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Turkey Bone Broth
4.9 from 102 votes

Turkey Bone Broth

Turkey Bone Broth is made by simmering a turkey carcass with aromatics like onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and fresh herbs for several hours. The result is a rich, flavorful broth perfect as a base for soups or cooking grains. This recipe utilizes leftover turkey parts and common kitchen herbs.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 14 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey carcass 12-15 pound, picked over
  • turkey neck if you have it (it's ok if you don't)
  • giblets if you have them (it's ok if you don't)
  • turkey drippings if you have them (it's ok if you don't, leftover
  • 1 onion peeled and quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic smashed
  • 2 large carrot scrubbed or peeled, chopped into thirds
  • celery leaves included, about 1/3 head
  • 1 large parsley roughly torn or chopped, bunch
  • 1/2 bunch sage roughly torn or chopped
  • 3-4 prigs rosemary fresh
  • 5 prigs thyme
  • 3 bay leaf
  • 8-10 whole peppercorns
  • water about 4 quarts

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place your turkey carcass into a very large stock pot (at least 6-quart capacity.) Add in your turkey neck, giblets, any skin, and leftover turkey drippings, if you have them. It's okay if you don't, you will still get a great turkey stock from just the carcass.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic. Chop off about a third of a head of celery, the end that has the leaves preferably, but use what you have. You should have several short stalks. Add them to the pot.
  3. Add a bunch of parsley, half a bunch of sage, 3-4 sprigs of rosemary, and about 5 sprigs of thyme.* Tear the herbs up a bit so they start releasing flavor faster.
  4. Add 3 bay leaves and 8-10 peppercorns.
  5. Cover the turkey and vegetables with about 4 quarts of water, or however much you need to submerge everything in the pot (at least mostly, some parts sticking out is okay.)
  6. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. After if has come to a rapid boil, turn the burner down to just below medium, or wherever you can maintain a low simmer. There should be gentle bubbles but nothing too active.The liquid should be gently moving at all times, not still.
  7. Simmer for about 2-4 hours. See how chill this recipe is? I would say 2 hours is the minimum, 4 hours will get you a super duper rich stock. Check on it every now and then, and skim off any foam or scum that may settle on the top. If your water is boiling off too quickly and the bones start to stick out of the water, add more water to cover it up, and bring back to a simmer.
  8. Pour the stock through a colander into a large bowl (or two), catching any bones or vegetables.
  9. At this point I like to use a gravy fat separator to easily discard all the fat that will rise to the top. You can also just wait for the stock to cool (or refrigerate/freeze it) and skim the fat off with a spoon.
  10. Allow stock to cool before moving to an airtight container and placing in the fridge or freezer. I like to use mason jars if you plan to store in the fridge, or quart size ziplocks if you plan to freeze.
  11. Use this turkey stock as a base for soups or anything that calls for chicken broth!
  12. Stock can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for about 3 months.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
  1. Add all the ingredients to a large crock pot. Cook on low for 10-12 hours. Pick up with the recipe in step 8, when you strain it through a colander.

Notes

  • Adjust herb quantities to your taste; parsley is key, but missing some herbs is acceptable.
  • The broth yields approximately 12-15 cups, suitable for multiple uses or freezing in portions.
  • Including turkey necks, giblets, or drippings is optional but can enrich the broth.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 14kcal (1%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Potassium 89mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 2441IU (49%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 21mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 14

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 14kcal 1%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Potassium 89mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 2441IU 49%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 21mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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