Citrus Free Fish Bone Broth
A deeply nourishing, golden broth made from mild white fish bones and heads, this recipe is the kind of slow-cooked staple that belongs in every home cook's rotation. The combination of leek, carrot, celery, and aromatics like fresh ginger and turmeric gives the liquid a gentle warmth and earthy depth that feels restorative in every sip. Apple cider vinegar does the quiet work of drawing minerals from the bones during a 30-minute soak before the pot even hits the stove ā a small step that makes a real difference. Many store-bought broths and bouillons sneak in citrus juice, citric acid, or natural flavors derived from citrus, making this kind of from-scratch approach genuinely valuable when you need to know exactly what's in your bowl. Every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify, so there's no guesswork. The key to a clear, clean-tasting result is patience ā a low, barely-bubbling simmer for 45 to 60 minutes keeps the broth bright rather than cloudy or bitter. Make a big batch, freeze it in portions, and you'll have a versatile, citrus-free base ready for soups, grains, or sipping straight from a mug.
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Learn more āIngredients
6 servings
- 2 lb fish bones and heads (from mild white fish such as halibut, cod, or snapper), rinsed
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 10 cups cold water
- 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
- 3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 leek, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped and rinsed
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- Ā½ tsp ground turmeric
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 sprigs fresh parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
- 1
Place the fish bones and heads in the stockpot and cover with the cold water. Add the apple cider vinegar and let the bones soak for 30 minutes ā this helps draw minerals into the broth.
- 2
Set the pot over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, skimming off any gray foam that rises to the surface during the first 10ā15 minutes, until the liquid runs mostly clear.
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