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Close-up shot of freshly strained turkey bone broth with herbs floating on the surface, ideal for soups and stews.

Turkey Bone Broth

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
This turkey bone broth is made from leftover turkey bones, fresh herbs, onion, carrots, and garlic. Simmered to perfection, it’s a flavorful base for soups, stews, and sipping, while reducing food waste and maximizing nutrition.
12 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey carcass 12-15 pounds, picked over
  • Turkey neck if available
  • Giblets if available
  • Leftover turkey drippings optional
  • 1 onion peeled and quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves smashed
  • 2 large carrots scrubbed and cut into thirds
  • head of celery leaves included
  • 1 large bunch of parsley roughly torn
  • ½ bunch of sage roughly torn
  • 3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • 5 sprigs of thyme
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 8-10 whole peppercorns
  • 4 quarts of water or enough to cover

Instructions
 

Prepare the Pot:

  1. Place the turkey carcass into a large stockpot (at least 6 quarts). If available, add the turkey neck, giblets, and any remaining skin or turkey drippings for additional richness.

Add Vegetables and Aromatics:

  1. Add the quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves, chopped carrots, and celery. Incorporate the parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme, tearing the herbs slightly to help release their essential oils.

Incorporate Seasonings:

  1. Add the bay leaves and whole peppercorns to the pot.

Add Water:

  1. Pour approximately 4 quarts of water into the pot, or enough to mostly submerge the turkey carcass and vegetables. If some parts of the carcass remain above the waterline, they will still contribute to the broth’s flavor.

Bring to a Boil and Simmer:

  1. Bring the contents to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. The liquid should move lightly, with small bubbles visible but no vigorous boiling.

Simmer for Several Hours:

  1. Allow the broth to simmer for 2 to 4 hours. Longer simmering will result in a richer, more flavorful stock. Occasionally check the broth, skimming off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface. If the water reduces significantly and bones become exposed, add additional water and return to a gentle simmer.

Strain the Broth:

  1. Once the broth has reached the desired richness, carefully strain it through a colander or mesh sieve into a large bowl, discarding the bones, vegetables, and herbs.

Separate the Fat (Optional):

  1. If desired, use a fat separator to remove excess fat from the broth. Alternatively, allow the broth to cool and refrigerate it, then skim the solidified fat from the surface.

Cool and Store:

  1. Let the strained broth cool to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. Mason jars work well for refrigeration, while freezer-safe bags or containers are ideal for long-term storage.

Notes

To ensure this turkey bone broth is completely gluten-free, use fresh herbs and whole spices without any pre-packaged blends, as some commercial spice mixes can contain gluten as fillers or anti-caking agents. Verify any turkey drippings or pre-brined turkeys for added starches or flavorings. A fully homemade broth following these instructions will be naturally gluten-free.
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