Making your own homemade beef broth is incredibly rewarding, and surprisingly easy to do By simmering beef in water with vegetables, herbs and spices, you can create a savory, fragrant broth with tons of uses.
The best part is, you don’t even need bones! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a light yet flavorful beef broth using boneless beef chuck, rump roast or shank. This hands-off method results in a versatile broth and tender cooked beef ready to add to soups, stews and more.
Why Make Your Own Beef Broth?
There are so many benefits to making broth yourself rather than using store-bought
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Customize the flavors – Tailor the broth to your taste preferences by experimenting with different herbs, spices, vegetables, etc.
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Control sodium levels – Avoid the excess sodium found in many commercial broths by seasoning it yourself.
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Save money – Homemade broth is inexpensive to make.
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Use better ingredients – You can use higher quality beef and real food ingredients.
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Cook once, use multiple times – Make a big batch and freeze portions to have broth ready when you need it.
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Improve your cooking – Homemade broth adds next-level flavor to soups, stews, gravies, rice dishes and more.
Once you realize how easy it is to whip up a batch of homemade broth, you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff again!
Beef Broth vs Beef Stock
Beef stock and beef broth are very similar, but there are some differences:
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Bones – Stock uses bones while broth does not. Bones impart more body, collagen and minerals.
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Cooking time – Stock simmers much longer to extract nutrients from bones. Broth doesn’t need as long.
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Flavor – Broth has a more delicate flavor compared to rich, intense stock.
Since we’re using boneless beef, we’re making broth. But the process is virtually identical if you want to make beef stock with bones instead.
Choosing the Best Cut of Beef
The most important ingredient for beef broth is the beef! Choosing the right cut is key.
Opt for tough, collagen-rich cuts. As they simmer, the collagen will breakdown into gelatin which adds body and richness to the broth.
Some excellent choices include:
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Chuck roast – Well-marbled and full of connective tissue. My favorite cut for broth.
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Rump roast – Leaning yet flavorful with lots of collagen. An economical choice.
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Short ribs – Loaded with collagen and fat for intense, beefy flavor.
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Beef shank – Lots of cartilage makes this an ideal cut for broth.
I like to use grass-fed beef whenever possible for superior nutrition and flavor. Look for well-marbled, lean cuts around 1 to 2 pounds.
Broth Ingredients
Beyond the beef, all you need are some basic aromatics, herbs and spices.
Aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots and celery provide a balanced background flavor.
Herbs and spices infuse the broth with savory notes. Bay leaves, peppercorns and allspice berries are great options.
Water makes up the base. Use cold filtered water for the best results.
That’s it! A simple handful of ingredients is all you need for delicious homemade beef broth.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Now let’s get to the easy method for making beef broth without bones.
1. Sear the Beef
First, pat the beef dry and cut into 1-inch cubes if needed. Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.
Once hot, add the beef in a single layer. Let the beef cubes sear undisturbed until well browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes.
Flip and repeat on all sides until the beef is nicely browned all over. This caramelization adds tons of meaty flavor!
2. Add Aromatics
Next, add the onions, carrots, celery and any herbs or spices to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients then bring to a boil.
3. Simmer the Broth
Once boiling, reduce heat and let simmer gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Skim off and discard any foam that rises to the top.
Simmer until the beef is fall-apart tender. The long cook time extracts flavor from the beef and vegetables.
4. Strain and Season
Turn off the heat once done. Use a mesh strainer to separate the beef and solids from the broth.
For a clearer broth, line the strainer with cheesecloth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
That’s all there is to it! Now you have homemade beef broth ready for anything.
Cooking the Beef Even More
Don’t throw that cooked beef away! The broth-infused beef is incredibly tender and full of flavor.
Chop or shred the beef to add to soups, tacos, pasta, rice bowls and more. Cook it down with barbecue sauce for pulled beef sandwiches. Get creative with this bonus ingredient!
Tips for the Best Broth
Follow these tips to end up with the most flavorful, aromatic homemade beef broth:
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Sear the beef well – Take the time to brown the beef properly in batches. This builds incredible flavor.
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Simmer, don’t boil – Gentle simmering extracts the most flavor and body. Avoid boiling which can make the broth cloudy.
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Skim the scum – Impurities will rise to the surface as foam. Skim for a cleaner broth.
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Use chicken broth – For the best flavor, replace some of the water with chicken broth.
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Add acid – A splash of vinegar brightens flavor. Apple cider or red wine vinegar work well.
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Season at the end – Wait to add salt and pepper until after straining so you can properly taste and season the broth.
Storing Your Homemade Broth
Properly stored, homemade beef broth will keep for 4 to 5 days refrigerated or 6 months frozen.
To freeze: Portion broth into freezer bags or containers leaving headspace. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.
To refrigerate: Let cool completely then refrigerate. If fat solidifies on the surface, skim it off before using.
Uses for Beef Broth
Homemade beef broth is endlessly versatile. Here are just some of the ways you can use your broth:
- Braise vegetables like onions or cabbage
- Cook grains like rice, farro, barley or quinoa
- Braise tough cuts of meat like chuck roast or brisket
- Make soups like beef stew, minestrone, tomato soup or chili
- Use as a base for sauces and gravy
- Cook beans, lentils and other legumes
- Make pan sauces for steak, chicken or fish
- Simmer vegetables like green beans, cauliflower or broccoli
- Cook pasta, risotto or polenta
- Make risottos and pilafs
As you can see, the possibilities are endless! Homemade broth adds so much flavor.
FAQs
Still have some questions? Here are answers to some common queries:
What if I don’t have time to make broth? Use store-bought or substitute with chicken or vegetable broth. Bouillon cubes or granules also work in a pinch.
Can I use a slow cooker? Yes, just sear the beef first