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How To Make Homemade Beef Bone Broth


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This Homemade Beef Bone Broth comes with directions on how to make it on both the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. Bone broth is rich with essential nutrients and has many health benefits. Check some of them out below and start making your own bone broth at home. So many ways you can easily incorporate it into your daily diet and ingest all those lovely nutrients.

Homemade Beef Bone Broth (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)

Homemade Beef Bone Broth (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker) 

One of the biggest staples in my kitchen is my Homemade Beef Bone Broth. I always make sure I’m stocked-up on it and it’s a constant part of my freezer stash. It comes in handy to use in a wide variety of recipes. Bone broth is also very beneficial to our health. Especially our gut health. So it’s a must to have on hand.

Making Homemade Beef Bone Broth can sound a bit intimidating. However, it is really simple to make. It does take a few steps and it’s a whole day process. However, for the most part you just have to put all the ingredients together and let the broth do it’s thing. 

In this recipe I have included directions on how to make it in both the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. This makes the process much simpler and both ways make large batches. This way you will have enough to keep in your fridge and start a freezer stash. 

Ingredients needed to make Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

  • Beef Bones- They can be any type of bones such as oxtail, short ribs, or knuckle bones. You will want bones to be grass-fed, organic, high-quality beef bones. 
  • Carrots and Celery– Will give the broth flavor and add more nutritional value.
  • Yellow Onion and Garlic- Aromatics to add flavor to the broth.
  • Pink Sea Salt and Black Pepper– Keeping the seasonings to a minimum with just salt and pepper. That’s all you need.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar– Will help get that meat off of the bones to get the most off of it. The acid from the vinegar will also elevate to flavor of the broth.
  • Filtered Water– You don’t want to use tap water for your broth. Good quality water is a must.

Equipment needed to make Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

  • Instant Pot or Crockpot– Which ever one you have or prefer to use. The Insane pot will take less time to make one batch. With the crockpot you can dump everything and forget about it until it’s done.
  • Strainer– You will need to strain the ingredients when it’s done to separate the broth from everything else.
  • Two large mixing bowls- To strain the broth into them.
  • Ladle and Funnel- To easily serve your broth into jars.
  • Mason Jars– Wide mouth 32 oz mason jars are the best to store your bone broth in.

How to make Homemade Beef Bone Broth (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker):

Prepping beef bones and rest of ingredients:

  1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Place all beef bones on prepped sheet pan and place in the oven. Roast beef bones for one hour. 
  2. Rough chop carrots, celery, garlic and onion. (There’s no need to peel any of the veggies as you will be draining and discarding them). Place roasted bones in Instant Pot or Slow Cooker along with chopped veggies, pink sea salt, black pepper and apple cider vinegar. Pour in enough water to cover all ingredients. About 8-10 cups of water. 

Making Beef Bone Broth in the Instant Pot:

  1. Place lid and lock it. Place steam valve on sealing position. Set IP on manual option and set timer for 4 hours. 
  2. Allow NRP for 30-40 minutes. Then manually release the rest of the pressure. (Follow the rest of the steps until the end. You can use the bones another 3-4 times until they have softened. Discard veggies and add fresh ingredients along with bones and repeat the previous steps for Instant Pot.)

Making Beef Bone Broth in the Crockpot:

  1. Set slow cooker on low and allow bones and veggies to slow cook for 36 hours. 

After Broth has simmered:

  1. Place a strainer on top of a large mixing bowl. Using a ladle, pour all ingredients into strainer to drain as much broth as possible. Work in batches if you need to. 
  2. Pour strained broth into mason jars. If freezing remember to only fill up to freezer line. Allow beef bone broth to completely cool-off. Tightly seal mason jars and place them in fridge if regrigerated or freezer if freezing. Keep broth refrigerated for up to 7 days or frozen for up to 3-6 months.
Homemade Beef Bone Broth (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)

Tips for making Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

  1. Use any kind of beef bones- They can be any type of bones such as oxtail, short ribs, or knuckle bones. You will want bones to be grass-fed, organic, high-quality beef bones. 
  2. Ask local butcher for bones- Butchers from your local market or meat market often save leftover bones. Just ask them if they have any and they will typically wrap them up for you and sell them. Whole Foods usually keeps some already packed and frozen in a freezer near the meat area.
  3. Don’t skip roasting your bones first- This will loosen some of the meat the bones still have on them. It will also release juices for more added flavor to your broth.
  4. Don’t worry about peeling any of the veggies- It’s not necessary as they will be drained and discarded. You just want the flavor!
  5. Save any scraps of veggies or fresh herbs after you use them- Freeze them and add them to your broth for extra favor! 
  6. Don’t skip the apple cider vinegar- Aside from adding flavor, it also helps get the good stuff off of the bones while it’s simmering. Don’t worry, the broth won’t taste vinegary at all!
  7. Add more spices and herbs for more flavor- You can add other fresh herbs and spices like parsley, cilantro, oregano, peppercorns, ginger or turmeric.
  8. If freezing broth, remember to only fill up mason jars up to freezer line with broth- Liquid expands as it freezes. If you fill up the jars all the way to the top, the liquid won’t have any room to expand and cause the glass to shatter in the freezer. Ruining your broth and possibly other foods in your freezer. If you look on the side of your mason jars, you will see some lines. These are called freezer lines. They are there to guide up to where they should be filled with liquid before freezing.

How to use your Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

You can use Beef Bone Broth in many creative ways. Use it to make rice, beans or lentils, soups, etc. You can also just warm some up and drink a cup in the morning or afternoon. It helps tremendously with your gut health. If you’re ever experiencing an upset stomach try to drink a cup of warm Homemade Beef Bone Broth. It will help you feel so much better! 

Whenever I drink my Homemade Beef Bone Broth I highly simmer it on the stovetop. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and about 1/2 tsp turmeric. These help with adding some flavor to the broth while adding more anti-inflamatory properties.

Homemade Beef Bone Broth FAQ’s:

What are the health benefits of Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

  • Heals leaky gut
  • Liver detox
  • Aids digestion
  • Joint pain relief
  • Promotes strong bones 
  • Anti-inflammatory 
  • Rich in collagen for skin health 
  • Healthy hair and nails
  • Helps boost immune system 

What are the best bones to make bone broth?

You can use any type of bone to make beef bone broth. Our go-to’s are oxtail, short ribs, or knuckle bones that still have some meat on them. This will add more flavor, nutrients, and protein to your beef bone broth. Grass-fed, organic, high-quality beef bones are preferred for a good quality beef bone broth.

Do you have to cook bones before making bone broth?

You don’t have to coon your bones before making the beef bone broth. However, roasting your bones ahead of time will make them soften and get them caramelized . This will make for a better and tastier broth as the bone will release more nutrients and juices making it more flavorful. Roasting the bones before making the broth also blanches them. Which means it gets rid of any impurities, which then makes for a nice and clear bone broth.

Can I drink bone broth everyday?

It is perfectly fine to drink beef bone broth everyday. Bone broth is known to be rich in protein and collagen. So it’s great for digestion, bone health, inflammation, detoxing and more. The recommended daily amount of bone broth is 2-4 cups.

What does drinking bone broth do to your body?

Bone broth is high in protein, aid digestion, has anti-inflammatory properties, helps boost immune system, and more.

How to Store Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

The best way to store your Homemade Beef Bone Broth is in mason jars. They are made of glass and their lids seal tightly. This will help your broth remain fresh longer. Store in your fridge for up to 7 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3-6 months. 

How to freeze Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

Freezing your Homemade Beef Bone Broth in mason jars is possible. Most mason jars have a freezer line on the side. This line indicates up to where you can fill liquid up to and freeze. This gives the liquid enough space to expand preventing the mason jars from cracking. 

The size of the jars doesn’t really matter. It all depends on how much you want to store in the fridge and how much you want to freeze. My suggestion is to freeze in portions that you know you will use within 24 hours after thawing. About 1-2 cups per mason jar is a good rule of thumb.

Recipes to use Homemade Beef Bone Broth in:

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5 from 6 votes
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Homemade Beef Bone Broth (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)

This Homemade Beef Bone Broth comes with directions on how to make it on both the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. Bone broth is rich with essential nutrients and has many health benefits. Check some of them out below and start making your own bone broth at home. So many ways you can easily incorporate it into your daily diet and ingest all those lovely nutrients. 

Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword Homemade Beef Bone Broth, Instant Pot Beef Bone Broth, Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 2 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 23 kcal
Author Angelica Arias

Ingredients

  • 5-6 lbs beef bones
  • 4 large carrots
  • 3-4 celery stalks
  • 6 cloves of garlic
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 1 tsp pink sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • enough filtered water to cover all ingredients inside the pot

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Place all beef bones on prepped sheet pan and place in the oven. Roast beef bones for one hour. 

  2. Rough chop carrots, celery, garlic and onion. (There's no need to peel any of the veggies as you will be draining and discarding them). Place roasted bones in Instant Pot or Slow Cooker along with chopped veggies, pink sea salt, black pepper and apple cider vinegar. Pour in enough water to cover all ingredients. About 8-10 cups of water.

If using Instant Pot:

  1. Place lid and lock it. Place steam valve on sealing position. Set IP on manual option and set timer for 4 hours. 

  2. Allow NRP for 30-40 minutes. Then manually release the rest of the pressure. (Follow the rest of the steps until the end. You can use the bones another 3-4 times until they have softened. Discard veggies and add fresh ingredients along with bones and repeat the previous steps for Instant Pot.)

If using Slow Cooker:

  1. Set slow cooker on low and allow bones and veggies to slow cook for 36 hours. 

After Broth has simmered:

  1. Place a strainer on top of a large mixing bowl. Using a ladle, pour all ingredients into strainer to drain as much broth as possible. Work in batches if you need to.

  2. Pour strained broth into mason jars. If freezing remember to only fill up to freezer line. Allow beef bone broth to completely cool-off. Tightly seal mason jars and place them in fridge if regrigerated or freezer if freezing. Keep broth refrigerated for up to 7 days or frozen for up to 3-6 months.

Recipe Notes

Tips for making Homemade Beef Bone Broth:

  1. Use any kind of beef bones- They can be any type of bones such as oxtail, short ribs, or knuckle bones. You will want bones to be grass-fed, organic, high-quality beef bones. 
  2. Ask local butcher for bones- Butchers from your local market or meat market often save leftover bones. Just ask them if they have any and they will typically wrap them up for you and sell them. Whole Foods usually keeps some already packed and frozen in a freezer near the meat area.
  3. Don’t skip roasting your bones first- This will loosen some of the meat the bones still have on them. It will also release juices for more added flavor to your broth.
  4. Don’t worry about peeling any of the veggies- It’s not necessary as they will be drained and discarded. You just want the flavor!
  5. Save any scraps of veggies or fresh herbs after you use them- Freeze them and add them to your broth for extra favor! 
  6. Don’t skip the apple cider vinegar- Aside from adding flavor, it also helps get the good stuff off of the bones while it’s simmering. Don’t worry, the broth won’t taste vinegary at all!
  7. Add more spices and herbs for more flavor- You can add other fresh herbs and spices like parsley, cilantro, oregano, peppercorns, ginger or turmeric.
  8. If freezing broth, remember to only fill up mason jars up to freezer line with broth- Liquid expands as it freezes. If you fill up the jars all the way to the top, the liquid won’t have any room to expand and cause the glass to shatter in the freezer. Ruining your broth and possibly other foods in your freezer. If you look on the side of your mason jars, you will see some lines. These are called freezer lines. They are there to guide up to where they should be filled with liquid before freezing.

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Beef Bone Broth (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)
Amount per Serving
Calories
23
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.02
g
0
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.04
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.01
g
Sodium
 
314
mg
14
%
Potassium
 
135
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
5
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
5103
IU
102
%
Vitamin C
 
4
mg
5
%
Calcium
 
19
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.

**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used. 

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**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family. 

***Post originally published on February 02, 2019.



38 Comments

  1. I am saving this, book marking it and totally going to try it ASAP! Thanks

    1. Let me know how it turns out Amber!

  2. Looks thick and delicious but not really into this kind of stuffs.The jar packaging though adds to points to its which makes it more interesting.

  3. Joanna

    5 stars
    This recipe is such a great home made alternative to the beef stock we usually buy in the stores. It does take a bit of time to make, but it surely is so much healthier and fresher.

    1. Thank you Joanna! It’s so much more flavorful than store bought too!

  4. 5 stars
    I had no idea beef bone broth had so many benefits. I think it was great idea to include the benefits. It makes me now want to try this recipe.

    1. Thank you so much! I wanted everyone who read this to see how beneficial this broth is!

  5. Catherine Santiago Jose

    5 stars
    I love making broth bone and I always have that in my every meal, even my kids also like it. I will definitely make this beef bone broth recipe at home for my family. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Glad the kids like it too! It’s a staple in my home as well!

  6. Wow I never thought to make my own broth. We are a family of hunters, do you think venison bone could be used instead of beef?

    1. Yes that can definitely work too! I’m not sure about the benefits of venison bones if they’re the same as beef but the recipe should work too. Let me know if you try it! I would be interested to know how it turns out.

  7. Rosey

    My mom used to save and use the bones. My grandma did too. I may have done it years ago, but it’s been way too long!

    1. It definitely does take some time but using these pots they do all the work for you. You just have to wait for it to be done.

  8. Christa

    I’ve heard about so many amazing benefits of bone broth! Having a homemade option would be fantastic.

    1. Yes there’s nothing like homemade quality!

  9. Alexandra Cook

    I love this homemade beef broth so much! Every single ingredient sounds amazing, I’ll definitely be adding this to my list of things to try!

  10. Rebecca Sanchez

    Wow, I have never tried this homemade beef broth looks really easy. I will try to make this.

  11. Preet

    Oh wow, this one is a winner. Instead of buying why not making your own. Love the idea. thanks, for sharing.

    1. Yes so much tastier and fresher than store bought!

  12. 5 stars
    Looks like it takes quite a while to prepare this but anything homemade is always much tastier.

    1. It certainly does have a lot of flavor!

  13. Great recipe. This is super useful for making soaps and adding it to other dishes. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Yes! I love using it in soups!

  14. Becca Wilson

    I have never really made a broth like this before. It looks like it would be so handy when I go to make soups from scratch.

    1. Yes! It’s so perfect for soups!

  15. Bindu Thomas

    Great post and very interesting. I am always happy to try new things. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thank you so much! Hope you give this recipe a try!

  16. Bianca

    5 stars
    Thank you for posting this Instant Pot recipe! I’ve always made my bone broth in the slow cooker for about 36 hours. I JUST bought my Instant Pot and couldn’t wait to give it a try in there. I am SOOOOO pleased with the outcome! It is delicious!!!! I personally add an entire head of garlic and I made a cajun seasoning and put a bit of it in there for a little heat. Delicious! Thank you. Making bone broth in the Instant Pot has actually changed my life. 🙂

    1. So glad you enjoyed this recipe Bianca! Love that you added some heat to it!

  17. […] Homemade Beef Bone Broth […]

  18. Wanda

    I haven’t made this yet but I will. Can you freeze it in plastic containers?

    1. Yes you certainly can!

  19. Jane

    5 stars
    I loved this !! Thank you .
    I was wondering if I could can it as I don’t have much room left in the freezer.

    1. Thank you Jane! So glad you loved it. I’ve never canned bone broth before. I’m sorry. However, as far as I know it can’t be water canned it has to be pressure canned.

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