Turkey Broth
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Use a leftover turkey carcass, veggies, fresh herbs, and seasonings to make this simple turkey broth on the stovetop or in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Ingredients Needed
As long as you have a turkey carcass on hand, you can make this broth! Use whatever root veggies/aromatics, fresh herbs, and seasonings you want. Ideas are below…
- 1 turkey carcass (like what’s leftover from Easy Roast Turkey Breast)
- Leftover veggies and fresh herbs (either from roasting a turkey or using what you have on hand), like a cut up onion, a few cut up carrots, a few stalks of celery, 1-2 garlic cloves, a handful of fresh parsley, 1-2 thyme or rosemary stems
- Enough water to cover the carcass (about 10-12 cups)
- Optional: peppercorns, bay leaf
Video: How to Make Turkey Broth
Take a look at how easy it is to make turkey broth on the stove, in the crock pot, or in the Instant Pot.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe is all about flexibility–using the ingredients you have on hand and cooking the broth using your method of choice (stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot). Here’s how to make your broth…
Add Ingredients
Place a turkey carcass, any leftover veggies or herbs from roasting the turkey breast (or any fresh ones you have on hand), and enough water to cover the carcass in a large stock pot, 6+ quart slow cooker, or 6+ quart Instant Pot. You can also throw in ½ teaspoon peppercorns or a bay leaf.
Cook the Broth
You have three choices of how to cook this broth…
Stovetop Method
Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours.
Crockpot Method
Cover with the lid and slow cook on LOW for 8-12 hours.
Instant Pot Method
Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 45 minutes with a quick release.
Strain the Turkey Broth
Using a colander/strainer over a large bowl or pot, strain out the solids from the broth. Let cool on the counter up to 2 hours only (then must be refrigerated to be safe!).
Use or Store It
After the broth is cool, either refrigerate and use within 3-5 days, or divide into freezer containers–like mason jars, Souper Cubes, or Pyrex containers with lids (leave at least 1 inch head room for expansion)–and freeze for up to 3-6 months.
How to Freeze & Thaw Broth
To Freeze: Cook and fully cool the broth. Divide into freezer containers–like mason jars, Souper Cubes, or Pyrex containers with lids (leave at least 1 inch head room for expansion)–and freeze for up to 3-6 months.
To Thaw: Thaw in the fridge for 24-48 hours or using the defrost setting on the microwave.
Tip: I prefer to freeze it in 2 cup increments, making it faster to thaw and a good portion size for recipes.
Recipes With Turkey Broth
Turkey broth can be used in nearly any recipe that calls for chicken broth or stock. Try it in some of these…
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Turkey Broth
Use your leftover turkey carcass and any aromatics to make this simple turkey broth on the stovetop or in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 1 turkey carcass (like what’s leftover from Easy Roast Turkey Breast)
- Leftover veggies and fresh herbs (either from roasting a turkey or using what you have on hand), like a cut up onion, a few cut up carrots, a few stalks of celery, 1-2 garlic cloves, a handful of fresh parsley, 1-2 thyme or rosemary stems
- Enough water to cover the carcass (about 10-12 cups)
- Optional seasoning: peppercorns, bay leaf
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Instructions
1. Place a turkey carcass, any leftover veggies or herbs from roasting the turkey breast (or any fresh ones you have on hand), and enough water to cover the carcass in a large stock pot or in a 6+ quart slow cooker or Instant Pot. You can also throw in ½ teaspoon peppercorns or a bay leaf.
2. Cook the turkey broth using one of these methods:
- Stovetop: Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours.
- Crockpot: Cover with the lid and slow cook on LOW for 8-12 hours.
- Instant Pot: Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 45 minutes with a quick release.
3. Using a colander/strainer over a large bowl or pot, strain out the solids from the broth. Let cool on the counter up to 2 hours only (then must be refrigerated to be safe!).
4. Either refrigerate and use within 3-5 days or divide into freezer containers–like mason jars, Souper Cubes, or Pyrex containers with lids (leave at least 1 inch head room for expansion)–and freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes/Tips
Can You Use a Chicken Instead? Absolutely! You can use your leftover chicken carcass to make delicious Chicken Broth instead.
Where We Get Our Turkey: We get our turkey (in the fall) and all our meat from ButcherBox. We highly recommend this service to source healthy meat–like organic chicken, uncured bacon, wild salmon, and grass-fed beef–and have used it for years ourselves. Read my full review here.
How To Thaw Broth: Thaw in the fridge for 24-48 hours or using the defrost setting on the microwave.
Homemade broth tastes better and is healthier! Thank you!
★★★★★