Turkey bone broth is simple to make at home and will add so much depth of flavor to your homemade soups. 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.
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!
Making bone broth is a great use for leftover turkey and once you make your own stock, all others won't measure up.
Once you have your broth it can then be frozen for later or made into a leftover turkey soup, turkey stroganoff, turkey divan, or 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.
Need a fun way to make a turkey? Learn how to smoke a turkey on a pellet grill.
🦃Ingredients
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.
Whole Turkey Carcass: Use your leftover turkey carcass. Bones, meat, and all!
Veggies: Can use whole veggies or scraps. Some great things to include are carrots, celery, onions, and garlic.
💡Pro Tip: 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.
See full information on ingredients and quantities in the recipe card.
🥘How To Make
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: Store any leftover turkey meat in an airtight container. Use the extra meat and this broth to make turkey noodle soup.
Step 3: Take the leftover turkey carcass and place it in a large pot, or Dutch oven. A slow cooker can even be used.
Step 4: 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. (Image 1).
Step 5: 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. (Image 2).
Step 6: 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.
Step 7: When done, place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the broth through the strainer, collecting all the broth in the bowl. (Image 3).
💡 Important Note: 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. I run it through the strainer twice just to make sure I got everything.
Step 8: 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. (Image 4).
Step 9: The next day, remove the cool broth from the refrigerator. The fat will have turned to a solid and will be floating on top. (Image 5).
Step 10: Using a slotted spoon, scoop out and discard all the fat. (Image 6).
Step 11: You now have a wonderful bone broth that can be used for turkey noodle soup or freeze it for later. (Image 7).
Use turkey broth in place of chicken broth in your favorite recipes.
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.
❓Recipe FAQ
To freeze turkey broth 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.
Homemade turkey bone broth will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
🍽Leftover Turkey Recipes:
📋Recipe
Turkey Bone Broth
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.
- 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.
how much vinegar do you use?
About a tablespoon if it’s on the smaller side and up to 2 tablespoons if it’s a really large turkey. Add a little and taste before adding more.
Hello! How much apple cider vinegar, please? I don't see it in the recipe list. 🙂
Thank you!
Lisa
Hi Lisa! I just use about 2-3 tablespoons.
This was my first time making my own broth! So delicious 😋 I hope never have to use store bought again!
Hi DeAnna! I'm so glad you enjoyed how it turned out. So much better than store bought!