Bone Broth Is Liquid Gold — Here’s How to Make It

Sipping a steaming mug of rich and savory chicken bone broth brings comfort and warmth to chilly winter days. While grocery stores carry a variety of beef and chicken bone broths, the homemade stuff is infinitely better than most store-bought versions, uses inexpensive ingredients, and is much easier to make than you might think. Despite its long simmer time, cooking this collagen-rich liquid is primarily a hands-off process. Here’s how to make bone broth for sipping and soups.

What is bone broth?

Bone broth is a flavorful liquid made by simmering animal bones in water with aromatics such as onion, carrots, and celery. What can be confusing is that bone broth is technically the same thing as stock, but is generally cooked longer than most stocks. As the bone broth simmers at a low heat for several hours — typically at least eight hours and sometimes up to 24 hours — the collagen from the connective tissue is dissolved into the broth to create a naturally collagen-rich liquid.

Related: Stock vs. Broth: What's the Difference?

How to make bone broth

Bone broth is easy to make. Start by roasting bones in an oven set to a high heat, 450°F, so they brown quickly. Roast the bones until lightly browned, then transfer them to a large stockpot with cold water and aromatics such as onion, celery, carrot, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to lsimmer, occasionally skimming fat and foam from the surface, until broth is rich and fragrant, eight to 12 hours. Add water to the pot as needed throughout the simmering time to ensure the bones stay submerged. Skim the broth and discard the solids.

Get the recipe: Chicken Bone Broth

What type of bones are best for bone broth?

For a rich and flavorful bone broth, it’s important to use bones that contain connective tissue or marrow. When making beef bone broth, source knuckle, neck, or marrow bones (sometimes labeled as beef soup bones). For chicken bone broth, use chicken carcasses, necks, feet, or wings.

Get the Recipe: Ham Broth

How to store bone broth

Bone broth can be stored, in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to five days, or in the freezer for up to six months. Thaw bone broth in a large pot over low heat, or in the refrigerator overnight.

To quickly cool down a large pot of freshly made bone broth before putting it in the refrigerator, fill a large bowl with ice water. Transfer broth to a large bowl or container that fits into the ice bath. Place the bowl of broth into the ice bath and chill, stirring occasionally, until broth has cooled to 40°F, about one hour. Once chilled, the broth can be placed in the refrigerator or freezer.

Related: Why You Should Never Put Hot Soup or Stock in the Fridge

What’s the best store-bought bone broth?

In addition to being relatively expensive, most store-bought bone broths lack the complexity of homemade bone broth. Store-bought versions often taste watered down and overly salty. However, Brodo is one store-bought variety, available via mail order, that we can get behind. Made from organic chickens and vegetables and grass-fed cattle, Brodo bone broths are rich, savory, and perfect for sipping. Plus, they congeal into a gel-like consistency when chilled, a sure sign that they’re loaded with healthy collagen.

Related: The Best Soups, Stews, and Sauces Start With Homemade Stock and Broth

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