Make Easy Slow-Cooker Bone Broth at Home

Makes approximately 4 quarts

INGREDIENTS

• 2–3 pounds grass-fed beef bones (or pastured chicken carcass)
• 1 large yellow onion, cut in half (skin on)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 carrots, cut into quarters
• 1/2 small celeriac root, cut in half
• 1/3 bunch parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 10–15 whole peppercorns
• 1 juniper berry (optional)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

FIND SOUP BONES AT THE CO-OP

Find grass-fed beef marrow bones, labeled as soup or doggie bones, or 2.5-pound bags of chicken bones from local vendor Osprey Hill Farm in the meat freezer. We also sell chicken necks, wings, drumsticks, and whole chickens (just roast and strip the meat off the carcass).

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Place bones on a baking sheet and roast for 20–30 minutes or until browned.
2. Meanwhile, sear the onion face down on a skillet until browned. Then pierce bay leaf to onion half with the cloves.
3. Add roasted beef bones and juices to the slow cooker. Add all veggies, remaining spices, and vinegar to bones. Fill with enough cold fresh water to cover bones/veggies. Program slow cooker to cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Fill with more water to cover bones and continue to cook on low for longer than 10 hours if a stronger more medicinal bone broth is desired (at least 24 hours is recommended).
4. When broth is ready, remove large veggie chunks and bones. Pour remaining liquid into large glass jars and cool to keep it from souring. Once cooled, you may remove as much of the fat layer as desired. The remaining broth can be thinned with water if necessary. This broth keeps for 1 week in the refrigerator or you can freeze in ice cube trays for later use. Season with sea salt and fresh herbs (minced rosemary, thyme, and oregano) if used as a hot beverage.

ALTERNATIVE METHOD

After cooking for 24 hours and then removing the veggies, you can continue to keep broth and bones in the slow cooker, replenishing with enough fresh water to keep bones covered. Reheat in slow cooker on low heat for 4 to 5 hours each time fresh water is added. Allow to cool and refrigerate unused portion. Process may be repeated for about 7 days, then discard.

Attend Selva’s Healthy Connections class on March 9, 2020, to learn how to make your own nourishing broths at home. See more Healthy Connections classes on our website.

Learn more about the health benefits of bone broth in Selva's Ask the Nutritionist column.