Learn how easy it is to make Turkey Stock from the bones of your Thanksgiving turkey! All you need is a picked over turkey carcass and some vegetables and herbs that you probably already have on hand from cooking your turkey. You are going to love using this flavorful turkey stock in your next soup! Originally posted November 21, 2012.
The people in the apartment above us vacuum about once a week. (It’s pretty loud because the insulation in our apartment building is practically nil.) Every time I think to myself, Are they vacuuming again?? And then I immediately remind myself: Yes Karen, most people vacuum more than once every 3 months like you.
Anyway. Now that you’re feeling so good about yourself compared to me. We have news! We just found out we are having a baby BOY!! I’m still in complete shock. I was convinced it was a girl. (I think I just told myself that because I didn’t want to have to repaint Charlotte’s room.) Also, I thought Charlotte was a boy, so maybe my mother’s intuition is just in a state of perpetual Opposite-Day-ness. We are so excited to have a little boy!
For now I’m focusing on doing some toddler training before the baby gets here. Whose idea was it to let our toddlers sleep on mini trampolines? Charlotte’s favorite thing to do is jump in her crib (which, by the way, makes it not quite as formidable a time-out spot). You would not believe the height she gets. I know she is up from her nap not when she cries, but when I can hear the springs of her mattress getting a workout. One of these days she is going to go sailing over the edge. I should start lining the floor with pillows.
Have you guys decorated for Christmas yet? I broke down over the weekend. There is nothing better than a lit Christmas tree, yes, even the week before Thanksgiving!!
But don’t worry Thanksgiving, I am still SUPER excited about you. I made my first turkey last week, and wanted to get every last bit out of that bird as I could, so I decided to make some turkey stock. It was super easy. Throw everything in a pot and forget about it for a few hours. And man is it good! This stock makes the BEST soup. My favorite is to use the stock to make this Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Here’s what you’re going to need, hopefully you have most of this stuff leftover from your Thanksgiving shopping!
Making flavorful broth from a leftover turkey carcass is one of the best ways to get the most out of your holiday bird. But to extract all the rich flavors and nutrients into the broth, how long should you boil the turkey carcass?
Why Make Broth from the Turkey Carcass?
Rather than sending the picked-over bones to the trash after carving the meat, put them to work creating a nutritious homemade broth. Here are some key benefits:
- Reduces food waste by repurposing ingredients that would be discarded
- Collagen-rich bones impart a rich, full flavor and silky texture
- Avoids preservatives and excess sodium in commercial broths
- Customize the flavors with your choice of vegetables and aromatics
- Freezes well for using the holiday essence in future dishes
Factors That Affect the Cook Time
Several factors impact how long you need to boil the carcass to get the best results:
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Size of the carcass – Larger birds need more time to extract flavors from the bones and joints A 10-15 lb turkey carcass takes 4-6 hours.
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Meat left on carcass – More meat scraps require longer simmering to infuse their flavor into the broth. Bones picked clean don’t benefit as much from extended cooking.
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Amount of water – More water dilutes the broth requiring longer simmering to concentrate the flavors. Use 1 quart of water per pound of carcass.
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Temperature – Gentle simmering around 180°F efficiently extracts essences without too much agitation. Rapid boiling causes proteins to coagulate.
Recommended Cook Times
For a typical 10-15 lb post-Thanksgiving turkey carcass, optimal simmer times are:
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2-3 hours – Minimum for smaller birds under 10 lbs to get good flavor extraction.
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4-5 hours – Ideal time for average sized 10-15 lb turkey carcasses.
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6-8 hours – May be needed for very large birds or carcasses with lots of meat/scraps. Monitor water level.
The broth can safely simmer up to 10-12 hours, though the extra time doesn’t increase flavor much.
Tips for the Best Turkey Broth
Follow these tips when making broth from your turkey carcass:
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Use a large stockpot with room for broth to simmer freely.
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Add aromatics like onions, celery, carrots, garlic, herbs for more flavor.
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Skim excess fat and proteins that rise to the surface periodically.
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Keep at a lazy simmer around 180°F for efficient extraction.
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Check and replenish water level as needed to keep bones submerged.
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Strain well through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids.
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Cool and skim fat before use or freezing.
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Freeze broth in 1 cup portions for easy use in recipes.
Sample Cook Timelines
Here are some sample boil times based on the size of your turkey carcass:
- 8 lb carcass – Simmer 2 hours
- 12 lb carcass – Simmer 4 hours
- 16 lb carcass – Simmer 6 hours
You can certainly simmer longer if needed to fit your schedule. But much over these times provides minimal added benefit.
For food safety, refrigerate within 2 hours after cooking.
Storing and Freezing Turkey Broth
The cooked broth keeps 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. It also freezes very well for longer term storage. Cool completely before transferring to freezer bags or containers, leaving headspace to allow for expansion. Freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Making Turkey Soup from the Carcass
For an easy, no waste meal, transform your turkey carcass into a hearty soup. Follow the same initial steps to make the broth using the techniques above. Once strained, return the broth to the pot and add chopped cooked turkey meat, vegetables, grains or pasta, and any other desired ingredients. Simmer until the additions are tender.
With the flavorful foundation of the homemade turkey broth, ingredients like potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and noodles transform into a delicious soup for using up your holiday bird from beak to claw.
So don’t let that picked over carcass go to waste. Simmer it into a rich homemade broth or soup that captures the holiday essence. With the proper technique and cook time, you can extract every ounce of flavor and nutrition – and memories – from your Thanksgiving turkey.
How to make Turkey Stock
Turkey stock is super easy to make! It is one of my favorite things to do at the tail end of Thanksgiving Day. Chill on the couch while this simmers in the background, you barely have to babysit it. Once you taste it you are going to want to make it every year, so from now on just remember to over-buy a little bit on all your celery, carrots, onions, and herbs, and you are all set to go for your turkey stock!
Heat your turkey carcass with any turkey parts you have: neck, giblets, any skin, or leftover turkey drippings. You start by shoving your picked-over turkey carcass into the biggest pot you have. Depending on the size of your pot, you may need to break down the carcass to make it fit. If there is some meat left on the bones, that’s okay, but just know that once it’s done boiling for 4 hours, it’s going to be rather tough and not very tasty. So gather up the meat that you want to eat now and set aside.
Next, add in all your veggies and herbs. Add roughly-chopped onion, carrots, garlic and celery. Add parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. (Feel free to sing along. You do know the Simon and Garfunkel song, right? If not, look it up immediately!) Add bay leaves and peppercorns. There’s no need to be overly particular here. If you are missing an herb or two, don’t sweat it. The onions, celery, and carrots are most important as far as flavor goes.
Add about 4 quarts of water, covering most of the turkey and vegetables. Cover all of it with water. I filled my pot all the way to the top!
Simmer 2-4 hours.
After about 2-4 hours, your water level will have lowered a bit, and the turkey and veggies will have softened and shrunk. This recipe is pretty chill! 2 hours, 3 hours, basically whenever I want to go to bed on Thanksgiving night is how long I let mine simmer, haha. 2 hours is the minimum, 4 hours will give you a more condensed stock.
Pour the stock through a colander into a large bowl (or two) and separate out the fat. Drain through a colander into a large pot. I think it’s easier to use tongs to get the larger pieces out instead of dumping the whole pot of boiling hot stock all at once.
You can also make turkey stock in the slow cooker! Just put it all in the crock pot and turn it to low for 10-12 hours. SO easy.
Turkey Bone Broth FAQs
Yes, the culprit is high heat. A really long simmer time (even up to 4-5 hours) is totally fine, as long as it’s a gentle simmer and not a fast boil. High heat deadens the flavors of all those wonderful herbs. Just as bad, it essentially pulverizes (emulsifies) solids and fat into small bubbles that you can’t separate out of your stock, harming the smooth texture you’re going for and adding unnecessary calories (fat that doesn’t even taste good is not invited to my party). Just keep your heat low and slow and you’ll be good to go.
They’re the same thing, right?? Almost. Stock is: – always cooked from bones – often gels when it cools due from the bone marrow (today’s recipe will gel) – is usually left unseasoned (there is no salt in today’s recipe) – cooks for longer (usually 3-6 hours depending on the recipe)Broth: – can be made from meat without bones – is seasoned with salt – is usually cooked in less than 2 hours
The good news is that you don’t really have to remember any of this. You can use stock and broth interchangeably. Just remember to check the salt level in your final dish when using stock.
Turkey Carcass Soup
FAQ
How long does it take to boil turkey bones for broth?
Bring the stock to the boil, scooping off any froth that forms on the surface, then turn down the heat and simmer everything gently for 3 hrs.
How long do you need to boil bones for broth?
- In practical terms, cook your broth for at least 12 hours, then start checking it. I’m usually satisfied with my broth at around the 24-hour mark, but you can keep simmering for days. …
- Cook it over very low heat. …
- You can use your slow cooker.
Can you simmer turkey stock too long?
Can you overcook turkey stock? Yes, the culprit is high heat. A really long simmer time (even up to 4-5 hours) is totally fine, as long as it’s a gentle simmer and not a fast boil. High heat deadens the flavors of all those wonderful herbs.
How do you know when turkey stock is done?
Then gently simmer it for a few hours to extract as much flavor and gelatin from the bones and aromatics as possible. When strained and chilled, the stock should set like jelly, a sign you’ve done it right.
How long to boil a turkey carcass for broth?
The ideal time to boil a turkey carcass for broth is between 6 and 8 hours. To achieve a rich, flavorful broth, it’s crucial to allow enough time for the bones, meat, and other ingredients to simmer and release their essence. This extended cooking time helps extract all the goodness from the carcass, resulting in a hearty and delicious broth.
How long to boil turkey bones for broth?
The ideal amount of time to boil turkey bones for broth is around 2-3 hours. This will allow enough time for the flavors to meld and the nutrients to be extracted from the bones. Simmering the bones for an extended period can result in a rich and flavorful broth that can serve as a delicious base for various dishes. 1.
Can you make bone broth from a turkey carcass?
Making bone broth from a turkey carcass is a great way to use up leftovers after the big holiday meal Simmering the bones extracts nutrients like collagen, minerals, and amino acids that provide health benefits. But how long should you cook a turkey carcass to get the most out of it? Here’s what you need to know Why Make Turkey Bone Broth?
Can You boil a turkey carcass for Soup?
Yes, you can boil a turkey carcass for soup without additional ingredients, but adding some basic ingredients like vegetables and herbs can enhance the flavor of the broth. How long should I boil the turkey carcass for soup? It’s recommended to boil the turkey carcass for soup for at least 2-3 hours.
How long does turkey broth take to cook?
The broth can simmer safely up to 10 to 12 hours, though the marginal increase in flavor won’t usually justify the extra time. Follow these tips for getting the most out of your post-holiday turkey bones: Use a large pot – Leave room for the broth to simmer freely. Avoid cramming in too many bones.
How long do you cook a turkey carcass after Thanksgiving?
For a typical post-Thanksgiving turkey carcass weighing 10 to 15 pounds, simmering times of 4 to 6 hours yield a nicely concentrated broth. 2 – 3 hours is the minimum to get good flavor from the bones of smaller birds under 10 pounds. 4 – 5 hours is ideal for average sized turkey carcasses between 10 and 15 pounds.