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!
So easy!
I tried this for the first time using a rotisserie chicken carcass, I was always lazy and left a little bit of the meat on it. It turned out SO good!! It smelled amazing while cooking and I used it to make other soups throughout the next couple of days. I had to use a smallish crockpot because I was using my other one at the time, it still made two 32 ounce jars of jiggly bone broth! I also was only able to cook it for about 6 hours but it still turned out so good!! I’ll be doing this on repeat with every rotisserie chicken I get! Definitely try it!
I have made bone broth for many years but on the stove top, which can definitely be a labor of love.
I’m surprised this isn’t more well known but you should be adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to the pot you’re making your bone broth in, you will not taste it in the end. ACV will help extract the nutrients from the bones and release, collagen and other minerals.
I’m having to have my freezer repaired and I don’t wanna tend to something on the stove top so giving this recipe a try. Also remember to save your vegetable scraps and put them in the freezer until you’re ready to make bone broth.
You can add apple cider vinegar to the broth, but there is no need to. I typically don’t use the vegetable scraps because if they’re cooked for too long they can add a bitter taste!
Thank you!
I had rotisserie chickens this weekend and used the scraps to make some beautiful bone broth. This will be used to make either Lemon chicken soup ( which I have made before and is delicious) or I have been wanting to try the Chicken Pot Pie soup. Bone broth helps stretch one meal into two and it is amazing for you ! Thank you for all your amazing recipes !
The first time I made the bone broth was from the crockpot chicken. I froze the herb seasoned broth as the base for my thanksgiving gravy. It was absolutely delicious and aromatic. Wonderful recipe.
Disclaimer I have not tasted it yet but it’s not because of this recipe if it turns out bad by any means because I added a bunch of seasonings and carrots and rosemary and different herbs and such. This has to be one of the best recipes I’ve ever tried. I cooked mine for about 20 hours in my crock pot and after it’s cooled down for a few hours I went ahead and transferred it to a stainless steel bowl and wrapped it with Saran wrap and then left it in the fridge overnight for a little too long actually and today I skimmed the fat off because I don’t like that part and behold the most precious bone broth gelatin. I’m so excited to use this in recipes after I get back from my trip.
So glad you liked it!
This was my first time making bone broth and it was absolutely delicious!! The recipe was easy to follow and now I’ll be making it all through fall and winter.
So glad it came out great! Thank you!
I am making this in my crockpot now! It’s just been a long time since I’ve done chicken bone broth, so doing similar to what i do for beef bone broth (i get the very nice grass fed bones from local butcher). I too used a carcass of a rotisserie chicken, carrots/celery a cube of the frozen ginger and garlic from Trader Joes, some parsley sprigs, a bay leaf a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and filtered water to cover. i plan to slow cook it about 16-18 hours. I know it will be great!
Bone broth is cooked far longer than stock. They shouldn’t be considered equal.
Hi! Can’t wait to try this! I have been looking for a super easy but flavorful broth recipe and this looks perfect. I’m confused about the water – ingredients say 8 cups water; however, directions mention filtered water??
We always use filtered water from our fridge. Just put the bones in the crockpot and fill it to the top with water- it doesn’t have to be exactly 8 cups. Different crockpots hold different a mounts of liquid!
How am I to be sure marrow is out of the bones ?
Just made my first crock pot bone broth following this recipe to a tee. After 18 hours and the cooling off period, I broke open a few bones & looks like they are still full of marrow. Is this how they are supposed to be?
Love your recipes by the way 💕
Janie
I don’t break open the bones after cooking. I just cook for 18-20 hours and strain! There’s really no way to know if you’ve gotten the marrow out!
This was incredibly simple to make. I used a smaller crock pot (maybe 3qt,) a store bought rotisserie chicken after we had ate the meat, I didnt puree vegetables because I had already cut them smaller and didn’t feel like sifting through everything (next time I’ll use larger pieces). It yielded 7.5 cups of broth but it tastes very watered down, is it suppose to?
No, it shouldn’t taste watered down. Was it a small rotisserie chicken? The smaller the chicken/more water the less flavor it will have but it’s still fine to use when cooking!
Now that I know how easy it is to make, I’ll definitely make it more often. Nice way to get extra vegetables in there too!
Hi!
I used veggie scraps that I’ve been freezing, would you recommend to purée the scraps??
Thanks!
You don’t have to, but we like to add the nutrients!
Thanks for posting how to do this in a slow cooker – I always wondered how long to leave the bones in a slow cooker. I LOVE bone broth!
Thank you for posting.
Super simple recipe and delicious! When storing in the freezer do you recommend storing it in a freezer bag or in a glass jar with a lid? I have them stored in the refrigerator in some old glass jars right now but unsure about the freezer! Thanks
Definitely would not recommend storing in a glass container! There’s a whole section in the post about how to freeze these 🙂 please check it out!
So I made it using my instant pot, which was my first time ever using it. I didn’t add any salt and when it was done I didn’t think I liked it. I added salt and refrigerated it. I heated a bit to taste today and wow, it was so good. I’ve made broth many times but this was so simple. And I cooked it in the garage so the whole house didn’t smell like food.
Thank you for a delicious recipe.
I don’t have a lot of money but this is very affordable so l will try it. Very nutritious. I’m always looking for things that are nutritious and don’t break the bank. I will comment and let everyone no how it turns out. God bless!