Easy Crockpot Bone Broth
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Make this Easy Crockpot Bone Broth Recipe with chicken bones, beef bones or even turkey! A slow cooker bone broth that is so easy to make!
This post was originally shared in 2018 but has since been updated.
Once you give this Easy Crockpot Bone Broth a try, you’ll never go back to store bought broth.
You can make homemade bone broth in your crockpot for a fraction of the price of store bought broth.
It takes only a few minutes of prep time and 2 ingredients to make!
Liz’s Tips for the Best Bone Broth
- Roast the bones ahead of time– We recommend cooking your bones in the oven before putting them in the slow cooker. Roast at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes before adding to your crockpot.
- Have containers for freezing! You will get at least 12 cups of broth depending on the size of your crockpot. It lasts in the freezer for months. These are our favorite containers for freezing!
- Double strain your broth. I usually strain through a large strainer, discard the bones, then run the broth through a fine mesh strainer to catch any small pieces that may have slipped through.
Ingredients for bone broth:
To make bone broth, you really only need:
- bones– My favorite way to make bone broth is with leftover carcass from cooking a whole chicken. After I’ve cooked the chicken, everything goes in the slow cooker and gets turned into broth! You can use chicken, beef, turkey or pork bones. I recommend cooking the bones before using.
- water
Sometimes I like to throw in some carrots for extra flavor, but it’s totally not necessary.
Some people also like to add apple cider vinegar to the broth, but I never do and my broth is always delicious and rich!
Other helpful tools: crockpot, fine mesh strainer, souper cubes (for storing)
Making the bone broth is really as easy as just filling your pot with water, and turning it on!
Substitutions
Bones: You can use any bones.. chicken, beef, or turkey will all work. I like to use the scraps from our Slow Cooker Chicken or Turkey Breast in Crockpot. We also have a Turkey Broth, Homemade Beef Bone Broth and Homemade Chicken Broth recipe.
Vegetables: Carrots, celery, onion and garlic can add flavor to the broth but are not necessary. Some people like to add vegetable scraps to their broth but I find it gives it a bitter taste.
Seasonings: You can add salt, pepper, or whatever other herbs you’d like to the broth. I prefer to season after it’s cooked.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Some people add apple cider vinegar to their broth but this is not necessary.
Other additions: Some people like to add peppercorns, bay leaves, cloves of garlic or even lemon juice, but we never do.
How to make crockpot bone broth:
- Add all ingredients to a crockpot (bones, scraps, fat, etc).
- Cover with water and cook on low for at least 12 hours (16-18 is best). You may need to adjust the amount of water depending on the size of your crockpot. You can fill to the top of the crockpot!
- Allow broth to cool slightly.
- Run through a fine mesh strainer into a large pot or container.
Can you cook bone broth for too long?
Technically, yes. If you go past the 24 hour mark – your broth might wind up turning out bitter or getting a weird flavor. I normally cook my slow cooker bone broth for about 18-20 hours, and have never had an issue with it, but I wouldn’t cook it for any longer!
Do you need to roast the bones for bone broth?
It depends. If you have already cooked a whole chicken, turkey, etc. You don’t need to roast the bones.
However, if you’re using raw bones (specifically beef) you should roast them. I like to quickly boil raw beef bones and then roast them at about 400 degrees for 20 minutes to remove any impurities from the bones. You can roast them on a baking sheet or in a large baking dish.
It results in a clearer broth and more flavor. Check out our Beef Bone Broth recipe for more details
Can you reuse the bones in bone broth?
Yes, you can reuse the bones in bone broth. Whenever I’ve reused them, the broth has not been as gelatinous or flavorful as the first time using them!
I find that beef bones usually can be used for up to 3 batches, but unless you have a large chicken – usually after the second batch it’s not as flavorful.
My bone broth didn’t gel?
It’s ok if your bone broth doesn’t gel, and rest assured it will be just as nutritious! Certain bones/cuts of meat can create a more jello-like consistency with the broth.
You could also have added a little bit too much water. Either way, don’t worry – and enjoy it!
Can you freeze bone broth?
You can freeze bone broth, and you probably will have to because this makes a lot!
To freeze bone broth, let it cool completely.
I freeze my bone broth in these containers for freezing. They come in one or two cup cubes which is perfect!
Ice cube trays: I also like to freeze bone broth in ice cube trays. This is perfect for when you’re making a dish and only need a little bit, but don’t want to defrost a whole jar!
Freezing in glass: I don’t recommend freezing in glass ever. Liquid expands and it’s very easy for it to crack. If you are going to freeze in glass, fill the bottle leaving about 1-2 inches of room – do not fill to the top because the liquid will expand as it freezes. Put them in the fridge and allow them to completely cool for at least 5 hours, then transfer to the freezer with the caps OFF to prevent the glass from cracking. I strongly discourage it!
For all my freezing tips, check out my post on How To Freeze Soup.
Thawing: When thawing frozen bone broth I usually microwave it directly from frozen. You can also warm it on the stove top.
How long does bone broth last?
Bone broth will last 5-6 days in your refrigerator. I like to store it in a mason jar. If frozen, it can last up to a year – but I’d recommend using it within 6 months for freshness!
Can you make this bone broth in the instant pot?
Yes, you can! I prefer to cook my bone broth in the slow cooker, but you can cook this in your instant pot for 120 minutes on high pressure, and let it naturally release. You can see our instant pot bone broth recipe here.
Depending on the size of your instant pot, you may need more or less water. Make sure you DO NOT fill above the max fill line! Leave about an inch and half before the max fill line.
What is bone broth? Bone broth is the SAME thing as chicken stock or broth.
At it’s core, bone broth is really just broth that has been made from bones and cooked over low heat for many hours.
Ways to use Crockpot Bone Broth
You can use bone broth in so many different ways. Here are some of my favorites:
- As the base of our favorite Lemon Chicken Soup
- Pour it in a mug and drink it up! It’s packed with protein + veggies and so cozy.
- Add to sauces or stir fry’s for flavor
- Use in place of water or regular cooking stock
- Freeze it to have for a quick dinner or meal (or for when a cold comes on!)
We hope you love this as much as we do! We make this year round (basically anytime I cook a roasted chicken!) and it’s a staple in our kitchen/freezer. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how easy + delicious it is!
Recipes that use this Easy Crockpot Bone Broth
You can use bone broth in so many things. Here are some of our favorite recipes that use crockpot bone broth.
Easy Crockpot Bone Broth
Ingredients
- 1 lb bones from chicken or beef The more bones, the better. You can use the scraps from a whole roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken, or raw bones
- 12 cups water (approximately, fill to the top of your crockpot)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a crockpot (bones, scraps, fat, etc). Cover with water and cook on low for at least 12 hours (16-18 is best).
- You may need to adjust the amount of water depending on the size of your crockpot. You can fill to the top of the crockpot!
- Allow broth to cool slightly, and run through a fine mesh strainer into a large pot or container. (This will just be easier to do if it is not scalding hot).
- You can strain the broth a second time if you'd like in case any pieces slipped through.
- Store in airtight containers for up to 6 days, or put in the freezer until ready to use!
I make it this way ALL the time and it’s always perfect!
Thanks, Linda! So glad to hear you like it!
My first time making broth and so easy & so delicious! Thanksgiving night I put all my scrapes into the crock pot and the next day it was perfect.
So happy you liked it, Karla! Thank you !
Made the bone broth! So easy and so wonderful. Thank you! It is soooo expensive to purchase at the super market.
Yay!! So glad you liked it, Ann! It’s so much better when it’s homemade 🙂
This is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! I did as you recommended & pureed the celery, onions & carrots with a bit of the broth (that alone would be fantastic as a soup) & it really made it. I added a bit of homemade seasoned salt as well. I’ll be making this again & again!
Thank you so much, Karin! Glad you enjoyed it. The pureed veggies really add so much flavor!
I made the Whole Crockpot Chicken recipe last night and started the Crockpot Bone Broth as I was cleaning up dinner. I let it cook for 19 hours. My house smelled so good all night/day! After straining and adding the puréed vegetables back in I took a small spoonful to sample. The flavor of this broth is so rich! Seriously the easiest thing to make and essentially free! I will forever be making broth this way after cooking a chicken/Turkey!
So happy to hear this!! Glad you enjoyed it, Dianna!
This is the only way I make my bone broth. I started saving all my veggie scraps just for this recipe. I highly recommend you make her crockpot whole chicken recipe and then use the bones and bits to make this. You won’t regret it.
Isn’t it the best?! So happy you’ve been enjoying it, Berni!
Super easy! Excited to make more! I put the crock pot on before bed woke up to a great smell!
Thanks, Jay! So glad you enjoyed it! It’s perfect to cook low and slow overnight!
I haven’t tried pureeing vegetables with the broth yet, however, making this broth is one of the easiest recipes! i made some earlier this week–I’ve got plenty of broth for the cold nights coming, along with some frozen broth to help with adding some liquid to recipes later on.
You totally have to try it!! It really makes it so rich and flavorful L)
Love this recipe! I froze them in ice cubes and have used it several times since 😁 The flavor is stellar!
Freezing the broth in ice cubes is one of my favorite cooking hacks! Glad you like it!
My favorite
Thank you
!!
I was so incredibly impressed with this recipe! I did it after cooking the Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe and it was very easy (the straining was the hardest part, but not too bad). Definitely plan on recommending to my friends and family!
So glad you liked it, Elizabeth! The straining definitely is the worst part, lol!!
So easy and so good! We are making this again with scraps after making Liz’s delicious Crockpot Whole Chicken. We added carrots, celery, and onion last time and blended them into the strained broth as suggested, and the result was a flavorful base for a couple different soups we made (after dividing and freezing it). Total winner, so we’re doing it the same way again!
No vinegar? I thought it was necessary for the breakdown of the bones. Apparently that’s not the case?
Some people add apple cider vinegar to their broth to help coax the nutrients out of the bones. This is not necessary, but if you’d like to add it – feel free!
I always add 2 Tablespoons of ACV , it helps pull EXTRA nutrients out of bones
You answered every question I had about bone broth. Much appreciated!
So glad it was helpful! Let us know if you try it!
Are there enough bones in one rotisserie chicken (on average)? I don’t have a scale and trying to make a grocery list to try this but don’t want to over buy!
Yes! That is totally fine. Typically the bones from a whole chicken (of any size!) will work for bone broth 🙂
Just finished making this recipe and it is awesome! I used Himalayan pink salt and added two whole cloves of garlic to the mix. In the nutrition facts it says 4g of sugar per serving and 15g carbs…is that coming from the carrots? If so, have you ever made it without the carrots?
Hi Nancy – Yes that comes from the carrots/onions. If you just discard them rather than blending them in like I suggest, there will be little to no carbs in this. You don’t have to make the broth with any vegetables if you don’t want to – it’s just for flavor!
Finally used my chicken bones to make broth. Why have I not been doing this all along! It was so easy, I figured I must’ve done it wrong 🤣. Can’t wait to make soup this weekend with it. (And stop spending money on broth!)
LOL!! Your instagram DM’s made me laugh – it really is that easy!! Enjoy the soup 🙂
So delicious! I used two chickens for this (leftover after roasting). I also added a few cloves, I always add cloves to my broth- it’s so delicious! Going to refrigerate this for some dinners this week.
Thanks, Liz! I’m going to have to try the cloves!
Just made this with left overs turkey bones from thanksgiving! So easy and sooooo delicious! I added onion and frozen cauliflower.
So glad you liked this, Logan! The cauliflower addition sounds delicious!
This was the easiest and best recipe ever! I have always wanted to make it but was scared thinking it was too difficult!! This process was amazingly simple and delicious!!! 🙂
I’m so glad you liked it, Heather!
Delicious. Thoroughly enjoyed this recipe.
Thank you so much, Jude! Glad you liked it!
Love that you blend the veggies into the bone broth…so simple but I never would’ve thought of it! I made this after making your whole chicken slow cooker recipe…delish!!
That makes me so happy to hear!! The veggies would otherwise go to waste, so I like to use them up. They add so much flavor!
My first time making bone broth and it couldn’t have been easier. So delicious too!
So glad you liked it, Abby!
I read your bone broth recipe
You mentioned only using chicken bones
What other bones can be cooked with the chicken bones?
Plus
You mentioned to purée the vegetables after soup is cooked – is it absolutely necessary to purée the vegetables or can they be eaten NOT puréed?
Many thanks
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne – You could use any bones you like in this. Beef bones would also work. Per the recipe instructions, it’s optional to puree the vegetables. You could eat them not pureed, but they pretty much fall apart after being cooked for so long. Hope that helps!
If sharing the broth with your dog, leave out the garlic and onions: toxic to dogs.
Hi Linda – Yes definitely shouldn’t give garlic and onions to dogs.. although I probably wouldn’t recommend giving this to them even without. It is very rich and might hurt their stomachs if they’re not used to it!
First, I don’t put garlic or onions in your bone broth recipe because I like to share with my dogs. Dogs love bone marrow which is quite healthy. And keeps arthritis at bay. Please don’t deprive your dogs or cats from enjoying this healthy gelatin., I spoon some over their food and I also give them a tsp of unrefined virgin coconut
Oil every day. They eat it from the spoon.
Our dogs get plenty of treats, so this bone broth is just for us- but if you wanted to share it with your animals you can easily just omit onions/garlic!
If the bones are raw, do you have to put them in the oven first? If yes, for how long and at what temperature?
I usually do roast the bones. 450 for about 20-30 minutes in a glass baking dish
My dogs (bloodhounds) love bone broth. I make it out of deer neck bones. They have some meat still on them, extra bonus. They get a few tablespoons on their kibble. It is sold online for $20 for 12 0z. One of my dogs ate rocks and had intestinal and stomach surgery. She could only have small amounts of canned food at a time. I gave her warm bone broth and she did great. If you know a meat processor, they will give you deer or elk bones this time of year.
Actually garlic is ok for dogs. Great way to keep fleas away.
Garlic is absolutely not ok for dogs. It’s toxic to them. Garlic & onions contain thiosulfate, which is toxic to dogs.
Bone broth is awesome! Thanks for sharing. Pinned.. ?
Thanks, Baxter! I totally agree 🙂