Hearty Slow Cooker Bone Broth Recipe at Home

Crafting a nourishing slow cooker bone broth can revolutionize your kitchen wellness routine.

Bones simmering for hours create liquid gold packed with healing minerals and collagen.

Nutrient-dense broths offer incredible health benefits beyond traditional cooking methods.

Home cooks appreciate how minimal effort yields maximum nutritional impact.

This liquid delight transforms ordinary ingredients into a powerful wellness elixir.

Rich, deep flavors develop slowly, infusing your kitchen with comforting aromas.

Let this simple recipe inspire you to unlock remarkable culinary potential.

Why Bone Broth Is a Kitchen Essential

• Unlock a powerhouse of health benefits with minimal preparation, making nutrient-dense bone broth accessible to everyone.
• Slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful liquid without constant monitoring.
• Transform inexpensive bones and kitchen scraps into a nutrient-packed broth, saving money while supporting your health with minimal investment.
• Use as a base for soups, sauces, or drink on its own, providing a flexible ingredient that elevates multiple recipes with deep, complex flavor.

What Goes Into a Slow Cooker Bone Broth

• Beef Bones, Chicken Bones: Meaty bones rich in collagen and minerals, providing deep flavor and nutritional value. Grass-fed or pasture-raised bones offer better quality and nutrients.
• Marrow Bones: Adds richness and extra depth to the broth with its gelatinous texture and concentrated flavor.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix blend creating aromatic base with sweet and savory undertones. Fresh vegetables work best for intense flavor profile.
• Garlic: Provides robust flavor and potential health benefits. Choose fresh, firm garlic cloves.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Helps extract minerals from bones and softens them during cooking. Raw, unfiltered vinegar recommended.
• Bay Leaves, Peppercorns, Salt: Herbs and seasonings that round out the broth's complex flavor. Whole peppercorns preferred over ground pepper.
• Fresh Herbs (Optional): Parsley, thyme, rosemary can add additional herbal notes. Choose organic, fresh herbs for best results.

• Filtered Water: Clean water ensures pure, untainted broth. Avoid tap water with strong mineral content.

How to Simmer for Maximum Flavor

Step 1: Enhance Bone Flavor

Spread bones on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. This caramelizes the bones, creating a deeper, richer taste profile.

Step 2: Layer Ingredients

• Roasted bones
• Vegetable scraps
• Apple cider vinegar
• Fresh herbs
• Bay leaves
• Salt
• Black pepper

Fill the slow cooker with water, completely covering all ingredients.

Step 3: Slow Simmer

Set slow cooker to low heat and cook for 12-24 hours. Longer cooking time extracts maximum nutrients and minerals. Periodically remove foam and impurities surfacing on top.

Step 4: Strain Liquid Gold

Remove bones carefully from the slow cooker. Pour broth through a fine mesh strainer into a large container, catching all solid particles.

Step 5: Preserve and Chill

Allow broth to reach room temperature. Transfer to storage containers and refrigerate. Optional: Remove solidified fat layer from the top once chilled.

Broth Tips for a Rich, Nutrient-Dense Result

• Boost Bone Flavor: Roast bones in the oven before slow cooking to enhance depth and richness of your broth.
• Maximize Nutrient Extraction: Let broth simmer for 12-24 hours to pull out maximum minerals and gelatin from bones.
• Skim for Clarity: Remove foam and impurities during cooking to create a cleaner, more refined bone broth.
• Store Smartly: Refrigerate broth and remove solidified fat layer for a healthier, clearer liquid base.
• Customize Your Blend: Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to create unique flavor profiles.

How to Cool, Store, and Use Later

• Store bone broth in airtight containers for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled broth into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, leaving space for expansion. Frozen broth keeps well for 4-6 months.
• Gently warm broth in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling to preserve nutrients and flavor.
• Transfer desired amount to a microwave-safe container, heat in short intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What Dishes Go Well with Bone Broth

• Serve warm, crusty sourdough or artisan whole grain bread alongside the bone broth for a hearty, comforting meal that allows guests to soak up the rich, nutritious liquid.
• Create a light, crisp salad with mixed greens, fresh herbs like parsley and dill, cucumber slices, and a light vinaigrette to balance the deep, intense broth flavors.
• Select a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or a mulled wine with warming spices such as cinnamon and clove to complement the bone broth's deep, mineral-rich profile.
• Prepare a medley of roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes seasoned with rosemary and thyme to echo the broth's earthy undertones.

Flavor Add-ins for Health or Taste

• Low-Sodium Version: Replace salt with herb-infused salt alternatives like dried kelp or zero-sodium seasoning blends for heart-healthy individuals monitoring sodium intake.
• Vegetarian Bone Broth Alternative: Swap animal bones with roasted mushroom stems, kombu seaweed, and root vegetables like carrots and celery to create a nutrient-dense vegetable-based broth with rich umami flavor.
• Immune-Boosting Adaptation: Add fresh ginger, turmeric, garlic, and medicinal mushrooms like reishi or shiitake during cooking to enhance the broth's immune-supporting properties and increase antioxidant content.
• Paleo-Friendly Version: Select grass-fed beef bones or free-range chicken bones, ensuring organic ingredients and avoiding any potential inflammatory additives while maintaining high protein and mineral content.

FAQ for Bone Broth Beginners

• Why use apple cider vinegar in bone broth?

Apple cider vinegar helps break down collagen and minerals from the bones, making them more easily absorbed when you drink the broth.

• Can I use different types of bones?

Yes, you can mix bones like chicken, beef, or turkey. Marrow bones, knuckles, and joints work best for extracting maximum nutrients and creating a rich, gelatinous broth.

• Is it normal for bone broth to look gelatinous when cold?

Absolutely! A good bone broth will turn into a jelly-like consistency when refrigerated. This indicates high collagen content and shows you’ve extracted nutrients successfully.

• How do I know if my bone broth is done correctly?

A properly made bone broth should be clear, have a rich golden color, and have a deep, savory flavor. When cooled, it should have a wobbly, gel-like texture that indicates nutrient density.

Slow Cooker Bone Broth Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 24 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Hearty bone broth simmers slowly, releasing rich flavors that comfort and nourish the soul. Homemade liquid gold delivers deep nutrients and warmth, inviting you to savor each nourishing spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bones and Meat:

• 23 lbs (900 g-1.4 kg) beef bones, chicken carcasses, or a mix (preferably with joints or marrow bones)

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• Fresh herbs (e.g., thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
• 12 cups (2.8 liters) water
• Salt, to taste (optional)

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Instructions

1. Enhance bone flavor by roasting them in a 400F (200C) oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown, intensifying the overall taste profile.
2. Transfer roasted bones into the slow cooker, carefully layering with chopped vegetables, aromatic herbs, bay leaves, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for depth.
3. Completely submerge ingredients with cool water, ensuring all components are fully covered within the slow cooker vessel.
4. Configure slow cooker to low temperature setting, allowing the liquid to gently simmer and extract maximum nutrients over 12-24 hours, periodically removing any foam or impurities that surface.
5. After extended cooking time, carefully extract and discard solid bone and vegetable remnants using a sturdy strainer or fine mesh sieve.
6. Pour strained broth through a clean filter into a spacious container, capturing all rich, concentrated liquid while eliminating potential sediment.
7. Allow broth to cool naturally to room temperature, then transfer to refrigerator for chilling.
8. Once thoroughly cooled, optionally remove solidified fat layer from the broth’s surface for a clearer, leaner liquid.

Notes

• Enhance bone broth’s flavor by optional roasting bones before slow cooking, which caramelizes proteins and develops deeper, richer taste profiles.
• Maximize nutrient extraction by simmering bones low and slow for extended periods, allowing collagen, minerals, and amino acids to fully release into broth.
• Achieve crystal-clear broth by consistently skimming foam and impurities during cooking process, ensuring clean and pure liquid without cloudiness.
• Customize broth for dietary needs by selecting specific bone types like grass-fed beef, organic chicken, or wild-caught fish to match nutritional preferences and health goals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-24 hours
• Category: Drinks, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 40
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg