?
Nope – It’s definitely just a personal preference Melissa!
I roast my bones for 40 minutes in a 400 degree oven then add vegetables, etc to roasting bones for another 40 minutes then put them in Ina stock pot and add water 2 inches above bones, etc. Bring to boil then simmer. Only simmered for 8 hours. I’ll see what it’s like tomorrow morning. My first time making this.
I am excited to try this! Do you happen to know the amount of protein per serving?
Hi, I have problems getting chicken feet here in my rural scotland as they are sent to china. So could I use pheasant feet instead?
That would work Linda!
I made mine, but used the entire piece of meat with bone and meat attached. (I used short ribs) Does this still give you the same benefits with the meat attached? The broth is still tasty!
It does Ali!
I am trying chicken bone broth for the first time in a slow cooker. There was some meat left on the bones. Will this detract from the cooking process extracting full nutrients from the bones?
Hi Sandra – No problem there! You can definitely leave some meat on the bones.
I was wondering if after I de-bone my chicken after making chicken soup can I put those bones back into a slow cooker and make bone broth?
You sure can!
Can you freeze the broth to use later on soups?
Definitely – I love to freeze my bone broth!
I just received my Oster 22-quart oven roaster. Temps go from 150-450. Got this mainly for bone broth and tomato products for canning. I will simmer at 208 degrees. Can’t wait for the results.
Do you put in the carrots , parsley etc. in the very beginning or on the 2nd day
Hi Geneva – They go in at the beginning.
I always have bone broth in my freezer to us as stock for rice or quinoa instead of using water to boil them.
Usually I will put a lot of celery in my broth too for health benefits.
Thank you Erin for the recipe.
Are you suppose to use organic bones?
Or just regular bones?
And I was thinking of roasting them before boiling them, extra flavour.
Hi Tina – Organic is preferred, but either will work!
There’s no information in the nutrition facts about the amount of protein…surely there is protein?
I tried doing the broth with beef bones and the result was bot gelatinous and was quite dark. I put it on the slow cooker automatic low temperature setting for almost 48 hrs. Even though it was on the low temperature setting it was boiling, and it I was tryimg to change it, then it was not letting me put it higer than 200F, and then it was not even simmering. Please advice me how to do it to achieve the correct healthy broth. Thank you
Hi Erin, I am new to this so forgive me if I sound ignorant. I put a whole chicken in the slow cooker, I cooked about 8 hours slow. I removed the meat when it was done to use in a recipe, leaving me with broth and bones. I want to know if I can use this as my water and add the veggies, more bones and vinegar and just cook longer to get a bone rich broth or is there something I’m missing?
My goal is a healthier eating habit for me and my husband who are trying to lose weight and stay well nurished. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Jackie – Your strategy sounds perfect and exactly how I would do it! Happy Holidays.
hi, I have just started making bone broth and am having fun playing around with different bones for the broth , seasonings , etc. But I have a question , after making several batches of broth with the bones , the bones just fall apart in my hand . I had read one article about running these bones through a blender and then adding them back to the broth for added nutrients …. any thoughts ?
after making this broth do you just drink it ? or, use it for soup, flavoring ?
Hi Susie – I drink it straight. Or, I’ll add it whenever I would add broth/stock in a recipe. I love to mix in some miso with it too for even more flavor if I’m enjoying it straight.
Do you know about how many grams of protein per serving ?
If using a pasture raised animal for your bone source, don’t bother to skim off the fat. It’s actually good for you! Lots of omega-3s. Or if you want, skim it and cook with it.
How do I know I’m not scooping out collagen when I scoop the fat out?
Hi Erin ! Wonderful recipe. thaks 🙂
My first time making bone broth with beef bones from my butcher. Mine is very runny not gelatinous at all once it was completely cooled and I removed the fat. I cooked for about 24hrs. Should I have cooked for longer? have I added too much water? Does it matter what kind of bones I use?
Hi Emma – It sounds like you may have added too much water. No worries though! You’ll still get some great benefits from the broth.
Thanks Erin. I will try again with a bit less water. I had another look today after the broth had been in the fridge overnight and it seems to have thickened up a bit.
Hey Erin! 18-72 hours is a big difference. How do you know when the broth is “done”
Hi Alissa – It just gets better the longer you cook it. 18 hours is great, but if you have more time – go for it!
Hi Erin,
We do not have a slow cooker but a large cast iron pot. I’m making our first pot of broth according to your recipe and I’m wondering how long to cook it on the stove top. I added the egg shells to everything else you suggested and we are looking forward to our 1st drink of broth.
Hi Erin,
I’m making our 1st pot of broth according to your recipe, w/egg shells. We do not have a slow cooker so I’m making it in a large cast iron pot on the stove top. How long should I let it simmer?
I would let it simmer for 8-12 hours. Hope that helps!
Hello Erin, What is the protein ratio?
I’m very allergic to Apple Cider Vinegar. Is there another acid I could use such as regular vinegar?
I used Yak bones (from a quality local farm) and roasted them and the vegetables in the oven prior to putting them in the slow cooker on low for 67hrs. Unfortunately, I had to add water twice – maybe the seal on crockpot lid isn’t fitting properly? The taste was super deep, like a liquid pot roast and it has literally done wonders for my gut!
I have a secret to share with you
IF you freeze it you destroy a lot of whats healthy in the broth
Hi there, After I saw this post, I asked my farmer for chicken and beef bones. I noticed what she gave me were chicken backs. They have meat on them. Is it ok to do this with meaty bones?? If so, do i eat the meat after or will it be weird and gross??
Hi Monica. You can definitely use bones with meat on them. Unfortunately, the meat is generally super dry and not very tender after the slow cooker process though.
Why would u toss the delicious fat?
I love this post and have enjoyed reading the comments. I’m making some beef bone broth now from this recipe. There is fat on top. Is it bad to drink that? Can you drink it mixed in with the broth? Or should you just separate? And save it? Are the health benefits of drinking the fat? Also it’s rather bland which is normal I realize, I’m using beef bone I purchased at whole foods. I’ve put plenty of onion and garlic, cumin organic and fresh cilantro, carrots didn’t have any celery. And salt. Any ideas to make it more savory?
I make my broth with free range chicken feet. I also add a bit of thyme and rosemary. I cook my broth until bit dark in color. It makes a condensed broth that goes a long way as I consume everyday.
Nice post. I would add that the amount of time is important relative to the size of your bones. A beef knuckle is large, and I usually cook something like that for at least 12-24 hours. Chicken feet, which are a great way to get collagen in poultry stock, which, as you mention is generally gelatin-deficient, can be ready in about 4-8 hours. Requesting tendons from a butcher is also a good way to get extra collagen, either that, or cooking the head of an animal, like a lamb, which will taste more mild than pork. I find cooking stock for longer than 24 hours can result in over-reduced stock, but that’s just my preference. Continual reducing, especially with the lid removed is a great way to make homemade glace de viande though.
Hi!
I make a huge batch of bone broth/stock every few weeks and it’s delicious but I’ve never had it gel, I think I need to cook it longer and I’ve been thinking about adding chicken feet to the pot, can you talk about this a little? Do you roast the feet or just throw them in? I’ve read something that talks about peeling them? And I’ve read something that says to boil them prior to adding them to the stock and to clip the nail ends off…. any thoughts??
Thanks!!
If I save up my bones after my roasts and freeze them, Do the bones have to be defrosted before blanching and then roasted again.?
They do not Janette!
I always leave the fat in my broth, because they rise to the top, and when you put the broth away into containers in the fridge, the broth is completely insulated in the unopened containers. It gives my broth more “shelf life” in the fridge.
I never thought of putting eggs in my broth, I’m excited to try that next time!
How much water do you put in? Doesn’t say in the recipe
Hi Christine – I fill the slow cooker to just below the lid of the pot with water. You just want to be sure that everything is covered with water. Hope that helps!
Hi! I don’t have a slow cooker unfortunately. How long should i cook the broth for in my pot? Should i use low heat? Thanks in advance!
Hello,
I want to ask, can I use bones from matured/ripen/aged meat?
Matured/ripen/aged – I mean meat, which stands for about 30 days in temperature about 1 degree C.
I have been brewing bone broth for decades. If you use roasted bones you get a richer layer of flavor, and risk loosing some of the collagen to the pan (I scrape the pan drippings into my crock pot if I did not use them in the meal). If you use raw bones, your broth will be “thick” on the lip with collagen if you do not cook it too long. Collagen is sensitive and can be destroyed by too much heat, which is why the crock pot method on LOW is so important. Chicken feet, well scrubbed with a tooth brush and toenails removed make the “thickest” broth if processed on LOW for 12 hours. I do add vinegar to every crock, and the beef bones are still surrendering minerals the 2nd and 3rd time through the crock, but they will lack the collagen on those rounds. I have Store-bought collagen granules to add when the broth is strained and ready for storage. With a milk allergy, bone broth is my alternate. I am 64 yrs old and my bone density test said I had the bones of a 20 year old. THAT alone is reason enough to brew bone broth.
My whole family loved this meal. I have shared it with many friends. It’s easy to make and so tasty!
18-72 hours in the slow cooker is quite a range. How would I determine the right cooking time? What does it depend on? Thanks.
What kind of recipes do you use this broth in or do you use it for a soup
Hi Crystal – I’ll often use the bone broth in soups. But I like to sip on it just on its own. I also find it delicious when mixed with a bit of white miso paste and a bit of ginger.
I don’t like celery stalks, can I replace it with another one?
You can leave out the celery no prob!
Hi there! Will you still get the marrow content in the broth if you only cook it for the minimum 18 hours, or will this just be regular broth? If 18 hours is too short, how long should it be left in the crock pot to get the marrow in the broth?
Should the slow cooker be on high? I started my first batch at 3pm on high and its boiling.
Hi Peter – The slow cooker should be on low to get the best bone broth.
i like your post .thanks for sharing useful post.
Hi!
Is it ok to roast the bones prior to slow cooking?
Hi!
Thanks so much for the great recipe!
Will roasting the bones prior to slow cooking reduce the collagen benefit of this broth?
Hi!
Thanks so much for the great recipe!
Will roasting the bones prior to slow cooking lessen the collagen benefits of the broth?
Thanks for the great recipe!
Will roasting the bones prior to slow cooking diminish the collagen benefits of the broth?
Hi Mel – It shouldn’t have a huge impact on the collagen levels.
Apologies! WiFi kept turning off and on. Uncertain whether or not post was completed. Quite a series….
I’m making this bone for the second time now. The first time came out great! I used to make it in a stockpot but no more! My only wish is that there was a clean printable version so I could add it to my binder of all my favorites.
Hi Lisa – You should be able to click on the “Print Recipe” button at the top of the page to do that. Let me know if it’s not working!
I am wondering if using previously cooked bones (in oven, in frying pan or for soup) would give the gelatin and collagen needed for consuming bone broth for health?
Hi Carol – They probably won’t be as nutritious, but you’ll still see some benefits from your broth.
Would you say this is bones from just one chicken or more than one? If more than one, how and how long do you store bones to make this? TIA
Hi Andrea – I often make a batch using just the bones from one chicken. I keep the chicken carcass in a bag in my freezer until I’m ready to use it. Hope that helps!
I haven’t made this but I would like to ask, is cooking this for 72 hours deemed safe? Especially in regards to bacteria setting in?
Thank you
Kal
If you can tolerate fat it’s full of lysine very good for your body.
Also do you use all the bones at one time different varieties?
I never tried that.
Have you used venison bones.
If I’m using vegetable ends and skins and waste that have to be strained I cook them first because I like to use bones that still have meat on them and I don’t want to strain that meat out.
Not sure if questions are still being answered here, but…For those of you that keep a bag of bones/scraps/shells in the freezer….do you thaw before putting in the slow cooker?
Hi Jill – No need to thaw.
Slow cooking always makes the meat and bone tender and flavorful. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
You’re welcome Mary!
I tried this last night. I had just cooked some ckicken and then had a previous batch of bone broth on the stove. I drained the stove broth and then put both batches of bones in the slow cooker, added ACV and water, and left the cooker on warm on accident. I meant to put it on low. I realized it just now and the temp is 165. Do you think it’s safe to switch to low and keep cooking?
It was 10 pm last night and it was 1: 45 pm when I realized my mistake.
Hi Jo – So sorry I’m late getting back to you on this! It should be ok if it was kept above 135-degrees.
If I don’t like the flavor, can I add some Boullion?
You sure can! You shouldn’t need to though 🙂