Turkey Bone Broth – Stovetop, Instant Pot, or Slow Cooker

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Turkey bone broth, the unsung hero of the kitchen. It’s not glamorous, but it’s packed with flavor and nutrients. With just a few simple ingredients and patience, you’ll have a homemade broth that elevates your soups, stews, and more. No fancy stuff here, just pure, homemade goodness. Ready to simmer your way to liquid gold?

What is turkey bone broth?

Turkey bone broth is a flavorful liquid made by simmering turkey bones, along with water and some aromatic vegetables and herbs, for an extended period. It’s similar to chicken or beef broth but is specifically made from turkey bones.

The process involves slowly cooking the bones, often with onions, carrots, celery, and herbs, for several hours. This long simmering time allows the bones to release their collagen, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients into the liquid, creating a rich and nutritious broth.

Turkey bone broth is a versatile base for soups, stews, and sauces, and can also be consumed on its own as a warm and nourishing beverage. It’s known for its comforting flavor and potential health benefits, like supporting joint health and digestion. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of leftover turkey carcasses after a holiday meal of smoked turkey or roast turkey and reduce food waste.

What is the difference between broth, bone broth, and stock?

Broth, bone broth and stock are all savory liquids used in cooking, but they have distinct differences. Bone broth is made by simmering bones, often with some meat still attached, for an extended period, typically 8-12 hours or more. This prolonged cooking time is intended to break down collagen in the bones, resulting in a thicker, gelatinous liquid with a rich mouthfeel.

On the other hand, stock is created by simmering bones, usually with a small amount of meat, for a shorter duration, typically around 2-6 hours and broth is usually simmered only 1-2 hours.

Ingredients

In essence you really only need turkey bones and water to make turkey bone broth, but my favorite way to enhance the final taste of the bone broth is to add some herbs and veggies as well.

• turkey carcass-including skin, any juices or drippings not used to make turkey gravy, and any turkey meat still clinging to the bones
• veggies: celery, carrots, onion, garlic
• peppercorns
• herbs: thyme and rosemary

Step by step

If you can boil water you can make homemade turkey bone broth!

Simply add all the ingredients to a large stock pot or Dutch oven and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer at least 8-12 hours, the longer, the better!

After allowing the broth to cool a bit remove the large bones and veggies then strain through cheesecloth, fine-mesh strainer, or a sieve lined with a coffee filter. Refrigerate the bone broth then skim the fat layer off the top before storing.

Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Variations

Instant Pot Turkey Bone Broth – Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot and fill with water just below the max fill line. Set to “Soup” or high pressure mode and cook for 2 hours (120 minutes). Allow the pressure to release naturally.

Slow Cooker Bone Broth – Add all ingredients to a large crock pot and fill with water. Cook on low for 12-18 hours.

Tips for best results

• You do not want the broth boiling the entire time but rather keep it at a slow steady simmer. Over-boiling can break down the proteins that make bone broth so delicious and nutritious so keep it at a simmer!
• If desired you can boil the turkey alone to start and add the herbs and veggies only the last hour or so.
• To avoid heating your refrigerator up you can quick chill the strained broth by placing it in a bowl within a larger bowl of ice water.
• Some people add a couple teaspoons of wine or apple cider vinegar to the bone broth so the acidity can help coax more nutrients out of the bones, it is completely optional.
• Experiment with seasonings for extra flavor: fresh parsley, bay leaves, and ground pepper and sea salt are all common additions to bone broth recipes.

Serving suggestions

There are so many different ways to use bone broth! You can sip on it alone or use it in place of chicken broth in recipes like turkey pot pie with puff pastry, turkey soup, homestyle chicken and noodles, or use it to make ramen or enhance the flavor of any recipe that calls for chicken or turkey broth or stock.

FAQs

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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