Gut-Healthy Turkey Bone Broth Recipe

Introduction

Discover the nourishing goodness of Gut-Healthy Turkey Bone Broth, a warm, flavorful way to use leftover turkey carcass while boosting your digestive health. This broth simmers slowly to extract all the rich nutrients and collagen for a comforting, versatile base.

Ingredients

• 1 leftover roast turkey carcass including skin and fat (preferably from a 12-18 lb roast turkey)
• Filtered cold water, to cover (approximately 3 quarts or 12 cups, enough to cover the bird by at least 1 inch)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Optional: 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
• Optional: 2-3 large carrots, cut into rounds
• Optional: 2-3 large celery stalks, roughly chopped
• Optional: 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• Optional: 2 bay leaves
• Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh herbs like sage, thyme, or rosemary
• Generous sprinkle of sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the turkey carcass (bones and skin) to a large Dutch oven, stockpot, slow cooker, or instant pot. You may need to break it into smaller parts to fit.
2. Step 2 (Stovetop method): Cover with filtered cold water (about 3 quarts or 12 cups) and add apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a low simmer for 10–12 hours.
3. Step 3 (Slow-cooker method): Cover with filtered cold water and apple cider vinegar. Cook on low for 7 hours, then add optional vegetables and garlic, cooking 1 more hour (8 hours total).
4. Step 4 (Instant-pot method): Add filtered cold water, apple cider vinegar, and optional vegetables and garlic. Seal and pressure cook on high for 120 minutes. If possible, run a second cycle on low pressure for another 120 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 20–30 minutes.
5. Step 5: If using, add herbs 30 minutes before finishing on stovetop or slow cooker, or steep herbs for 10 minutes after pressure cooking in instant pot.
6. Step 6: Season with sea salt to taste. Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl or container.
7. Step 7: Quickly cool the broth with an ice bath to room temperature, then transfer into wide mouth glass jars for storage.

Tips & Variations

• For the best flavor and nutrient extraction, simmer broth low and slow, especially with stovetop or slow cooker methods.
• Add vegetables and garlic toward the end to preserve their flavor and nutrients.
• Try fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage for added aroma and health benefits.
• You can freeze the broth in ice cube trays for convenient, small portions.

Storage

Store the cooled broth in wide mouth glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot. For longer storage, freeze the broth for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a fresh turkey carcass instead of leftover?

Yes, a fresh turkey carcass works well for this recipe. Just be sure to include skin and fat to maximize flavor and nutrient content.

Why add apple cider vinegar to the broth?

Apple cider vinegar helps to break down the bones, releasing minerals and collagen into the broth for enhanced nutrition and richness.

Gut-Healthy Turkey Bone Broth Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 133 reviews

• Author: Aiden
• Total Time: Approximately 10-12 hours stovetop, 8 hours slow cooker, 3-4 hours Instant Pot
• Yield: Approximately 10–12 cups (about 2.5 to 3 quarts) of turkey bone broth 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Gut-Healthy Turkey Bone Broth recipe transforms a leftover roast turkey carcass into a nutrient-rich, flavorful broth perfect for soups, stews, or sipping on its own. With options to use a stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, this recipe provides a versatile and gut-supportive stock loaded with collagen, minerals, and natural flavors from turkey bones, vegetables, and herbs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• 1 leftover roast turkey carcass including skin and fat (preferably from a 12–18 lb roast turkey)
• Filtered cold water, to cover (approximately 3 quarts or 12 cups, enough to cover the bird by at least 1 inch)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Generous sprinkle of sea salt

Optional Vegetables

• 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
• 2–3 large carrots, cut into rounds
• 2–3 large celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

Optional Herbs

• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs like sage, thyme, or rosemary

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Turkey Carcass: Break down the leftover turkey carcass into smaller parts if necessary to fit in your cooking vessel. Include skin and fat for extra richness.
2. Add Ingredients to Cooking Vessel: Place the turkey carcass into a large Dutch oven, stockpot, slow cooker, or Instant Pot. Cover with filtered cold water (about 3 quarts or 12 cups) making sure the bird is submerged at least an inch. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to help extract minerals from the bones.
3. Cook the Broth:
   • Stovetop Method: Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low simmer for 10-12 hours.
   • Slow Cooker Method: Cook on low heat for 7 hours initially.
   • Instant Pot Method: Seal and pressure cook on high for 120 minutes. Optionally, run a second cycle on low pressure for 120 minutes, followed by natural pressure release for 20-30 minutes.
4. Add Vegetables and Garlic:
   • Stovetop: Add optional garlic and vegetables 1 hour before finishing cooking.
   • Slow Cooker: Add garlic and vegetables after first 7 hours, cook for an additional hour.
   • Instant Pot: Add garlic and vegetables at start with carcass and vinegar.
5. Add Fresh Herbs:
   • Stovetop & Slow Cooker: Add fresh herbs and bay leaves 30 minutes before finishing cooking.
   • Instant Pot: Stir in fresh herbs after cooking and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
6. Season and Strain: Once cooked, season the broth with a generous sprinkle of sea salt. Pour the broth through a fine mesh sieve or strainer into a large bowl or container to remove solids and bones.
7. Cool and Store: Quickly cool the strained broth using an ice bath until it reaches room temperature. Transfer to wide mouth glass jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

• For the richest flavor and best nutrition, simmer the broth low and slow (stovetop or slow cooker preferred).
• The Instant Pot method is a quicker alternative but may yield slightly less deep flavor.
• Add vegetables and garlic closer to the end of cooking to retain their flavor and nutrients without becoming mushy.
• Use apple cider vinegar to help extract minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium from the bones.
• Make sure to cool broth quickly to prevent bacterial growth and maximize safety.
• Discard or compost the solids after straining as they will have given up most of their nutrients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 hours (stovetop), 8 hours (slow cooker), 2-4 hours (Instant Pot including pressure release and herb steeping)
• Category: Broth
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: turkey bone broth, gut-healthy broth, homemade bone broth, turkey carcass broth, slow simmer broth, collagen broth, gut healing soup base