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4.9 from 102 votes

Turkey Bone Broth

Learn how easy it is to make Turkey Stock from the bones of your Thanksgiving turkey! All you need is a picked over turkey carcass and some vegetables and herbs that you probably already have on hand from cooking your turkey. You are going to love using this flavorful turkey stock in your next soup!

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

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

  • *You can adjust the herb amounts to your taste. It's also okay if you are missing an herb or two. The parsley is important, but if you're out of sage or something, it's okay. Just use what you have. 
  •  
  • Makes 12-15 cups total. 

Nutrition Information

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

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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