Bone Broth: A Healing Staple Every Kitchen Needs
Bone Broth: A Healing Staple Every Kitchen Needs
If there’s one thing I always recommend keeping in the freezer, it’s homemade bone broth. This humble staple is one of the most nourishing, cost-effective, and versatile foods you can make. Whether you’re focused on gut health, reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, or simply cooking from scratch, bone broth belongs in your routine.
What is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissues with water, vegetables, and herbs for an extended period. The result is a deeply flavourful and mineral-rich broth that is high in collagen, gelatin, amino acids, and other nutrients that support healing and repair in the body.
Top Benefits of Bone Broth
Supports Joint and Bone Health
Bone broth contains collagen and gelatin, which help support healthy cartilage and joints. It also provides minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in a form the body can easily absorb.Heals the Gut
The gelatin in bone broth helps to restore the gut lining and supports digestion. It is particularly helpful for those with leaky gut, food sensitivities, or inflammatory bowel conditions.Strengthens the Immune System
Rich in amino acids like glutamine, arginine, and cysteine, bone broth helps strengthen immune function and reduce inflammation.Improves Skin, Hair, and Nails
Collagen and gelatin also help promote skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and support strong hair and nails.Aids Detoxification
Bone broth supports the liver’s natural detox pathways thanks to its glycine content. It also helps replenish minerals that may be depleted during periods of stress or illness.
How to Make Your Own Bone Broth
Making your own broth is simple, cost effective, and a great way to use up leftover bones and vegetable scraps rather than letting them go to waste. When using scraps and bones you’ve collected over a period of time, it is basically free! :-)
Simply add your bones, vegetables, apple cider vinegar, herbs and spices to a large pot, cover with filtered water by 1-2 inches, and cook. You can do this in your pressure cooker for 2-3 hours, your slow cooker for 12-24 hours, or on your stove-top for 8-10 hours. When done, let cool, strain, pour into jars and store in the freezer.
Tips:
For a richer broth, roast the bones and veg at 375°F for 45-60 minutes before simmering.
You can save bones and veggie scraps in the freezer until you’re ready to make a batch.
Freeze in mason jars (leave room at the top) or silicone cubes for convenience.
How to Use It
Sip bone broth on its own as a warm, comforting drink, or use it as a base for soups, stews, grains, sauces, and sautés. It’s an easy way to add nutrients and flavour to everyday meals. Even your pups will love a splash added to their kibble!
Final Thoughts
Bone broth is an age-old remedy for a reason. It’s simple, nourishing, and supports so many areas of health. If you’ve never made your own, give it a try… your body (and your taste buds) will thank you.
Recipe:
Click on the links below to get a copy of my Chicken Bone Broth recipe that I make on a monthly basis. Feel free to change up the bones to use turkey or beef bones as well! Enjoy!!
