An Easy Turkey Broth recipe made from the scraps of a turkey carcass and water! Make homemade turkey stock in the crockpot or instant pot ! Use the turkey stock to make soup or freeze it for later. This delicious turkey bone broth is so easy and cozy!
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If you’ve never made homemade broth – you’re in for a treat. This Easy Turkey Broth is EXTREMELY simple to make and results in a rich, tasty stock that is seriously delicious.
Chances are you’re here because you have a leftover turkey carcass and you want to make the most of it.
Don’t worry – if you’re new to making broth, I’m going to show you exactly how to do it. Making turkey stock is easy and so worth it!
This turkey stock is made from a leftover turkey carcass (bones, scraps, all of it!) and it is SO rich and flavorful.
You can make it in the slow cooker (my favorite way to do it!), instant pot or on the stove.
You might be thinking… if it’s just broth.. what is so great about it? I wrote this entire post about Bone Broth Benefits.
Many people drink bone broth because it’s so nutrient packed. When the bones are cooked low and slow they release their naturally occurring collagen + gelatin which is thought to be great for your gut health, skin + nails!
Turkey broth is a staple in many kitchens, especially around the holidays. But what exactly is turkey broth and how does it differ from stock? Here is your complete guide to everything you need to know about making and using turkey broth.
What is Turkey Broth?
Turkey broth is made by simmering turkey bones, meat, and vegetables in water to extract flavor and nutrients. The main difference between broth and stock is that broth is made with both bones and meat, while stock uses bones only.
Broth made from a roasted turkey will have a deeper, richer flavor compared to using the bones from an uncooked bird. The meat adds extra roasted flavor. Turkey broth can be used in place of chicken broth in any recipe.
Is There Pre-Made Turkey Broth?
Yes, pre-made and canned turkey broth is available at most grocery stores, usually in the soup aisle Popular brands include Swanson and Campbell’s However, homemade broth has a fresher taste and you control the sodium content.
According to Natasha’s Kitchen, pre-made broth lacks the gelatin from collagen-rich bones needed to thicken and add body to dishes like gravy or soup. Homemade turkey broth also costs just a fraction of the price of canned.
How To Make Turkey Broth from Scratch
Making turkey broth is simple Here are the basic steps
- Ingredients: Turkey bones, wing tips, neck, organ meats like heart and gizzard (optional), vegetables like onion, celery, and carrots, fresh herbs.
- Cooking method: Simmer bones and water for 1-4 hours to extract flavor and gelatin, adding vegetables and herbs later.
- Culinary uses: Soups, gravies, braising liquid, rice cooking liquid.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days, freeze up to 3 months.
The longer you simmer the broth, the more concentrated, rich flavor it will have. A general rule is 1-2 hours for a light broth and 3-4 for a hearty, robust broth
Turkey Broth Ingredients
- 1.5 – 2.5 lbs turkey bones
- 1 onion, halved
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, bay leaf
- 12 – 16 cups water
How to Make Turkey Broth Step-by-Step
- Place turkey bones, wings, and neck in a large pot. Add water, onions, carrots, celery, parsley and thyme.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer gently for 1-4 hours.
- Add any fresh herbs and continue simmering 30 mins – 2 hours until desired flavor.
- Strain the broth through a sieve into a large bowl or pot. Discard solids.
- Allow broth to cool. Refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, remove and discard the solidified fat.
- Portion broth into containers and refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Follow this simple process for homemade turkey broth bursting with flavor! Adjust cook times and ingredients to suit your taste.
How Long Does it Take to Make Turkey Broth?
- Stovetop: Minimum 1 hour, up to 4 hours for maximum flavor
- Slow cooker: 8-10 hours on low
- Pressure cooker: 45 mins – 1 hour high pressure
Simmering time depends on your desired intensity. Forricher broth, simmer 3-4 hours. Quick broth in just 1 hour. Use the minimum times for a milder broth.
What’s the Difference Between Turkey Broth and Stock?
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference:
- Turkey broth contains bones and meat. Cook time is 1-4 hours.
- Turkey stock uses bones only and cooks for 6-24 hours to extract more gelatin.
So broth has added flavor from the meat, while stock gels more when cooled due to high collagen content. Stock is traditionally used for cooking, and broth for drinking.
How To Use Turkey Broth in Recipes
Homemade turkey broth shines in the following recipes:
- Thanksgiving gravy – Adds rich flavor
- Stuffing or dressing – Use as cooking liquid
- Turkey noodle soup – Replaces chicken broth
- Risotto – For deeper flavor instead of plain water
- Sauces and braises – Deglaze pans and braise meats
- Rice, couscous, beans – Use as cooking liquid
Substitute turkey broth 1:1 in any recipe calling for chicken broth. It adds deeper roasted flavor compared to plain chicken broth.
Can You Freeze and Reheat Turkey Broth?
Yes, turkey broth freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Here are some tips:
- Let broth cool completely before freezing.
- Freeze broth in muffin tins or cubes for easy portioning.
- Once frozen, pop out broth cubes and store in freezer bags.
- Label bags with type and date. Turkey broth is good frozen for 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before use.
To reheat, simmer gently on the stove or microwave until hot. Avoid boiling to prevent separating or breaking down nutrients.
Freezing is perfect for preserving turkey broth to have flavorful homemade broth on hand anytime!
Can You Can Turkey Broth?
Turkey broth can be safely canned using a pressure canner. Follow proper canning procedures. Key steps include:
- Make sure jars and lids are sterilized.
- Only use broth that was made fresh, not from leftovers.
- Fill jars leaving 1 inch headspace. Release any air bubbles.
- Wipe rims clean before securing lids.
- Process pint or quart jars for 25 minutes at 10-15 PSI pressure.
- Check seals, then store in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.
Refer to a trusted canning source like the National Center for Home Food Preservation for detailed instructions. Canning allows storing homemade turkey broth for up to 1 year without freezing!
Common Questions about Turkey Broth
Can I use a raw turkey?
Yes, but roasted bones have more flavor. If using raw bones, roast them at 400°F for 20 minutes first.
What about smoky or fried turkey?
You can use them but the broth will pick up those flavors.
Do I need to skim the fat?
For aesthetics and texture you can remove it. But the fat itself is harmless and adds flavor.
Can I use turkey wings?
Absolutely! Wings contain lots of collagen for a rich, gelled broth.
Is gizzard and heart okay to add?
Yes, they provide extra flavor and nutrients. Avoid liver which makes bitter broth.
Can I use turkey neck?
The neck is loaded with flavor – ideal for broth!
What herbs work best?
Parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, bay leaves. Avoid strong spices that overpower.
Can I use veggie scraps?
For best flavor, use fresh onion/carrots/celery. Scraps add odd flavors.
How long does broth last?
Up to 4 days refrigerated, or freeze for 3 months. Use frozen broth within 1 year.
Is turkey broth gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you avoid adding noodles or other ingredients with gluten.
Conclusion
With this complete guide, you are ready to start making nutritious, delicious turkey broth for all your holiday and cooking needs. Simmer bones, meat, and veggies just 1-4 hours for instant flavor. Use your broth for soups, gravies, rice, and more. Freeze or can it so you always have homemade turkey broth ready to go. Happy simmering!
How to make Turkey Broth
You can make turkey broth in the crockpot , instant pot, or on the stove. I’m showing how to make it in the crockpot below.
- Add all turkey bones + scraps to the crockpot. (veggies are optional)
- Cover with water and cook for 10-18 hours.
- Once the broth cooks for about 16-18 hours (10 at minimum!) You’ll want to strain the broth with a fine mesh strainer to get the bones/any big pieces of veggies out.
- I prefer to strain it again. Using a nut milk bag or a cheese cloth, I will strain the broth again to remove any random fragments or pieces that may have escaped.
There really is no ‘wrong’ way to do it, and you can customize what you put in the crockpot for spices according to your taste.
If you really want to get all the nutrients you can out of the broth, I like to take any veggies I cooked the broth with (onions, carrots, celery, etc) and blend them up with the broth for added flavor, but veggies are not necessary for making broth.
How to store Turkey Broth
You can store turkey broth in a number of ways:
- Souper Cubes are my favorite way to store turkey broth! You can read this Souper Cubes Review for more details on them!
- Mason Jars
- Plastic Containers
- Silicone standing bags
I store my turkey broth in these Souper Cubes. They’re so easy to freeze!
