BHA & BHT Free Homemade Beef Bone Broth

Total time12 hr 45 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time30 min

5.0

(28)

Rich, deeply savory, and made entirely from scratch, this beef bone broth is the kind of kitchen project that fills your home with an incredible aroma and rewards your patience in a big way. Store-bought broths and stocks are notorious for containing synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT, which makes finding a clean option on grocery shelves genuinely frustrating. Making it yourself means you know exactly what went into the pot — nothing more than roasted bones, fresh vegetables, herbs, apple cider vinegar, and sea salt. Roasting the bones first at high heat builds a deep, caramelized flavor base, and the long, gentle simmer extracts collagen and richness that no carton can replicate. The apple cider vinegar helps draw minerals from the bones during cooking, and the fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley keep the flavor bright and complex without any additives. Once chilled, you'll have a glossy, amber broth ready to use as a soup base, braising liquid, or a warming sip on its own. Batch it up and freeze portions so you always have a preservative-free staple on hand.

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Ingredients

8 servings

3 lb beef bones (knuckles, marrow bones, or oxtail, or a mix)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic, smashed
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh parsley
2 bay leaves
1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
12 cups cold water, or enough to cover bones by 2 inches

Instructions

1
Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the beef bones in a single layer in a large roasting pan and roast for 25–30 minutes, until deeply browned on the exposed surfaces.
2
Transfer the roasted bones to a large stockpot (12-quart or larger). Pour off and discard any excess fat from the roasting pan, then add 1–2 cups of the cold water to the pan and scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. Pour this liquid into the stockpot.

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