This Is the Best Bone Broth Recipe for Flavor and Nutrition

When you think of broth, you might picture a watery, salty liquid with little nutritional value. But it’s time to reimagine this kitchen staple. Enter: chicken bone broth — a nourishing, flavor-packed all-star that’s as good for your health as it is for your taste buds.

If you haven’t tried making a bone broth recipe yet, you’re in for a cozy, delicious treat — it’s basically a warm hug in a cup (not unlike our favorite protein mug cake).

Ahead, discover what sets homemade bone broth apart in terms of health benefits, flavor, and preparation, why it’s worth adding to your wellness routine, and how to make your own chicken bone broth.

The top-level definition? Bone broth is a type of soup base. But let’s break it down in greater detail.

Bone broth is a nutrient-rich liquid made by simmering animal bones, connective tissues, and veggies in water for a long time, often 12 to 24 hours.

The long cooking process breaks down the bones, joints, and cartilage to release a wealth of nutrients like collagen, amino acids, and minerals.

How Is Bone Broth Different From Other Broths and Stocks?

Here’s how bone broth compares to other types of broths and stocks.

• Regular broth. This is made by poaching chicken in water, typically for a shorter period (between one and three hours). While flavorful and great for a weeknight meal, the reduced simmer time means fewer nutrients are extracted (even with bone-in, skin-on chicken).

• Regular stock. Stock is made from just the bones. For beef stock, you’d use beef bones, pork bones for pork broth, and chicken bones for chicken stock. Like bone broth, regular stock simmers for a long time. The nutritional value varies based on what kind you’re making, but the bones typically release gelatin (more on this in the next section).

• Bone broth. Like regular broth, bone broth uses bones, meat, and sometimes skin. The key difference is the extended simmer time, maximizing the release of nutrients from the bones, including collagen, amino acids, and minerals.

Now, let’s explore the specific perks of our bone broth recipe.

What’s so great about this bone broth recipe? It delivers unique nutritional perks, it’s simple to make, and it can be used in virtually endless ways.

Bone Broth Offers Unique Nutritional Benefits

A typical cup of low-sodium chicken bone broth contains:

• Calories: 39 grams

• Carbohydrates: 0 grams

• Protein: 9 grams

• Total fat: 0.5 grams

The nutrients in bone broth depend on the type of bones, the cooking method, and whether connective tissue is included. Cooking time and added ingredients can also change the nutritional value of bone broth.

Combined with the nutrients from lean protein and veggies, chicken bone broth is incredibly hydrating and has essential micronutrients like calcium and potassium.

There hasn’t been extensive research on bone broth regarding specific health benefits. However, there’s some research on the nutrients it contains.

Some of the possible health benefits of bone broth (or its ingredients) include:

• Healthier skin and hair. Bone broth is rich in collagen, a protein in bones and connective tissue. While research is still evolving, some studies suggest collagen-rich foods or collagen supplements may support more elastic skin and stronger, thicker hair.

• Improved hydration. Bone broth is mostly water, which supports overall hydration. Staying hydrated is essential for nearly all bodily functions.

• Stronger joint and bone health. Gelatin is a protein from animal collagen, and bone broth has plenty of it. While the effects of ingesting gelatin need to be studied, some research found that taking a gelatin supplement with vitamin C helped boost collagen production in men doing intermittent exercise.

• Improved gut health. Amino acids like glutamine may play a role in strengthening the stomach lining, supporting gut health, and lowering inflammation. Translation: Bone broth might help improve the digestive system.

• Weight management. With its low-calorie, high-protein profile, bone broth can help keep you feeling full and satisfied without adding a ton of empty calories to your overall intake. It can be a wise addition to a weight loss plan — but only when incorporated into a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise, sleep, hydration, and overall balanced eating.

Rather than viewing bone broth as a miracle food, see it as a wholesome complement to an overall healthy and balanced diet. If nothing else, it’s simply delicious.

The Instructions Are Simple

Making bone broth is super straightforward. Most of the work involves basic prep (and prep time isn’t long at all), while the long cooking time takes care of the rest.

Though the total time may seem lengthy, rest assured it’s mostly hands-off, leaving you free to tackle other things while the slow simmer works its magic.

How do I make my own bone broth, you ask? Keep scrolling for directions.

Bone Broth Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Bone broth isn’t just nutritious, delicious, and comforting — it’s also a culinary multitasker.

You can use bone broth as a base for heartier soups and stews, incorporate it into gravies and sauces, use it instead of water to cook rice or quinoa, or enjoy it as a simple, nourishing pick-me-up. Its versatility makes bone broth a kitchen staple you’ll keep coming back to.

And don’t worry about having to eat leftovers every day in a row. Bone broth freezes beautifully in an airtight container or even an ice cube tray.

You can even pour bone broth into a travel-friendly mug for a portable meal or snack. So it’s a perfect grab-and-go option on hectic days.

Now that you have a grasp of the key of bone broth health benefits and what makes it stand out, let’s dive into the specific ingredients of our recipe.

Our simple bone broth recipe calls for:

• Whole chicken. We recommend using a whole bone-in, grass-fed, organic chicken from the grocery store. You can also add chicken feet for more marrow (marrow bones have the most nutrients and a richer flavor). If you’re making beef bone broth, use short ribs, oxtail, and shank for more marrow. Remember that beef bone broth offers a distinct taste and different nutritional profile.

• Carrots. These bright, low-carb veggies bring a natural sweetness and earthiness to balance out the other flavors in the broth. Carrots are also a good source of vitamins A, C, and K — great for boosting your immune system and supporting eye health.

• Celery. Celery adds a refreshing, mildly sweet taste to soups, and its subtle herbal notes won’t overpower other ingredients. This crisp veggie has a high water content, upping the broth’s hydration levels even further. On top of that, celery has a lot of potassium.

• Onion. No good soup is complete without onions, if you ask us. They bring a sharp, zesty bite that cuts through the richness of the broth and adds a balancing layer of sweetness. Onions also contain prebiotics to help support gut health.

• Garlic. Much like onions, no recipe is complete without garlic — especially soup recipes! Its bold, savory flavor adds a deep richness that harmonizes well with the other ingredients. Beyond flavor power, garlic is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Ginger. Ginger adds a fresh, spicy kick, plus it might support digestion and reduce inflammation.

• Fresh herbs. Adding rosemary, thyme, and oregano to your bone broth infuses it with aromatic, herbal notes that elevate the flavor profile (and fill your home with a comforting smell). For an extra layer of complexity, add some bay leaves.

• Water. This is the foundation of any soup. It’s essential for extracting all the nutrients from the bones and vegetables while also being hydrating. Some people like to add a little chicken or beef stock for a richer, more robust flavor — just be mindful of added sodium.

• Apple cider vinegar. A splash or up to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps break down the chicken carcass bones to release even more minerals, improving the flavor and nutritional value.

• Sea salt and black peppercorns. These ingredients are essential finishing touches that pull everything together. When enjoyed in moderation, sea salt delivers important trace minerals and enhances flavor, while freshly cracked black pepper adds just the right amount of zing.

Here’s how to make good bone broth at home:

1. Gather your supplies. You can use a regular large stovetop pot, crockpot, stock pot, or slow cooker (we use the latter for our recipe). You can also use a pressure cooker or instant pot to cut down cooking time, though you may not get quite the level of nutrients you would by cooking it slowly. You’ll also need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a fine mesh strainer. Having a cheesecloth handy can help, too.

2. Prep your ingredients. Chop all the veggies and herbs. Then, place the whole chicken into a large slow cooker. Next, add all of the vegetables and herbs. Fill the slow cooker with water and add the apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and set it on low heat for 24 hours.

3. Remove the solids. When it’s done cooking, carefully remove the chicken and set it aside. Then line your fine mesh strainer with a cheesecloth and set the strainer over a large bowl. Strain the broth to separate it from the solid ingredients. Discard the solids.

4. Separate the chicken meat from the bones. Wait for your chicken to cool. Once it reaches room temperature, carefully remove the chicken meat. Discard the bones and chicken skin. Put the meaty bits in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freeze to use for salads, soups, sandwiches, etc.

5. Refrigerate the broth overnight. Pour the broth into airtight containers (Mason jars work, too). Or pour it into ice cube trays and freeze them.

6. Skim the fat layer off the top and enjoy. Whether you freeze or refrigerate your broth, make sure to skim off the top layer of fat that congeals.

Last but not least, here are a few extra bone broth cooking tips that might help along the way:

• You can roast the whole chicken beforehand. If you’re already preparing a roasted chicken for dinner, save the carcass (bones, skin, and whatever you don’t eat) to use in your broth.

• Make sure to use enough cold water. Use enough water to cover the bones and vegetables fully. Also, starting with cold water — as opposed to using warm water, thinking it’ll heat up quicker — allows the bones to more gradually release their collagen, minerals, and amino acids.

• Don’t be afraid to consult a butcher. If you’ve never made bone broth before and want the best bones to create a flavorful, nourishing broth, don’t hesitate to ask your local butcher for guidance. By sourcing meat locally, you can also ensure it’s grass-fed, organic, and free of additives.

Servings: 12

Total time: 24 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (preferably organic)

• 2 carrots

• 2 ribs celery

• ½ onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, smashed

• 1-inch piece ginger, roughly chopped

• 2 large sprigs rosemary

• 2 large sprigs thyme

• 2 large sprigs oregano

• Water

• 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp. sea salt

• 1 tsp. black pepper

Cooking instructions:

1. Place the chicken in a large slow cooker. Add all the vegetables and herbs, then cover with water. Add the apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.

2. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and set on low for 24 hours.

3. Carefully remove the chicken. Put a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl and strain the broth from the remaining ingredients. Remove the chicken meat from the bones.

4. Discard the bones and chicken skin. Once the chicken reaches room temperature, remove the meat and keep it in a sealed container.

5. Refrigerate the broth overnight. In the morning, skim the fat layer off the top. Store the broth in Mason jars or pour it into ice cube trays and freeze.

6. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store them in an airtight container in the freezer. When you’re ready for broth, take out as many cubes as you need and gently reheat.