Turkey Free Homemade Chicken Bone Broth

Total time4 hr 30 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time3 hr 45 min

4.5

(12)

Rich, golden, and deeply savory, this homemade chicken bone broth is the kind of kitchen project that makes your whole house smell incredible. It starts with a quick blanching step that removes impurities from the bones, so the finished broth comes out clear and clean rather than murky — a small extra effort that makes a big difference. Apple cider vinegar gets added before the heat even goes on, giving it time to gently draw minerals out of the bones during a 20-minute rest, which means you're getting every bit of goodness the bones have to offer. A long, lazy simmer of three to four hours does the heavy lifting, coaxing out that slightly viscous, full-bodied texture you just can't get from a carton. Aromatics like fresh thyme, parsley, garlic, and optional ginger layer in warmth and complexity without overpowering the clean chicken flavor. For anyone avoiding turkey-based products — whether for dietary, religious, or personal reasons — this is a completely reliable, from-scratch alternative that gives you total control over every single ingredient. Use it as a base for soups, to cook grains, or sip it straight from a mug on a cold afternoon.

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Ingredients

8 servings

3 lb chicken bones and carcasses (backs, necks, wings, or a mix)
2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
4 sprigs fresh thyme
4 sprigs fresh parsley
2 bay leaves
1 tsp fine sea salt
10–12 cups cold water, or enough to cover by 1 inch
1 tbsp fresh ginger, thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

1
Place the chicken bones in the stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then drain and rinse the bones under cold running water, discarding the blanching liquid. Wipe out the pot. This step removes impurities that would cloud the finished broth.
2
Return the rinsed bones to the clean pot. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, thyme, parsley, bay leaves, salt, and ginger (if using). Pour in enough cold water to cover everything by about 1 inch (10–12 cups). Let the pot sit, uncovered, for 20 minutes — the vinegar begins drawing minerals from the bones during this rest.

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