The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe | Montana Happy (2024)

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Slow Cooker Turkey Broth from Turkey Carcass is the perfect recipe for nourishing bone broth. So many of us throw the turkey carcass away after the holidays. Why not make your homemade turkey stock for pennies?

If you’re looking for more delicious recipes, Slow Cooker Chicken Bone Broth and Caramelized Cream of Onion Soup will make your taste buds happy!

The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe | Montana Happy (1)

Making your own homemade turkey stock is incredibly easy to do. You simply chop up vegetable scraps you save, seasoning, the turkey carcass, and add water to your slow cooker. I like to cook my bone broth on low for 9-12 hours.

I think most of us are becoming more conscious of food waste. A good use of your whole turkey carcass is to make homemade broth that can be your base for your favorite homemade turkey soup recipe.

To make a more flavorful stock, leave some leftover meat on the bones. Experiment each year with different fresh veggies and fresh herbs from the carcass of your turkey dinner.

Is bone broth good for you? Bone Broth Benefits

Yes, it is! According to Healthline.com, bone broth has many health benefits. Animal bones are rich in magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. It also may help improve inflammation and the immune system by helping aid the digestion of other foods.

How to use turkey stock?

You can use this slow cooker turkey broth in soups, gravy, and sauces. Some people even use it as a health drink.

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Since you found this recipe for Slow Cooker Turkey Broth, I’m guessing you love all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 139,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cottage.

Here’s How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Broth from Turkey Carcass:

Ingredients for Easy Turkey Stock

Carcass of turkey (including legs and wings)

4 celery stalks cut up with leaves cut up in large pieces

4 medium unpeeled carrots, cut up in large pieces

1 large unpeeled onion, cut up in large pieces

5 unpeeled garlic cloves, halved

Small bunch fresh parsley

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon sea salt or coconut aminos

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Enough filtered water to fill slow cooker to the top

The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe | Montana Happy (2)

Directions for Making Homemade Turkey Stock in a Slow Cooker

Cut the turkey wings at the joints into three pieces.

Place the leftover bones, vegetables, and the rest of the ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker or larger. Cover with cold water and set the cook time on low for 9-12 hours.

Strain your homemade turkey broth into a large bowl using a fine mesh strainer.

Throw away the vegetables, turkey bones, peppercorns, bay leaf, garlic, and other seasonings. Let the turkey stock cool to room temperature before refrigeration.

Place the slow cooker turkey bone broth in the refrigerator overnight and skim off the fat that has become hard on top of the broth in the morning.

You can store the homemade turkey stock recipe in Mason jars or freeze them in measured portions in freezer-safe containers.

The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe | Montana Happy (3)

Tips for Making Slow Cooker Turkey Stock

  • You want to be moderate on the seasoning when making homemade stocks. The reason for this is when you use the broth to make homemade soup, adding more ingredients can make the flavor overpowering.
  • Avoid adding cabbage and turnips to the turkey broth. They will overwhelm the flavor of the stock.
  • Crack the turkey bones every inch or so before cooking for a richer soup stock.
  • Don’t skip adding the apple cider vinegar. It will help draw out the minerals and nutrients from the bones.
  • You can find a fine-mesh sieve here on Amazon.
  • Save your leftover turkey bones and vegetable scraps in the freezer until you’re ready to make the bone broth.
  • You can freeze turkey bone broth in ice cube trays when you only need a little stock. After the ice cubes freeze place them in a freezer-safe container or a freezer bag.
  • This same recipe can be used for chicken broth.
  • You can make this delicious turkey bone broth in a large pot or large stock pot as well. It will also work well in your Instant Pot.
  • Fresh thyme can be used in place of dried thyme for flavor in this delicious broth.
  • Leave out the onions and garlic if you’ll be adding this homemade turkey broth to food for dogs.
  • Use this homemade stock to flavor rice, beans, or vegetables.

How long does Turkey Bone Broth in the Slow Cooker last in the refrigerator?

This slow cooker turkey bone broth recipe will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when properly stored.

How long does Turkey Bone Stock last in the freezer?

Strained broth will last up to six months in the freezer if it’s properly stored in an airtight container.

The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe | Montana Happy (4)

How do I make turkey broth from the carcass?

To make turkey broth from the carcass, start by placing the carcass in a large stockpot. Add aromatics like carrots, celery, onions, and herbs. Cover with cold water and use your crockpot to simmer for several hours. Bring broth to room temperature and strain.

What ingredients should I use to make turkey carcass broth?

Ingredients for homemade turkey broth typically include the turkey carcass, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and peppercorns. These ingredients add depth and extra flavor to your broth.

Can I use the giblets and neck to make turkey broth?

Yes, you can add the turkey giblets and neck in your turkey broth for extra richness. Just be sure to remove excess fat or membrane from the giblets before adding them to the pot.

What can I use the turkey broth from carcass for?

Turkey broth is versatile and can be used in various dishes like soups, stews, gravies, sauces, risottos, turkey gravy, and more. It adds a delicious turkey flavor to your recipes and can be a valuable kitchen staple.

We’ve reached the end of Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe. I hope you enjoyed it.

If you tried this turkey stock recipe, let me know in the comments how you liked it.

Don’t forget to join the Creating a Cozy Life Group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!

I created a pin for this homemade turkey broth recipe below for you to put on your Pinterest board and refer back to. This will be one of your favorite recipes when you cook your next Thanksgiving turkey. It’s a great way to use your leftover carcass and not waste food.

You can follow me here on PINTEREST for more delicious recipes to make your own stock. They have so much flavor and are better for you than store-bought stock. If you make this recipe and take a photo, be sure to tag me here on INSTAGRAM.

Thanks for stopping by! I’m so happy you found us.

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Recipe Card for Homemade Turkey Bone Broth with Nutrition Facts

The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe | Montana Happy (5)

Yield: 10 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 9 hours

Total Time: 9 hours 10 minutes

Slow cooker turkey broth couldn't be easier to make. You simply save your turkey carcass and vegetable scraps. Add them to your slow cooker along with some seasonings.

Ingredients

  • Carcass of turkey (including legs and wings)
  • 4 stalks celery, cut up in large pieces with leaves
  • 4 medium carrots with skin still on, cut up in large pieces
  • 1 large unpeeled onion, cut up into four sections
  • 5 garlic cloves with skin still on, halved
  • Small bunch fresh parsley
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt or coconut aminos
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Enough filtered water to fill the slow cooker to the top

Instructions

  1. Cut the turkey wings at the joints in three pieces.
  2. Place the turkey carcass, vegetable scraps, and the rest of the ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker or larger. Cover with water and cook on low for 9-12 hours.
  3. Strain your turkey broth over a large bowl using a fine mesh strainer.
  4. Throw away the turkey bones, vegetables, and seasonings. Let the turkey stock cool.
  5. Place the turkey broth in the refrigerator overnight. Skim off the fat that has become hard on top of the broth in the morning.
  6. You can store your turkey stock in Mason jars in the refrigerator or freeze the broth.

Notes

You want to be moderate on the seasoning when making homemade stocks. The reason is when you add the broth to make homemade soup, adding more ingredients can make the flavor overpowering.

Crack the turkey bones every inch or so before cooking for a richer stock.

Avoid using cabbage and turnips to the turkey broth. They will overwhelm the flavor of the stock.

Don't skip adding the apple cider vinegar. It will help draw out the minerals and nutrients from the bones.

Save your leftover turkey bones and vegetable scraps in the freezer until you're ready to make the bone broth.

You can freeze turkey bone broth in ice cube trays when you only need a little stock. After the ice cubes freeze, place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

This same recipe can be used for chicken stock.

Fresh thyme can be used in place of dried thyme for flavor.

Leave out the onions and garlic if you'll be making this bone broth to add to your dog's food.

Use this homemade stock to flavor rice, beans, or vegetables.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 40Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 12mgSodium 258mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 4g

The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Broth Recipe | Montana Happy (2024)

FAQs

Which is better turkey stock or turkey broth? ›

Turkey Stock is made from primarily from bones while broth is made from more meaty pieces. I find broth usually has more flavor and to be honest, I make both the same way. Either can be done on the stove or in the slow cooker.

Why did my turkey broth turn to jelly? ›

It turns out, if your turkey stock turns into a jelly-like consistency after it's been cooled, you've made your stock perfectly. The bones (especially the wings) have collagen inside of them, and when you simmer them for a long time, it breaks down into gelatin and makes a very rich and delicious stock.

Why is my turkey stock so thick? ›

Typically, stock includes bones - it's made with drippings and scraps from chicken, turkey, or beef. Stock also tends to have a longer cook time in order to pull all of the nutrients and collagen out of those bones, and can therefore have a thick, gelatinous texture once it's cooled.

Is drinking turkey broth good for you? ›

The carcass's connective tissue can also add collagen, which can be beneficial to joint health. And bone marrow can be rich in iron, vitamins A and K and other nutrients. Adding vegetables to the broth can also add nutrients.

Should you use the skin when making turkey stock? ›

Making turkey stock is a great way to use what you have on hand post-Thanksgiving. It's easy and economical: Almost all leftover parts of the bird can be put to use, including the bones, the skin, and small bits of meat attached to the carcass.

Is turkey broth and turkey stock the same thing? ›

Ingredients: Stock is usually made from meat trimmings and bones. Broth is the liquid leftover from simmering meat in water. So, if you boil the turkey wings and bones left over from a roast turkey in water, that's turkey stock; If you boil an entire turkey or a turkey breast, the leftover liquid is turkey broth.

What should you not put in bone broth? ›

However, do not add onions, carrots, celery or herbs to your initial pot of simmering bone broth. Instead, enjoy the pure, rich flavor that comes from just the bones, fat, connective tissue and any small amount of meat that may still be on the bones; it is not something that needs or wants amending.

Why isn't my turkey broth clear? ›

Emulsification of fats: Just like how water and oil can emulsify into an opaque mayonnaise, fats from meat or bones can emulsify into the water of your stock, making it cloudy. The culprit? Boiling. Fats in your stock emulsify with the water when the stock boils.

What is the secret to gelatinous bone broth? ›

Start with High-Quality Bones

While herbs, spices, sea salt, and vegetables can give your broth flavor, the real secret is in the bones. That's because some cuts of meat and some bones contain more collagen than others. The more collagen-rich ingredients you add to your pot, the more gelatinous your broth will be.

Why add vinegar to turkey stock? ›

I add a little vinegar to my stocks to help pull the minerals from the bones, creating a nutrient-rich stock. Place all of the ingredients into a very large stainless steel pot, at least 12-quart, if not larger. You will want to add enough water to just cover the turkey and vegetables.

Can you overcook turkey stock? ›

Can you overcook turkey stock? Yes, the culprit is high heat. A really long simmer time (even up to 4-5 hours) is totally fine, as long as it's a gentle simmer and not a fast boil. High heat deadens the flavors of all those wonderful herbs.

Can you overcook turkey bone broth? ›

Yes, you can overcook turkey bone broth. If it simmers much longer than 3 hours, it will begin to turn milky and lose its silky texture.

What is the healthiest meat broth? ›

Our Recommendations
  • Best Overall: FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best for Sipping: Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best Lower Sodium: Pacific Foods Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best Budget: Zoup Good, Really Good Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best for On-the-Go: Bare Bones Bone Broth Instant Powdered Beverage Mix (Variety)
Jan 4, 2024

Is turkey broth anti inflammatory? ›

In addition to bolstering your joints, bone broth promotes a healthy gut, fights inflammation, and supports skin health. You can use your turkey bone broth as a base for soups, stews, and sauces, but sipping a steaming cup of this restorative draft is traditional!

Which is better stock or broth? ›

As a result, stock is usually a healthier product, delivering a richer mouth feel and deeper flavor than broth. Stock is a versatile culinary tool that can deliver taste to any number of dishes. Darker in color and more concentrated in flavor than broth, it's ideal for use in soups, rice, sauces and more.

Can I use turkey broth instead of stock? ›

Turkey stock can be used in just about any way you use chicken or vegetable stock.

Which is better for sipping broth or stock? ›

As a result, bone broth is typically saltier and more flavorful than stock because it's designed to be sipped on its own.

What is turkey broth good for? ›

The benefits of bone broth go beyond its flavor. It is full of collagen and gelatin which are great for hair, nail and skin health as well as healthy joints. It's also full of nutrients that can contribute to improved gut and immune system health.

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