Bone broth is a traditional food that has been used for thousands of years. It’s easy and cheap to make, and incredibly nutritious! This post covers the benefits of bone broth and how to make homemade bone broth from scratch!
WHAT IS BONE BROTH?
Bone broth is a liquid created by boiling and simmering animal bones! This process creates a delicious, easy to digest and nutritious product that is popular all around the world!
Bone broth can be made with chicken, beef, pork, fish or even vegetables for a vegetarian broth option!
I’m just going to be covering chicken bone broth today!
BENEFITS OF HOMEMADE BONE BROTH
Bone broth is a soothing food that is easy for our body to digest. This makes it excellent for many people suffering from digestive issues such as leaky gut or IBS.
Bone broth contains gelaton and collagen which help rebuild the gut lining. Holes in the gut lining (leaky gut) can contribute to endless health issues!
Bone broth is full of bio-available vitamins A, B, D as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and selenium. Since the broth has a high (good) fat content, the vitamins are easily absorbed by our bodies!
- Digestive Support
- Heal a Leaky Gut
- Gentle Detox
- Support Immune Function
- Healthy Skin
- Easily absorbable minerals
- Reduce Food Waste
Bone broth is a powerhouse for your holistic medicine cabinet!
HOMEMADE VS STOREBOUGHT
As with many other food products, storebought bone broth often contains added ingredients such as table salt, sugar, or “natural flavours”.
Making homemade bone broth is cheaper since you are using bones from meat you’ve already eaten, it reduces waste and the need to buy a product that comes in packaging, and you have full control of what goes into it!
Not to mention, homemade bone broth is almost always more nutritious and tasty than storebought!
ORGANIC GRASS-FED BONES
I highly recommend using organic grass-fed and/or pasture raised bones for your homemade bone broth! Organic, grass-fed animals have been raised without the use of antibiotics, hormones and GMO feed.
Personally, I don’t use unnecessary antibiotics or hormones, nor do I eat GMO food so why would I want those things in the food I consume?
These bones are nutritionally superior to conventionally raised animals and your broth (and meat!) will reflect that.
USING VEGETABLE SCRAPS
Many broth recipes, including the ones I will share, contain vegetables such as carrots, celery and onion. It’s common to use vegetable scraps such as peels, or the ends of carrots or celery.
A good tip is to keep a ziploc or container in your freezer so you can add scraps anytime you have them in your kitchen! This is an excellent way to reduce your food waste and get the most from your budget!
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN BONE BROTH
Cooking bone broth in the slow cooker is effortless and fool-proof! You can start it in the morning before going to work, or cook it overnight while you’re sleeping!
Many slow-cookers have a timer function, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting about your broth!
NOTE: If you’re missing an herb or vegetable, no worries! It will still turn out delicious. These spices and herbs are just inspiration.
STOVE-TOP CHICKEN BONE BROTH
The basic recipe is the same for making your homemade bone broth on the stovetop vs the crockpot.
The major difference is that you’ll need to monitor the stove a little bit more and it may not be as safe an option if you won’t be home the whole time.
WHY APPLE CIDER VINEGAR?
An acidic ingredient such as apple cider vinegar is necessary to pull the minerals out of the bones. You will not be able to taste this in the final product.
Alternatively you can use white vinegar or even wine.
HOW TO ENJOY HOMEMADE BONE BROTH
- Drink first thing in the morning: Homemade bone broth is an excellent way to start your day! If you choose to heat your broth, be sure to avoid the microwave as it will destroy the nutrients!
- Add to soups, sauces, stir-fry
- Use it in place of water to cook pasta, rice, quinoa
- Add a few teaspoons of arrowroot powder or cornstarch to make gravy
STORING BONE BROTH
Bone broth can be stored in the fridge for about 1 week.
If you’d like to store it beyond that, it can be stored in the freezer for at least 4-6 months.
The most convenient way to store it is in glass mason jars (I love to reuse glass spaghetti sauce jars!).
Leave 2-3 inches of air in the jar to ensure it doesn’t expand and explode!
For easy to access servings, you can pour the broth into an ice cube tray, freeze and then store the broth cubes in a container or ziploc!
