Crockpot Broth

2014.04.30

I promised last post that I would share my recipe for making broth in your crockpot, so here it is! 

Homemade broth is great – you can make it taste however you want, and it allows you to use your turkey carcass for something meaningful.

(P.S. We’re still eating our leftover turkey meat 9 days later –  I love it! I’ve used it in a stir-fry, in enchiladas, for sandwiches, with rice, and leftover with mashed potatoes. So versatile! )

Here’s my step-by-step guide to using your turkey (or chicken) bones to make a lovely homemade broth.

1. Put bones and giblets in the crockpot. I normally just pick the meat off the bones and leave everything else in there, including onions and any leftover bits of meat.

2. Add onions, water, and seasonings (and anything else you want in there). Some people add celery, garlic, or other veggies. I usually add the peels from my potatoes that I’ve made that day and some onions. My favourite seasonings are garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Sometimes salt and pepper. Fill up the crockpot with water, leaving about 2-3 inches from the top free just in case.Photo 2014-04-16, 10 34 08 PM

3. Set on low for 8-10 hours. I usually leave it on overnight and then do the rest of the steps in the morning.

4. After 8-10 hours, check on your broth. It should look something like this:

Photo 2014-04-17, 10 51 48 AM

5. Using a ladle and a strainer, ladle your broth into a bowl, separating the bones and other goodies from the liquid. 

Photo 2014-04-17, 10 53 49 AM

I use another bowl/container to collect all my meat scraps and then compost them.

Photo 2014-04-17, 11 11 57 AM

6. Ladle or pour your broth into jars or plastic containers. (I use a bowl with a pour spout – makes it so easy)

Photo 2014-04-17, 11 12 24 AM

7. Leave jars out to cool, then put in the fridge for a day. The fat will rise to the top, making it easy to separate from the other liquid. Photo 2014-04-20, 10 35 14 PM

8. Once you can clearly see the layer of fat at the top, use a spoon to scoop it off and throw away. (At this point, your broth may be a bit jelly-like in consistency. This is totally normal, and allows you to scoop the fat with more ease)

Photo 2014-04-20, 10 40 49 PM

9. Use (or freeze) and enjoy! I like to use to make sauces, soups, for cooking rice or for making pot pie broth. Really, the possibilities are endless!

Now it’s your turn! What do you use broth for? Leave a comment below! 

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