Bone broth is a nutritious, flavorful foundation for soups, sauces, and even a standalone drink that's gained popularity for its health benefits. This ancient cooking method transforms simple ingredients into a collagen-rich, mineral-packed liquid gold that can support joint health, digestion, and immunity. Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned chef, making bone broth at home is surprisingly simple and incredibly cost-effective. In this guide, you'll learn how to create a delicious, gelatinous bone broth that surpasses anything you can find in stores, using simple ingredients and basic kitchen equipment.
Gather Your Bones
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gather+your+bones&tag=filsdu2025-20
Select 3-4 pounds of high-quality bones from your preferred source. Beef, chicken, or pork bones work well, and you can mix different types. Look for joints, knuckles, feet, and marrow bones, as these contain the most collagen. If possible, source grass-fed beef bones or organic chicken bones from your local butcher or farmers market. For enhanced flavor, you can also include oxtail, short ribs, or chicken feet.
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=select+3&tag=filsdu2025-20
Pro Tips
- ✓
Ask your butcher to cut larger bones into smaller pieces
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ask+your+butcher+cut&tag=filsdu2025-20
- ✓
Save bones from roasted chickens or other meals in your freezer until you have enough
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=save+bones+roasted+chickens&tag=filsdu2025-20
Important Warnings
- ⚠
Ensure bones are fresh or properly frozen
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ensure+bones+fresh+or&tag=filsdu2025-20
Roast the Bones
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=roast+bones&tag=filsdu2025-20
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the bones on a large baking sheet and roast them for 30-45 minutes, turning once halfway through. This crucial step browns the bones and creates a deeper, richer flavor through the Maillard reaction. You'll know they're ready when they're golden brown and fragrant.
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=preheat+your+oven+400&tag=filsdu2025-20
Pro Tips
- ✓
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=line+your+baking+sheet&tag=filsdu2025-20
- ✓
Add a light coating of olive oil to promote better browning
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=add+light+coating+olive&tag=filsdu2025-20
Important Warnings
- ⚠
Don't skip this step - it's essential for flavor development
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
Prepare the Vegetables
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=prepare+vegetables&tag=filsdu2025-20
While the bones are roasting, prepare your aromatic vegetables. Roughly chop 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, and 1 large onion. These vegetables, known as mirepoix, will add depth and complexity to your broth. You can also add garlic cloves, leeks, or other aromatics based on your preference.
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=while+bones+roasting&tag=filsdu2025-20
Pro Tips
- ✓
Leave vegetables in large chunks as they'll be cooking for a long time
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=leave+vegetables+large+chunks&tag=filsdu2025-20
- ✓
Include vegetable scraps saved from other cooking
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=include+vegetable+scraps+saved&tag=filsdu2025-20
Add Ingredients to Pot
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=add+ingredients+pot&tag=filsdu2025-20
Transfer the roasted bones to a large stockpot or slow cooker. Add your prepared vegetables, 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of black peppercorns, and optional herbs like thyme or rosemary. Fill the pot with cold water until it covers the bones by about 2 inches. Add 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, which helps extract minerals from the bones.
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=transfer+roasted+bones+large&tag=filsdu2025-20
Pro Tips
- ✓
Use cold water to start - it produces clearer broth
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=use+cold+water+start&tag=filsdu2025-20
- ✓
Don't add salt at this stage
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
Important Warnings
- ⚠
Don't overfill your pot - leave room for simmering
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
Simmer the Broth
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=simmer+broth&tag=filsdu2025-20
Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first hour. For stovetop cooking, simmer for 12-24 hours for chicken bones or 24-48 hours for beef bones. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for the same duration.
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bring+pot+gentle+boil&tag=filsdu2025-20
Pro Tips
- ✓
The longer you simmer, the more nutrients you'll extract
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=longer+you+simmer&tag=filsdu2025-20
- ✓
Check water levels periodically and add more if needed
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=check+water+levels+periodically&tag=filsdu2025-20
Important Warnings
- ⚠
Never leave the stove unattended
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=never+leave+stove+unattended&tag=filsdu2025-20
- ⚠
Ensure the simmer is gentle - not a rolling boil
Recommended Products
Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ensure+simmer+gentle&tag=filsdu2025-20