Name: How to Make Turkey Stock
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 1-2 lbs turkey bones; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1 celery rib (chopped coarsely); 1 carrot (chopped coarsely); 1 onion (quartered); scraps from turkey dinner prep: carrot peels (celery leaves, etc.); leftover herbs from turkey dinner prep; 8 cups water (or to cover all ingredients)

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How to make turkey stock- this is the perfect way to use up every last bit of your turkey. Homemade stock has so much flavor and is packed full of nutrients!

Once the turkey dinner is over, it's time to get rolling on that homemade turkey stock!

I will admit that sometimes it takes a little push to get me back in the kitchen, but homemade turkey stock is so simple to prepare, you can return to your turkey coma in no time! I'm always glad I made the effort to make this turkey stock recipe from the carcass.

Not only is homemade turkey stock perfect to use up in soup (like the leftover turkey detox soup I'll be posting tomorrow), but it has so. much. flavor. It really puts the store bought stuff to shame!

Reasons you'll love this leftover turkey stock recipe

you can use up the whole turkey carcass
it is nutrient-dense, hydrating and helps battle off a cold
it's the perfect post-turkey-dinner detox

How to make it

This turkey stock recipe is really kind of a 'non-recipe', because you can take what you happen to have and throw it in. I like to save the veggie scraps while I'm prepping turkey dinner and stash them in the freezer. I store vegetable peels, leftover herbs, the ends of celery and onions, etc.

get a LARGE stockpot- if you have 8-12 quarts, that's great! If, like me, you don't own one, you can use two smaller 4 quart pots.
Fill with turkey bones- I recommend 2 lbs at least.
add leftover herbs and veggie scraps. You can supplement with carrot, celery and onion as well.
cover with water (roughly 8 cups)
simmer for 2 hours- I leave the lid ajar so it doesn't over-reduce
cool, then strain off the solids and collect the liquid

Can I use the giblets and neck to make turkey stock?

Absolutely! You can stash them in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to make it.

Is turkey stock good for you?

Yes! It's full of vitamins and minerals from the turkey, veggies and herbs. It's great to support your immune system, which is why stock or broth are traditionally offered when you're sick.

Does turkey stock contain collagen?

If you want collagen-rich bone broth, check out this Leftover Turkey Bone Broth (Instant Pot) recipe! In order to extract collagen from the joints and bones of the turkey, you must either simmer it for an incredibly long amount of time, or you can use a pressure cooker.

How long does it keep for?

I would keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days. Longer than that, freeze it!

How to use it up

sip it
make it into soup (stay tuned for my leftover turkey detox soup recipe!)
to cook your rice or grains
use it in a casserole
to any pureed foods for a baby

Recipes that use turkey stock

One of these 7 Easy Rice Recipes, or this Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf
Anti-Inflammatory Broccoli, Ginger & Turmeric Soup, Thai Slow Cooker Wild Rice Soup, Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
in this Creamy Parmesan Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower recipe
in this Sundried Tomato Chickpea Pasta recipe

Recipe tips

I have my eye on this 8 quart stockpot
Storage- I used 2 quart mason jars (yes, I freeze right in the jars, just leave ¼ of the volume empty so there's room for it to expand!). If you'd prefer, I also like these re-usable Bernardin Plastic Freezer Jars
Looking for more "how to" recipes? Check out these Perfect Baked Chicken Thighs, this post on How to Bake Sweet Potatoes and How to Cook Perfect Rice

glass mason jars filled with turkey stock

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5 from 1 vote