How to Make Bone Broth in a Crockpot

Bone Broth

Bone broth has some seriously ahhhhmazing qualities. If you aren’t drinking it, you need to be. No, seriously. Especially this time of year. Bone broth is a great immune system booster, while also helping with allergies and asthma. For some reason, bone broths are making a comeback, although they’ve been around for generations (ask your grandma, I bet she made it). Not to mention, it’s super easy to make bone broth in the crockpot.

As for other benefits, bone broths:

• are rich in collagen, gelatin, and glucosamine
• are high in protein
• aid in digestion and help heal leaky gut
• are an excellent source of amino acids
• taste amazing
• are a great post-workout drink
• act as a natural detox
• are anti-inflammatory
• provide tons of minerals
• cure cancer…not really…but maybe

How to make bone broth

Bone broth can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. Personally, I prefer simple 😉 I ain’t got time for complicated. For that reason, I opt for the crockpot. First, find yourself some quality beef or chicken bones. We eat a lot of chicken which I get sick of, so for bone broth I typically get beef marrow bones. You can ask your local butcher, farmer, or head over to Whole Foods. The biggest thing is to make sure that they are QUALITY bones. For beef, they should come from grass-fed, pasture raised cattle (more on that another time). Traditionally, the bones should be roasted in the oven for 25-30 minutes to enrich the flavor, but again…I’m taking the quick route, so I don’t do this. I still think the flavor is wonderful. Here’s where it gets super simple: throw the bones in the crockpot, add 2 TBS of raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (DON’T skip this step! It helps draw out the minerals), and then I like to throw in some carrots and onion for additional flavor. You can add garlic and other goodies if you like. 

Cook on low for 10+ hours…the longer the better. I usually do about 24 hours. Some people cook theirs as long as 48 hrs, but I get impatient and I usually find the hubby sneaking cups at around the 10-hour mark. 😉

Once it’s cooked, you can drink it straight or use it as a broth to cook with. I add a little salt, pepper, and turmeric and drink it like a tea. I’d love to hear from others if you’ve got a favorite recipe!

Bone Broth Recipe

• Quality beef, chicken or any animal carcasses
• Filtered water
• 2 TBS raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (I like Braggs)
• Chopped vegetables of choice (onions, carrots, etc.)

Place bones in crockpot. Add 2 TBS of apple cider vinegar, any vegetables for flavoring, and fill with filtered water. Simmer on low for at least 8hrs. Strain, and enjoy!