What is Bone Broth?
Bone broth might be all the rage among nutrition and health circles right now, but it is nothing new. Bone broth is affordable, full of nutrients, and has been used by many cultures for hundreds of years.
Most of the nutrients in bone broth come from animal parts that people rarely eat like bones, tendons, and ligaments. These connective animal parts are said to have a ton of nutritional benefits in-part because of the collagen that comes out when boiled.
Bone broth is rich in a protein called gelatin that is made from dissolved collagen and is rich in B vitamins, amino acids like glycine and proline, and nutrients that support joint health.
Despite popular claims, bone broth is not a good source of calcium or other minerals.
Tips for Making Your Own Broth
Beef Bone Broth
For beef bone broth and beef stock, we recommend using the knuckle and neck bones as well as shanks and oxtails. You can also use marrow bones. Just be careful not to use too much marrow or you will end up with a greasy texture and no gel.
Chicken Bone Broth
For chicken bone broth, use chicken feet, the frame of a roasted chicken, chicken backs, and wing tips. You can also make a more collagen rich broth by using only chicken feet.
Pork Bone Broth
For pork, use ham hocks and pork neck bones. If you can find pork trotters (feet), those are really good too.
How to Prepare Bone Broth
- Make sure to roast the bones first. Roasting bones caramelizes the proteins and releases some fat, for a rich and full flavor.
- Use an acidic ingredient like wine to help balance the flavors of the broth. You can also use apple cider vinegar, but we prefer wine.
- Don’t use too much water. Use just enough to just cover the bones. A good bone broth gets its high gel and protein content because less water is used to make them compared to meat broths and traditional stocks.
- Scrape off any foam that rises to the top. Don’t worry, it’s mostly protein and is fine to eat but it can make your broth appear cloudy and can change the flavor slightly.
What to do With Bone Broth
Bone broth is a solid ingredient for a ton of soups and stews. You can also use it to give your gravy or pan sauce a rich taste all its own. Of course, you can sip it on its own as a nutritional tonic.
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