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    Home » Soups

    How to Make Turkey Broth from Leftover Turkey

    Published: Sep 28, 2022 · Modified: Nov 21, 2022 by Kristin @ Dirt & Dough · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Two large mason jars with a yellow broth.
    Two large mason jars with a yellow broth.

    Rich and nutritious homemade turkey broth. Do not throw away your thanksgiving scraps! Turn that leftover turkey carcass and vegetable scraps into an irresistible broth that can be used in soups, stews, and other recipes.

    Two large mason jars with a homemade turkey broth.

    Turkey dinner, while a lot of work, is one of the best meals year after year. Slowly cooked turkey to perfection, creamy mashed potatoes with a rich gravy, and all the different desserts you can imagine. Two days of cooking gone in minutes.

    There is a way however, to extend the life of your thanksgiving foods beyond a few leftover turkey sandwiches. Turkey broth! This is a good use of that leftover turkey and once you make your own stock, all others won't measure up.

    Take that turkey carcass that has been picked clean, and any vegetable scraps and make a turkey stock you can freeze for later and make a leftover turkey soup, turkey stroganoff, turkey divan, plus many other meals throughout the rest of the winter.

    Homemade bone broth brings a unique, bold flavor that store bought just can't compare to. It can also be really good for you. Read more about the benefits of bone broth.

    Making homemade stock is super simple and can be done in a large pot on the stove or in a crock pot.

    Once you make this leftover turkey broth, you will never throw out a turkey again.

    Need a fun way to make a turkey? Learn how to smoke a turkey on a pellet grill.

    Jump to:
    • What is Turkey Broth Made of?
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Equipment
    • Recipe

    What is Turkey Broth Made of?

    Homemade turkey broth is full of so much flavor you will never want to buy some from the grocery store again. It is also not an exact science to make. All you need is the leftover carcass, some veggies to help give it flavor, and a little bit of salt and water.

    Again it's not an exact science so just add whatever you have on hand. This is a great recipe because it's so versatile.

    Ingredients:

    • Whole Turkey Carcass
    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Large Onion
    • Bay Leaf
    • Garlic
    • Apple Cider vinegar
    • Salt
    • Cold water

    *You can also use any vegetable scraps from preparing your thanksgiving dinner. I like to take a ziplock bag and store all my peelings and scraps and freeze them until I'm ready to make broth.

    Instructions

    First, prepare the turkey by removing any remaining large pieces of meat. Smaller pieces left behind are okay. It will only give it more flavor.

    Store any leftover turkey meat in an airtight container. Use the extra meat and this broth to make turkey noodle soup.

    Large Dutch Oven on the stove with a turkey carcass, veggies scraps and water.

    Take the leftover turkey carcass and place it in a large pot (or slow cooker).

    Add in all the vegetables, garlic, bay leaf and salt.

    Vegetable scraps can also be used. There is no right answer here. Use whatever you have on hand.

    A large Dutch Oven with leftover turkey, veggie scraps and water simmering on the stove.

    Fill the pot with enough water until it is about 2-3 inches from the top of the pot. You want to leave a little room to prevent it from boiling over.

    Add in apple cider vinegar.

    Bring the pot to a boil and reduce down to low. Gently simmer for 4-6 hours. The longer it simmers the deeper the flavor in the broth becomes.

    A label scooping broth into a fine mesh strainer.

    When done, place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the broth through the strainer, collecting all the broth in the bowl.

    A fine mesh strainer is important. A regular strainer will allow the little pieces of bone, that have broken off, to filter into your broth. Make sure it's a fine mesh strainer.

    A large white batter bowl with warm broth.

    I run it through the strainer twice just to make sure I got everything.

    Discard the leftover bones and veggies. Do not give the bones to any animals.

    Place the bowl of stock in the refrigerator and allow it to sit overnight. As the broth cools, the fat will become solid, and will rise to the top.

    A large white batter bowl with a homemade broth and the solid fat sitting on top.

    The next day, remove the cool broth from the refrigerator. The fat will have turned to a solid and will be floating on top.

    A slotted spoon scooping out fat that has become solid in a homemade broth.

    Using a slotted spoon, scoop out and discard all the fat.

    You now have a wonderful bone broth that can be used for turkey noodle soup or store it for later.

    A large white batter bowl with broth.

    Use turkey broth in place of chicken broth in your favorite recipes.

    Two recipes I like to make with my stock is a turkey noddle soup, turkey divan, or a turkey stroganoff.

    The amount of stock you end up with will depend on how large the dutch oven, pot, or crock pot is. I used an 8-quart dutch oven and ended up with about 12 cups of stock.

    Variations

    Crock Pot: Broth can be made right on the stovetop but also works really well in a slow cooker. Just place everything in and run on low for 8 hours.

    Vegetables: You can either use fresh produce to make this stock or scraps. I like to keep a ziplock bag in the freezer and add carrot peelings, celery tops, and ends of onions as I cook. Then when ready to make I just dump the veggies scraps in with the leftover turkey.

    Storage

    Turkey broth will last 5 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.

    How to freeze turkey broth: To freeze turkey both you can use mason jars, another freezer-safe container, or ice cube trays. If freezing in a mason jar, leave 1" of head space to allow for expansion. I have had jars shatter due to not having enough room. Mason jars are my favorite way to store it.

    Using ice cube trays is another great way to freeze turkey broth. Once frozen store the broth cubes in a freezer-safe bag.

    Equipment

    Fine-mesh sieve: To make broth a fine-mesh strainer must be used. If the holes are too large pieces of bone can make its way thought.

    Large Dutch Oven: I prefer to use a large Dutch Oven or stock pot over the stove.

    Crock Pot: Another great way to make broth.

    Leftover Turkey Recipes:

    • A plate with rice topped with a creamy cheese sauce, broccoli and leftover turkey.
      Turkey Divan made with leftover Turkey
    • A pile of egg noodles with a scoop of turkey stroganoff being placed on top.
      Leftover Turkey Stroganoff
    • A ladle scooping out soup from a Dutch Oven.
      Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

    Did you make this recipe? If you enjoyed it, please leave a 5-🌟rating and a comment in the recipe card below.

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    Recipe

    Two large mason jars with a homemade turkey broth and lids on top.

    Homemade Turkey Bone Broth

    Rich and nutritious homemade turkey broth. Do not throw away your thanksgiving scraps! Turn that leftover turkey carcass and vegetable scraps into an irresistible broth that can be used in soups, stews, and other recipes.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 6 hrs
    Total Time 6 hrs 5 mins
    Course Broth
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Cups

    Equipment

    FIne Mesh Strainer
    Large Dutch Oven 8-9 Quarts
    Slotted Spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Whole Turkey Carcass Meat Removed
    • 2-3 Carrots Chopped into large pices
    • 2-3 Celery stalks Chopped into large pieces
    • 1 Yellow Onion Diced in large pieces
    • 1 Bay Leaf
    • 2-3 Garlic Cloves Smashed and paper removed
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • Cold Water Enough to fill the pot and cover the turkey. See intructions.

    Instructions
     

    • First, prepare the turkey by removing any remaining large pieces of meat. Smaller pieces left behind are okay. It will only give it more flavor. 
    • Store any leftover turkey meat in an airtight container. Use the extra meat and this broth to make turkey noodle soup.
    • Take the leftover turkey carcass and place it in a large pot (or slow cooker).
    • Add in all the vegetables, garlic, bay leaf and salt. *See notes on using vegetable scraps.
    • Fill the pot with enough water until it is about 2-3 inches from the top of the pot. You want to leave a little room to prevent it from boiling over.
    • Add in apple cider vinegar. 
    • Bring the pot to a boil and reduce down to low. Gently simmer for 4-6 hours. The longer it simmers the deeper the flavor in the broth becomes.
    • When done, place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the broth through the strainer, collecting all the broth in the bowl. Must be a fine mesh stainer. See Notes
    • Discard the leftover bones and veggies. Do not give the bones to any animals.
    • Place the bowl of stock in the refrigerator and allow it to sit overnight. As the broth cools, the fat will become solid, and will rise to the top.
    • The next day, remove the cool broth from the refrigerator. The fat will have turned to a solid and will be floating on top. 
    • Using a slotted spoon, scoop out and discard all the fat. 
    • You now have a wonderful bone broth that can be used for turkey noodle soup or store it for later.

    Notes

    Notes Tips and Tricks
    Why a fine mesh strainer? A fine mesh strainer is important. A regular strainer will allow the little pieces of bone, that have broken off, to filter into your broth. Make sure it's a fine mesh strainer.
    Run the broth through the strainer a second time, just to make sure all the scraps are caught.
    Vegetable Scraps: You can also use any vegetable scraps from preparing your thanksgiving dinner. I like to take a ziplock bag and store all my peelings and scraps and freeze them until I'm ready to make broth.
    Storage
    Turkey broth will last 5 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
    How to freeze turkey broth: To freeze turkey both you can use mason jars, another freezer-safe container, or ice cube trays. If freezing in a mason jar, leave 1" of head space to allow for expansion.
    Using ice cube trays is another great way to freeze turkey broth. Once frozen store the broth cubes in a freezer-safe bag.
    Keyword bone broth, broth, homemade broth, stock, turkey broth, turkey stock
    Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa P

      January 14, 2023 at 11:15 am

      Hello! How much apple cider vinegar, please? I don't see it in the recipe list. 🙂

      Thank you!
      Lisa

      Reply
      • Kristin @ Dirt & Dough

        January 14, 2023 at 2:15 pm

        Hi Lisa! I just use about 2-3 tablespoons.

        Reply
    2. DeAnna

      November 30, 2022 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      This was my first time making my own broth! So delicious 😋 I hope never have to use store bought again!

      Reply
      • Kristin @ Dirt & Dough

        December 01, 2022 at 7:20 am

        Hi DeAnna! I'm so glad you enjoyed how it turned out. So much better than store bought!

        Reply

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