Best Bone Broths to Buy (and Why) … it’s not what you think!

I may receive a commission if you purchase through links in this post. I am not a doctor; please consult your practitioner before changing your supplement or healthcare regimen.

What are the best bone broths to buy + which broths to avoid (and why!). I looked into this issue for you with health in mind. That means: I looked at sourcing, packaging, additional ingredients and the diet of the animals.

The results you’ll find below are quite different than what other articles tell you.

I only found four companies whose broth I would drink. And with my preferences for quality + my food restrictions, there is only one broth below I drink.

I think you’ll be surprised how many bone broths seem healthy, but really, they’re not.

Benefits of buying bone broth

Although I’ve made my own for years, and we even owned a bone broth café, I can still see two reasons why many people benefit from buying bone broth:

• Good bone broth products are standardized, so we know we’re getting a concentrated dose of collagen (not collagen peptides, which is different and more refined). The extraction of amino acids can vary in homemade batches quite a bit.
• Many people would not get bone broth at all without commercially made products. Convenience. Frequency of consumption.

Best Bone Broths to Buy: Sourcing of bones & animal husbandry

A lot of bone broths masquerade as healthy. But, what really makes bone broth healthy?

Healthy animals make healthy bones and broth. While many bone broth companies use grass-fed beef, these same cattle are actually finished on grain.

Bone broth needs to source from grass-finished animals.

Grain-fed beef and broth is estrogenic.

Unfortunately, even the term pasture-raised has now been hijacked and is used deceptively. (What pasture-raised should mean is that cows graze on grass their whole lives right up until they’re slaughtered. But companies use the term loosely to mean the animal was pasture-raised at any one point in their life [yet finished on grain in a feedlot].)

Also, most articles about the “best” bone broths are not accurate:

• For example, these articles (1, 2) mention the minerals inherent in quality bone broth. Bone broth is actually not mineral-rich at all. (What we get from the long cooking time is more protein.) (source)
• Largely written by ghost writers, the articles repeat and parrot the same information written everywhere else.
• Recommended broths often contain unhealthy additives.
• Issues like sourcing of bones, packaging and company values are not explored.
• Articles often mention whether or not broths are GM or organic, but we need to look beyond those buzz words.

Which broths aren’t nightshade free and/or AIP

Of course, most bone broths on the market should be avoided for healthy diets, because the animals the broths are sourced from are not grass-finished. But some the bone broths that seem healthier should also be looked at closely.

Some of the more popular broths use tomato to create a richer flavored product. Watch out for these if you react to or avoid nightshades, and observe ingredients closely.

Other ingredients for everyone to avoid: yeast extract, natural flavors and spices, terms which may legally be used for MSG. Whether MSG with a different name or simply high in glutamate content, these are not safe additives for bone broth products.

Bone broth is already high in glutamate, so adding more brings it to unnatural and potentially unhealthy levels. If you’re sensitive, expect headaches, nausea, histamine reactions and possible cramping from ingredients like these.

Similarly, watch out for ingredients like xanthan gum, guar gum (emulsifiers), maltodextrin (an anti-caking agent) and stevia (in the sweetened bone broths).

The following (often-recommended) broths use tomato, or other non-AIP ingredients, so avoid them for AIP or nightshade-free diets: Bare Bones, Ancient Nutrition and Osso Good Bone Broth’s main product (but see their AIP bone broth, more on this below).

What’s the best packaging for bone broth

Tetra Paks are the most common packaging for broths, but in fact, they come with serious hazards.

Single use plastic is common packaging for bone broth powders.

The best packaging options are glass or paper.

I understand most of you don’t want to stress over packaging. But it’s always good to raise awareness of our choices, so in that spirit, I discuss these packaging options more. Also, it isn’t too hard to opt for the better options below:

Tetra Paks (how healthy are they)

• Tetra Paks, while deemed safe by most people, actually degrade and leach into the contents of the packaging (your broth).
• 24% polyethylene plastic and 6% aluminum make up the lining of this packaging. (source)
• Avoid Tetra Paks. Really: look for the best alternative.
  

Plastic

• Bone broth packaged in single use plastic has two drawbacks, both for health and environmental reasons.
• Most bone broth powders are sold in plastic containers. Health-wise, because this food is not wet or heated in the plastic, it is likely affected very little by the packaging. But, avoid any products with packaging labeled with the numbers 3, 6 or 7. Unfortunately, this labeling is not mandatory. (source)
• Environmentally, 70% of all plastic packaging is derived from fossil fuels. Plastic manufacturing contributes as much as 1% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. (sources 1, 2, 3) By choosing foods not packaged in plastic we help to reduce emissions.
• Lastly, very little plastic is recyclable in most cities. So that canister or bag will end up in the landfill or the ocean.

Glass (wins)

• Bone broth sold in glass jars is the best option, but harder to find. One leading brand is sold in glass jars, but none of the ingredients are organic. (This is shocking to me. Please avoid conventional products. Conventionally grown chicken is not health food, and their bones are not safe.)
• Toxic compounds called chlorohydrins have been detected in foods closed in glass screw-cap jars.
• Despite chlorohydrins, it’s hard to trace any negative impacts on health or the environment resulting from packaging in glass.

Note: While packaging is important, the bone broth product itself needs to be pesticide and GM-free, as well as grass-finished. If you see a glass jar of bone broth, check to be sure it’s an organic product.

Paper (wins)

• A polyethylene (PE) plastic sealant to keep the product fresh oftentimes lines single use paper packets. But, increasingly, these are made from biopolymers to provide a more eco-friendly approach. (source)
• Paper packaging and its coating aren’t ideal for the environment when made with PE, but hopefully bone broth companies are using newer more natural technology. (I did not delve into this research, but I do think it’s likely.)
• If made with biopolymers, this packaging is a good alternative to petroleum-based packaging.

Best Bone Broths to Buy: Who owns the bone broth company?

Advertising on bone broth packaging would lead us to believe that the companies care about our health and animal welfare.

But, does the company really care about our health or the environment?

Or, are the words on the packaging used as a marketing gimmick to sell bone broth?

Sadly, mass corporations built for profit now own bone broth companies. These monopolies invest in other companies that actually harm human health and the environment.

One example is Vital Proteins brand of bone broth, now owned by Nestlé. As you may know, Nestlé has committed egregious crimes of child slave labor in West Africa for their chocolate manufacturing. Despite initial promises, 20 years later, this company still supports abuse for profit, affecting 2.1 million children. (source) Please do not ever buy any Nestlé products, including Vital Proteins.

The takeaway is: If you’re going to buy any brand of bone broth repeatedly, check into who owns the company and that company’s mission statement, other investments and core values.

Long enough cooking time of the bones

Most bone broths on the market do cook their bones for a minimum of 18 to 24 hours, which earns the product the title of bone broth.

A shorter cooked broth is sometimes okay, too, for smaller bones. With big bones, a short cook time yields fewer amino acids. (source)

Some less-good bone broths actually boil their bones for too long or at too high of a temperature resulting in a bitter tasting broth (caused by the proteins denaturing).

Does bone broth have to gel to be good

Actually, no.

Your homemade or store bought broth may have had a long cooking time and be very concentrated with collagen, but still be thin.

Typically, the longer collagen is heated, the shorter the resulting polypeptides. So sometimes a very long-simmered bone broth will not gel.

However, a good-quality bone broth will have a decent amount of protein per serving, usually between 8 to 10 grams, or higher. Protein indicates the amino acids in the broth.

A gel is great, though. This assures us that the ratio of bones to water was high, and that the broth is rich with gelatin.

Best store bought bone broth brands to consider

Store bought bone broth comes in three forms: frozen, cartons off the shelf and powder form (either in packets or canisters).

Best frozen bone broths

1. Bonafide

• • Pros: Made with organic chicken and vegetables. Gels when chilled. Good flavor. Made with good quality sea salt. Frozen for integrity of nutrition. No additives or preservatives. No plastics used in the cooking process, no tap water. Lab tested and lead-free. Their broth is cooled completely before being filled into BPA + EA free bags. Created by a GAPS practitioner. 10 grams of protein per cup.
  • Cons: No specific information about the chickens other than organic and free-range, which are loose terms. They definitely need to have supplemental feed, so what is it? Usually it’s soy and corn. I have emailed this company but have not yet heard back from them. Contains apple cider vinegar, so not fruit-free. Expensive (but understandably).
  • Find Bonafide Bone Broth here.

2. Osso Good Bone Broth

• • Pros: Made with organic meats and vegetables. Beef information claims grass-finished. Good flavor. Noticeable gel. No added flavorings. Lab tested and lead-free. The product ships frozen, to avoid the high heat damage that can occur with Tetra Paks and similar packaging. They offer an AIP-compliant product (here). This company gives back through thoughtful charity donations. Their BPA-FREE stand up pouch can be recycled once rinsed. 7.5 grams of protein per cup. A little expensive (they all are!).
    
  • Cons: Main products contain tomato and peppercorns, so not nightshade-free or AIP-compliant. If you order online through Amazon, the packaging can leak. Expensive (but understandably). The pork broth is not organic.
  • Find Osso Good Bone Broths here.

Best bone broth in a carton

3. Kettle and Fire

• • Pros: Made with organic chicken or beef bones, high in protein, good flavor options, no MSG or other additives. Non-GMO. The website claims the beef is grass-finished. Nightshade-free. Of the packaging they say, “Our cartons are made of FSC Certified Paperboard, fully recyclable, and produced in a factory certified to meet World-Class Manufacturing standards.” I have emailed this company and am waiting to hear back more details. Less expensive than the above frozen products. 10 grams of protein per cup.
    
  • Cons: Some people claim that it’s a bit expensive. But honestly, you don’t get all that ^^ for a cheap price. To me the price seems fair for the quality of product.
  • Side notes: Veggies are added to the broth, which makes it less pure for those who have food sensitivities. A very small amount of onion and other vegetables, but no nightshades. Not sure yet if their packaging is completely different than Tetra Paks.
  • Find Kettle and Fire here.

Best powdered bone broth

4. Paleovalley

• • Pros: It’s hard to beat Paleovalley’s sourcing and quality: Made with grass-finished beef. Convenient powder. Can even be used in smoothies, coffee (just stir it in, or blend it in if you want it foamy) or baked goods, because it has a mild flavor. Better than collagen, but can be used similarly. Very high protein of 15 grams per serving. Non-GM, pesticide-free grass. Third party tested for pesticide residue. Not collagen peptides (which is highly processed). Only 2 ingredients (bones and water), great for AIP or most restricted diets. No additives at all. No antibiotics or hormones given to the cows. 60-day money back guarantee.
  • Cons: Not as flavorful as some broths, to drink by the mug, but still good. Blend with a little sea salt to enjoy it as broth. This is not a negative for everyone, but if you want the full rich flavor of broth, it is. Expensive but fair price. I am waiting to hear back from Paleovalley for more information on their packaging.
  • DISCOUNT CODE: Because I use this product myself, I reached out to Paleovalley. Eat Beautiful readers can enjoy 15% off with this link. If you Subscribe, there’s a 30% off discount (!), and shipping is free if you buy a few containers. Lots of good savings here.

Final powdered product:

5. Bare Bones (I do not recommend this product, but it is the second best powdered product on the market for flavor and moderately decent ingredients. Use caution: it does contain maltodextrin and is not sourced from pasture-finished animals. This product is not AIP.)

• • Pros: Bare Bones has a good flavor on its own. Bare Bones is tested, and is negative, for heavy metals. Bare Bones is organic. Comes in a convenient powder form. One packet can replace one bouillon cube. 10 grams of protein per serving.
  • Cons: It contains maltodextrin (an anti-caking agent), has 3 grams of carbs per serving and is not technically Paleo, Ancestral or Keto. Does not come from pastured animals. Contains nightshades, not AIP-friendly.
  • Find Bare Bones here.

If you have a bone broth that isn’t mentioned here: I did not feature bone broth companies that aren’t using organic and/or pasture-finished animals. I consider it harmful to consume the water from simmered bones of conventionally raised animals.

What makes bone broths healthy when trying to choose a brand

What makes bone broths healthy is the kind of animals from which they’re sourced. The broth is only as healthy as the food the cows are fed and the way they’re treated.

This means they need to be grazing on pesticide-free grass, without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics. If their diet is supplemented, it should be with non-GM grain that’s sprouted or fermented to support its digestion.

From the broth, we consume compounds that reduce inflammation. We ingest a variety of non-essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein that help to create elasticity and healing in our skin, joints, cartilage, bones and digestive lining.

When the gut heals, our immune system is able to balance itself.

The gelatin in broth (and meat stock) helps restore the strength of the gut lining and can resolve food sensitivities.

So, we don’t want a product with lead, pesticide residue or one that’s estrogenic because the cow was fed soy or corn.

Instead, healthy broth, should soothe, restore and help the body to detoxify.

Tips when buying broth Conclusion

To sum up this article, here are the bullet points:

• Don’t be fooled by marketing that advertises: “grass-fed”, “non-GMO”, “no growth hormones” or “keto/paleo-friendly”. While these selling points are important, the wording is often a smoke screen for not complying with even more important measures.
• Look not just for “organic” or “pasture-raised”. Seek out grass-finished and the fine print on a company’s website (or email them) about how they raise their animals.
• Many bone broth articles recommend bone broth products with yeast extract or other additives. This is unacceptable. A food with added glutamate or emulsifiers should not be considered health food.
• Look for packaging that doesn’t degrade into the broth. Glass and paper are best. Frozen bone broths seem like a good alternative to Tetra Paks.

Best alternative to buying bone broth

For me, the best alternative to buying bone broth is: making meat stock.

Meat stock is rich in gelatin and very fast to make. It’s more gentle than bone broth and buttery in flavor.

Meat stock is high in collagen and wonderful for healing. It’s lower in glutamic acid and histamines.

If you’re really after the higher level of glutamic acid in bone broth, I recommend using a pressure cooker to make homemade bone broth; it’s the fastest, easiest and the most mess-free method.

This article shares how to make Meat Stock or Bone Broth in a pressure cooker (your Instant Pot or similar).

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