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Turkey bone broth in a large mason jar over a blue kitchen towel

Turkey Bone Broth

5 from 1 vote
Turn leftover turkey bones into a savory turkey bone broth that’s great for soups, gravies, or sipping—simple, nourishing, and full of flavor!
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:8 hours
up to 24 hours:1 day
Total Time:8 hours 20 minutes
Course: Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bone broth, Leftover Turkey, Thanksgiving
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 55kcal

Ingredients

  • leftover bones from a Thanksgiving turkey
  • 1 onion quartered (no need to peel)
  • 2 carrots roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves smashed (optional)
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • 10-12 black peppercorns
  • 1-2 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • water to cover

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Place the turkey bones on a large baking sheet.
    leftover bones from a Thanksgiving turkey
  • Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic (if using) to the same baking sheet, arranging them around the bones.
    1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 3 garlic cloves
  • Roast everything for 25-30 minutes, or until the bones and vegetables are golden brown and slightly caramelized.
  • Transfer the roasted bones and vegetables to a large stockpot or slow cooker.
  • Add the bay leaves, peppercorns, and 1 teaspoon sea salt to the pot (adjust later to taste). Pour in the apple cider vinegar and enough water to completely cover the bones and vegetables, leaving about 1-2 inches of headspace.
    1-2 bay leaves, 10-12 black peppercorns, 1-2 tsp sea salt, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Simmer the broth. For stovetop: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 8-12 hours. For slow cooker: Set on low and cook for 12-24 hours.
  • Occasionally skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.
  • Once done, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl. Discard the solids. Taste the broth and adjust the salt as needed.
  • Let the broth cool, then refrigerate. Skim off the solidified fat from the surface if desired. Store in jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

Notes

  • Roasting tip: Roasting the bones and vegetables enhances the broth’s flavor. Don’t skip this step!
  • Simmering tip: For a richer broth, simmer the bones for 12-24 hours in a slow cooker on low.
  • Storage tip: Freeze in ice cube trays for easy, portioned use in recipes.
  • Alternative bones: Chicken or beef bones can be used if turkey bones are not available.
  • Adjusting salt: Add salt at the end after straining to control the seasoning level.
  • Skimming: Skim the foam off the top during the first hour of simmering to keep the broth clear.

Nutrition

Serving: 8servings | Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 0.04g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.1mg