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How to Make Bone Broth
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How to Make Bone Broth (and How to Avoid Rancid Fat) — Instant Pot, Stove and slow-cooker

Make meat stock and bone broth with the same bones, and avoid rancid fat in the process.
Course Breakfast, DInner
Cuisine American
Keyword bone broth, crock pot, how to, instant pot, meat stock, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 10 cups
Calories 40kcal
Author Megan
Cost $3

Equipment

  • Instant Pot, slow cooker or stock pot

Ingredients

  • 10 cups filtered water (You will need 20 cups water total if you choose to make two batches from the same bones.)
  • 3 pounds bones : grass-fed and sustainably-raised
  • 2 Tablespoons sea salt (You will need 4 Tablespoons sea salt total if you make two batches.)

Instructions

  • First, to make short-cook Meat Stock: Place water in pot. Add bones and sea salt.
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    Crock Pot or Stove Top: Set timer so broth will simmer 2 to 2-1/2 hours; depending on how long it takes for slow cooker or pot to come to a simmer; set the time accordingly, about 3 to 3-1/2 hours.
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    Instant Pot: Place lid with rubber ring securely into place. Turn steam valve to closed position. Choose "Soup" setting of 30 minutes. When timer goes off, allow pressure to release naturally for 1 hour. Then place dish towel or hot pad over steam valve and open it carefully to release any remaining steam.
  • Two options for harvesting fat and meat stock: Option 1, use a ladle or metal spoon to ladle all the fat off the top of meat stock. Save this fat for another use. Option 2, when meat stock and pot are cool enough to handle, pour the entire contents of pot (fat and stock) through a fine mesh sieve into storage jars, reserving the bones.
  • You now have either a pot with stock (almost no fat) and bones. OR you have an empty pot. The first option will give you less overall stock and broth in the end, but all the nutrients will be concentrated into one bone broth.
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    The second option will give you two batches: one, a meat stock that's high in fat and gelatin, rich and flavorful. And two, a bone broth without fat but higher in protein and collagen.
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    Both variations are good and just a matter of preference. Most importantly, we aren't allowing the fat to have a long cooking time, during which time it becomes rancid and bad-tasting.
  • Option 1 — The fat is now removed. Continue cooking the broth now, to extract the collagen and protein from the bones with the longer cooking time.
    *
    Crock Pot or Stove Top: Cook broth an additional 24-72 hours.
    *
    Instant Pot: Reseal lid. Turn steam valve to closed position. Choose "Manual" button, then "-" button to set time at 120 minutes. When timer goes off, allow pressure to release naturally for 1 hour minimum. Then place dish towel or hot pad over steam valve and open it carefully to release any remaining steam. Strain and store in fridge until ready to use.
  • Option 2 — Return bones to pot. Add 2 Tablespoons additional sea salt and 10 cups additional filtered water.
    *
    Crock Pot or Stove Top: Cook broth an additional 24-72 hours.
    *
    Instant Pot: Reseal lid. Turn steam valve to closed position. Choose "Manual" button, then "-" button to set time at 120 minutes. When timer goes off, allow pressure to release naturally for 1 hour minimum. Then place dish towel or hot pad over steam valve and open it carefully to release any remaining steam. Strain and store in fridge until ready to use.

Notes

Adding apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may be added to this recipe, if desired, as an aid in extracting nutrients from the bones. If you wish to include it, use 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar in each batch of broth.
Whey may also be used, as a fruit-free alternative.
Contrary to many articles, bone broth is not high in minerals. It is protein that increases in bone broth from the longer cooking time. (ACV does not help to release minerals from the bones, except for a small amount of calcium.)

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 40kcal | Fat: 0.65g | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 125mg