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!
This had turned to a gel -I scraped fat off the top – how do I get it to a broth consistency ? J Kyle
There’s no need to scrape the fat off the top. Gel is awesome! When you warm it, it will go back to a broth consistency.
Where does the sugar come from?
If you add carrots to it and blend it there will be some naturally occurring sugars but otherwise there is no sugar in this recipe
I haven’t made this yet. How much broth does the recipe make? It says it “serves 4 people” but that isn’t very helpful. Thank you.
It makes however much water you add to your crockpot. So if you have an 8 quart crockpot it will make about 8 quarts of broth. It’s really hard to determine a serving size because it depends on your pot and how much water you’re adding.
Hello. I found your recipe after I cooked my turkey bones on high in the crockpot for about 9 hours. After reading your recipe I adjusted the temp to low for an additional 6 more hours. Do you think my bone broth is going to be ok after cooking it on high initially? Thank you for your recipe I will use this in the future from start to finish. For years I cooked my bone broth in the stove top simmering for about 3-4 days with veggies I stored in freezer from my kitchen scraps. It was delicious!
It will be totally fine! Sometimes I start mine on high and then reduce it 🙂 Enjoy!
This sight has the most helpful information online to learn how to make bone broth in a crockpot. Plus all the reasons to make bone broth for good health.
Thank You
Mary
Hello! Thank you for sharing. Have you ever canned your broth? Thank you
No I have not – I don’t know anything about canning so I can’t offer any advice on this! You’d need to find a specific recipe on how to can it broth for food safety!
This was so easy to make! I used the leftovers from a rotisserie chicken to make it even easier. Great for sipping. Love the taste!
Do the puréed veggies change the consistency of the broth? Could you still sip on it like a liquid?
It makes it a little bit thicker
Can I use a turkey carved instead of chicken?
Yes you can, June. Any bones – chicken, turkey, beef – all work for this recipe. We also have a How to Make Turkey Broth (Stock) post
So easy, comes out amazing, and saves money!! I recently used this recipe to make bone broth after thanksgiving, but also use it regularly with rotisserie chickens! So good and perfect for having on hand for soups in the winter!!
So glad you like it, Hayley! Thank you so much!
Sounds like a good recipe. How much apple cider vinegar do you recommend?
Thank you.
I don’t ever add apple cider vinegar to my broth so unfortunately I can’t offer you a recommendation!
I bought a nut milk bag to drain my bone broth but do you have any tips on how to pour it through the bag into a jar without making a mess!! Do you use a funnel or just like crock pot to different bowl when you strain and then to jar:.
Hi Lauren – I first run my broth through a regular strainer. Then I set the nut milk bag in a bowl or a large measuring cup and use another measuring cup to pour it through. hope that helps!
This was so easy to make and so worth it! Cooked it for 18 hours as recommended and it is literally the best bone broth I have ever tasted! Highly recommend!
So glad you liked it, Priscilla! Thank you so much!
I plan to use chicken feet and gizzards along with the bones from roasted chicken.
should I roast the chicken feet and gizzards ??
I would roast them
I would roast them before you put them in the pot
Such a beautiful recipe and presentation. It’s definitely the type of food for everyday meal. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Thank you so much!
Creamy and amazing bone broth!! I added carrots, celery, onion, 6 cloves garlic, 1 bunch fresh parsley, about an inch of ginger (peeled), and a few dashes of pink salt, fresh black pepper and red pepper. Followed all of the recommended steps (low slow cooked for 17 hrs, strained, added back veggies, puréed veggies and stock, and then drained again through mesh bag) and the end result was nothing short of amazing! I have made the recipe multiple times now.
So glad you liked it, Aubrey! Thank you!
I have made chicken bone broth in a crockpot. I t is very easy to make. I use Chicken feet and Beef bones. Chicken feet has more collagen needed for my health. I add onions, garlic, carrots, celery and lots of herbs, such as Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Parsley . I think that sometimes I have overcooked it because I recently read that it should not be overcooked because the nutrients can be lost. Another tip was to cook it long to get all of the nutrients from the bones. I will cook it for only 12 hours on low to preserve the taste.
Glad you liked it!
Love love love this recipe. Never in a million years would I have guessed I would make my own bone broth. This is so simple and to know I am using clean bone broth for cheap excites me. I get excited to find recipes that call for broth so I can use it. Try it, you’ll be surprised at what you get
I’m so glad you gave it a try! It really is the best broth and you can’t beat the price 😉
This is simple and tasty! I use it for all sorts of soup and bean recipes! I highly recommend blending in the vegetables like she suggests. It makes the broth richer. I freeze in ice cubes like she suggests also so I can get as little or as much as I need at a time.
So happy you like it, Chrissi! Thank you!
Not sure why I’ve never made this before! Easy to just dump the bones and some veggies and add water. I got 9 cups of broth. I use it for soups and to make rice.
Yay! Isn’t it so simple!? We use the broth for the same things! It really does make the best rice!
Made this with a leftover half rotisserie chicken. My slow cooker cooks everything WAY too fast, so in about 4 hours,, I had a delicious golden broth that I drank for lunch on a very cold February day.
So simple yet so delicious! Will never throw away another rotisserie chicken carcass before using it for broth!
So glad you liked it, Heather! It really is the best way to use up leftover chicken!
This is the first time I’ve ever made my own broth and it was super easy and good. Now that I know how simple it is, I’ll do it every time!
Glad you enjoyed it, Robin! Thank you so much!!
I stirred my chicken bone broth…is that a problem?
No, it will be fine. Your broth might be a little more cloudy but it will taste/work just fine!
Hi I have a question a lot of recipes say you’re supposed to roast the bones in the oven first this recipe doesn’t tell you to do that would it still come out good?
Hi Melissa – 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. It results in a clearer broth and more flavor.
This is the best broth I’ve ever made and it’s SO very easy. I make it twice a month. It freezes so well, too!
Thanks, Jenna! So glad you like it!