Leftover turkey bone broth is the perfect way to use up your turkey leftovers! Nutrient-dense, immune-boosting, and the best way to use every part of the turkey.
I don't know about you, but the day after a turkey dinner, I am lethargic and feeling a bit depleted. It could possibly because of the energy involved in cooking and hosting a turkey dinner, but also from over-indulging in too much rich, heavy food.
I am craving a little 'detox', and this turkey bone broth recipe is just what the doctor ordered!
Not only is bone broth nutrient-dense, full of natural collagen, and hydrating, but it's the best way to use every part of the turkey. I hate seeing those bones and the bits of meat stuck to them go straight into the compost.
PST! Check out this post for a great Turkey Stock Recipe!
Reasons to love this recipe
- you can use up the whole turkey carcass
- it is nutrient-dense, hydrating and full of collagen
- it's the perfect post-turkey-dinner detox
How to make turkey bone broth
Thanks to the Instant Pot, it's super simple to make it!
- Add 1.5 - 2 lbs of turkey carcass to an Instant Pot. Add all different parts especially ones containing cartilage. I recommend adding the wings as they are great sources of collagen!
- Add veggie scraps & leftover herbs that you collected while prepping turkey dinner. You can stash them in the freezer until you're ready to make your bone broth.
- Add apple cider vinegar and water. The ACV helps pull the minerals out of the bones.
- Pressure cook for 2 hours. Let it naturally release for 10-20 minutes.
- Strain off the bones & veggie scraps.
- That's it!
What's the difference between turkey stock and turkey bone broth?
They are very similar, however bone broth is either simmered for much longer or pressure cooked in a way that extracts the collagen from the bones and joints. Bone broth will gel when cooled, whereas turkey stock will remain liquid and is thinner in consitency.
Why should I drink homemade bone broth?
Bone broth is FULL of nutrients, collagen and gelatin, which is great for your hair, nails and skin (hello, fountain of youth!). Not only that but it's great for healing your gut, supporting your immune system, and protecting your joints. See more details here.
Whoa. My bone broth gelled when I cooled it! What's up with that?
That's actually a great sign that your bone broth is rich in gelatin! Just like jello, which gels thanks to gelatin. If your bone broth doesn't gel, don't worry, it probably just means that you didn't have quite enough gelatin-rich bones in your stock, or maybe you had a lower bone : water ratio. You will still have plenty of nutrition in your bone broth!
How long does turkey bone broth last for?
I would keep your broth in the refrigerator for no longer than 5 days. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
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 baby
Use your bone broth in
- One of these 7 Easy Rice Recipes, or this Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf
- Healthy Butternut Squash Soup, Healthy Broccoli Soup, or Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup (which obviously would no longer be vegan 😉 )
- In this Baked Ravioli with Butternut Squash
- in this Creamy Parmesan Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower recipe
- in this Sundried Tomato Chickpea Pasta recipe
Recipe tips
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot; this recipe has not been tested in an 8 quart
- 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
(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 
Leftover Turkey Bone Broth
Ingredients
- 2 lbs turkey bones
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 celery rib (chopped coarsely)
- 1 carrot (chopped coarsely)
- ½ onion (quartered)
- scraps from turkey dinner prep: carrot peels, celery leaves, etc.
- leftover herbs from turkey dinner prep
- 10 cups water (or fill to 2 inches below the top of the Instant Pot)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a 6 quart Instant Pot.
- Select manual (high pressure) for 120 minutes.
- Allow pressure to naturally release until the pin drops (roughly 60 minutes; you can *carefully* manually release after 20 minutes if you are in a time crunch).
- Pour through a colander, collecting the bone broth in a large bowl or a jar. Toss all solids in the compost.
Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
