If you’ve never made homemade turkey broth, it’s time you do! After decades of making this recipe, let me show you how to make the richest, most flavorful turkey broth. It’s the secret ingredient for the best Thanksgiving gravy and hearty soups, bringing a depth of flavor that store-bought can’t match. While it takes a little extra effort, the payoff is worth it. Plus, there’s a special step for that beautiful brown color—something most recipes leave out. Let me share it with you!
Is turkey stock the same as turkey broth? Basically, yes. Technically broth is made with meaty pieces and stock is made with bones. Sometimes its referred to as turkey bone broth or stock. These days the descriptions get blended. Is homemade turkey broth good for you? Absolutely! And it tastes terrific.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Making broth from turkey is a great way to use up leftovers and create a tasty, nutritious stock for soups, stews, gravies, and more Turkey broth is easy to make at home and full of flavor
Overview
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Turkey broth utilizes the bones, meat skin and veggies to create a mineral-rich stock.
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Simmering the bones and connective tissue breaks down collagen and releases gelatin, minerals, and amino acids into the broth.
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The process is very simple and only requires a turkey carcass and some basic aromatics like carrots, celery, onions, and herbs.
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Turkey broth can be made in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or right on the stovetop.
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The broth keeps for 5 days refrigerated or can be frozen for later use in recipes.
Benefits of Turkey Broth
Homemade turkey broth provides many health benefits:
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Boosts gut health – Compounds like glutamine and collagen reduce inflammation and promote digestion.
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Supports menstrual health – Minerals help stimulate ovulation and reduce PMS symptoms.
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Promotes thyroid and metabolism – Minerals boost thyroid hormone conversion.
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Improves skin, nails, and hair – Collagen repairs and strengthens tissues and cells.
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Reduces inflammation – Amino acids and minerals boost immunity and reduce inflammation.
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Promotes relaxation – Glycine promotes muscle relaxation and restorative sleep.
How to Make Turkey Broth
Making turkey broth at home is simple. Here is an overview of the basic steps:
Ingredients
- Turkey carcass, bones, and skin
- Water (around 3 quarts)
- Vegetables like carrots, celery, onion (all optional)
- Herbs like parsley, thyme, bay leaves (optional)
- Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Place turkey carcass and bones in a large stockpot. Cover with cold water.
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Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour, up to 8-12 hours.
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Add vegetables, herbs, and vinegar and continue simmering.
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Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer.
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Allow broth to cool. Skim off excess fat from the top.
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Add salt and pepper. Store broth in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for later use.
Tips
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Keep the turkey skin and fat – they provide collagen.
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Use fresh, cold water – this keeps the broth clear.
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Don’t boil the broth – gently simmer for best results.
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Add apple cider vinegar – helps draw out nutrients from the bones.
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Add veggies and herbs later in cooking – prevents overpowering flavors.
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Cool broth quickly before storing – retains texture and flavor.
How to Use Turkey Broth
Turkey broth is very versatile. It can be used to:
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Make soups like turkey noodle soup, vegetable soup, minestrone.
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Cook grains like rice, quinoa, barley.
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Braise meats and vegetables.
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Make gravies and sauces.
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Use in place of water when baking bread.
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Drink on its own – provides nutrients and hydration.
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Make bone broth hot chocolate.
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Use in casseroles, stir fries, stews and more.
Freezing and Storing Turkey Broth
Proper storage is important for preserving turkey broth.
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Cool broth completely before storage.
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Store broth in airtight glass jars or containers.
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Frozen broth keeps for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge before using.
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Refrigerated broth lasts 4-5 days.
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Freeze broth in ice cube trays or muffin tins for easy portioning.
Making broth from turkey leftovers is frugal, nutritious, and delicious. The process is quite simple and the broth can be used in many recipes. Homemade turkey broth provides a variety of health benefits and minerals that support the immune system, gut health, and more. With proper storage techniques, turkey broth can be enjoyed for months after making it. Experiment with adding different vegetables, herbs and spices for unique flavor combinations.
Step 1: Roast the turkey and vegetables
Distribute the turkey parts in a large roasting pan, then top with chopped carrots, celery, onion, a split head of garlic (unpeeled). Roast the turkey and vegetables for 1 hour at 375°F, then add 1 cup of white wine or dry white vermouth and roast for another 30 minutes. This is what you use to make the broth.
Allow the roasted turkey and vegetables to cool, refrigerate until the next day to make the broth. Breaking up the process make it more manageable.
Chefs note: The wine is a great addition adding nice flavor, and deglazing the pan. If you dont use wine in cooking, use water or chicken broth.
Step 3: Strain and chill
Strain the broth through a fine sieve into a large clean pot. Don’t use plastic as it will slow cooling. Discard the leftover bones, meat and vegetables.
Quickly chill the strained broth by placing the pot in an ice water bath. Fill a sink half full with with cold water and ice. To speed cooling, place something under the pot like a trivet so cold water circulates underneath.
Stir broth occasionally for faster cooling. You want the broth cooling as quickly as possible for food safety. Cool to 70°F before refrigerating.
Chefs tip: If you want to skip the roasting process you can still make great turkey broth. The flavors will not be as rich but its still delicious, more like chicken broth.
How To Make Turkey Stock – Turkey Broth Recipe
FAQ
Is turkey stock the same as turkey broth?
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Turkey stock
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Turkey broth
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Ingredients
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Bones and meat trimmings
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Meat, vegetables, and seasonings
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Cooking time
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Simmers for hours
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Cooks relatively quickly
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Consistency
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Thick and gelatinous
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Thin and flavorful
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Uses
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Base for stews, grains, vegetables, or sauces
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Can be sipped on its own or used as a finished product
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Is homemade turkey broth good for you?
Cooking with homemade stock makes you look like a pro – and your food will taste like it, too. Bone stock is packed with gelatin which supports skin, hair, joint health and many processes in the body. Stock has lots of easily digested minerals, too. Stock is called Jewish penicillin for a reason: this is healing food.
Is turkey drippings the same as broth?
The drippings are essentially stock. You can water it down if you want broth. I’d recommend using it to braise vegetables or to make gravy.
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 to make turkey broth?
Making turkey broth is simple Here are the basic steps Ingredients: Turkey bones, wing tips, neck, organ meats like heart and gizzard (optional), vegetables like onion, celery, and carrots, fresh herbs. Cooking method: Simmer bones and water for 1-4 hours to extract flavor and gelatin, adding vegetables and herbs later.
What is chicken broth?
Chicken broth is made by boiling chicken bones or meat in which other ingredients such as herbs, spices and seasonings are added to enrich the taste. As the meat and bones of the chicken are boiled, nutrients from the bones and meat leak out into the water and this makes the broth itself nutritious.
Can I use a whole turkey thighs in turkey broth?
This homemade turkey stock recipe is easy and so tasty. TURKEY: When I make turkey broth I prefer to only use the turkey wings, thighs and turkey legs (I don’t like to use the back, it’s just too big for the pot, but if you have a large pot big enough for the whole turkey carcass, you can certainly use the whole thing).
Can I use turkey broth instead of chicken broth?
Turkey broth makes amazing soups, like leftover turkey noodle soup, but can also be used in place of chicken broth in all your favorite recipes. At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe. Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities. Turkey carcass: Bones and all.
What can you do with turkey bone broth?
Homemade turkey bone broth is endlessly versatile. Here are some nutritious ways to use it: Sip it on its own as a warm and comforting drink. Use it as the base for soups, stews, chilis, and gravies. Cook grains like rice, quinoa or oatmeal in broth instead of water. Make a health-boosting broth bowl with veggies and protein.
How long does turkey broth take to cook?
Turkey broth contains bones and meat. Cook time is 1-4 hours. Turkey stock uses bones only and cooks for 6-24 hours to extract more gelatin. So broth has added flavor from the meat, while stock gels more when cooled due to high collagen content. Stock is traditionally used for cooking, and broth for drinking.