Bone Broth Recipe: How To Make Rich, Collagen-Filled Bone Broth At Home

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Warm, nourishing, and packed with flavor, this bone broth recipe is a comforting staple in many American kitchens — and for good reason. Made by slowly simmering nutrient-rich bones with simple vegetables and herbs, homemade bone broth delivers deep flavor along with natural collagen and minerals you won’t find in store-bought cartons. Whether you sip it straight from a mug, use it as a base for soups, or cook rice and grains with it, this easy bone broth recipe fits perfectly into busy USA lifestyles while still honoring traditional, slow-cooked goodness.

Bone broth recipe ingredients including beef bones, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and herbs on a wooden table

What Is Bone Broth – and Why It Matters

A bone broth recipe refers to a nutrient-dense, collagen-rich liquid made by slowly simmering bones (beef, chicken, turkey, pork, etc.) along with water, aromatic vegetables, herbs, and sometimes vinegar — until all the marrow, minerals, and connective-tissue goodness infuse the liquid.

Unlike ordinary broth or stock, bone broth stands out because it’s simmered much longer — often 8–24 hours — which helps release gelatin, collagen precursors, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients from marrow and connective tissues.

Because of this longer cook time, proper bone broth often becomes gelatinous when cooled — a sign of good collagen and nutrient content.

Why You Should Try This Bone Broth Recipe

As per nutrition experts and recent studies, a well-made bone broth may offer several health benefits:

Gut health & digestion: Bone broth contains gelatin and amino acids (like glutamine) that may support the gut lining and help maintain healthy digestion.
Joint support & bone strength: The collagen and minerals (like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus) in bone broth may support cartilage, joints, bones — offering potential relief from joint discomfort.
Skin, muscle & tissue benefits: Collagen — converted into gelatin during cooking — plus amino acids and protein may help support skin elasticity, muscle maintenance, and overall tissue repair.
Hydration & mineral intake: Bone broth can provide electrolytes like potassium, sodium, magnesium — which aid in hydration and muscle/nerve function. Cleveland Clinic
Comfort, warmth, and versatility: Beyond health benefits — bone broth is comforting, warming, and can serve as a base for soups, stews, rice, sauces — adding flavor and depth to your meals.

That said — while bone broth is nutritious and wholesome, experts caution that it’s not a magic cure-all. The exact nutritional benefit depends heavily on the quality of bones used, cooking time, and how it fits within an overall balanced diet.

How to Make This Bone Broth Recipe: Step-by-Step

Here’s a straightforward yet thorough recipe (adapted from The Forked Spoon) to help you make nourishing bone broth at home.

✅ Bone Broth Recipe – Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity	Purpose
Beef Bones (marrow, knuckle, oxtail or joints)	8–10 lbs	Main source of collagen, gelatin & minerals
Carrots (chopped)	3–4 medium	Adds natural sweetness & nutrients
Onions (quartered)	2 large	Builds deep savory flavor
Celery Stalks (chopped)	4–6	Enhances aroma & balance
Garlic (halved)	1–2 whole heads	Boosts flavor & immunity benefits
Bay Leaves	2–3	Adds subtle earthy flavor
Whole Black Peppercorns	1–2 tsp	Mild spice & taste enhancement
Apple Cider Vinegar	2 tbsp	Helps extract collagen & minerals from bones
Water (filtered)	Enough to cover bones	Base liquid for broth
Salt (optional)	To taste	Season after cooking

~10 lbs beef bones — a mix of marrow bones (femur) and meaty bones (oxtail, short ribs, knucklebones / joints)
4 large carrots (chopped)
2 medium onions (quartered)
2 heads garlic (halved)
6 stalks celery (cut into pieces)
Whole bay leaves, peppercorns, optional spices (e.g. star anise, cinnamon) for flavor.
A splash of apple-cider or white vinegar — helps draw out collagen/minerals from bones.
Water (enough to fully cover bones + vegetables)

🔥 Method (Stovetop / Slow-Cooker / Instant Pot)

Blanch the bones — briefly boil bones 10–15 mins in cold water, drain and rinse. This removes impurities and helps achieve a clearer broth.
Roast bones & vegetables (optional but recommended) — spread bones + veggies on a baking tray, roast at high heat until browned. This step enhances flavor dramatically.
Combine & simmer — return bones and veggies to clean stockpots (or slow-cooker), add water, vinegar, herbs/spices. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer on low with lid slightly ajar. For optimal nutrition and gelatin extraction, simmer for 8–24 hours.
Strain — once cooking is done, strain out solids using a fine-mesh strainer (for clearer broth, pass through cheesecloth). Discard bones & veggies (or reuse veggies/meat as desired).
Cool & store — once cooled, refrigerate; broth lasts ~4–6 days refrigerated or freeze for up to 6 months.
Use or drink — enjoy a warm cup of bone broth on its own, or use it as a base for soups, stews, sauces, cooking grains/rice, or adding extra flavor to dishes.

Pro tips

Use a mix of bone types — marrow bones for richness, meaty bones (ribs, joints) for flavor & nutrients.
Simmer low and slow — longer simmering extracts more collagen, gelatin, amino acids, and minerals.
Keep added ingredients simple — too many spices/veggies can mask the pure bone-broth flavor. The Forked Spoon
Adjust salt after cooking — avoid over-salting initially, then season to taste when serving.

Conclusion: Why This Bone Broth Recipe Is Worth Trying

A good bone broth recipe — done right — delivers a comforting, flavor-rich liquid that nourishes your body with collagen, amino acids, minerals, and hydration. Whether you sip it warm by itself or use it as the base for soups, stews or cooking grains, it’s a versatile addition to the home kitchen.

For many, bone broth is more than just a recipe — it’s a kitchen ritual that ties together nourishment, flavor, and well-being. And if you care about joint health, gut wellness, or simply want a warm, nourishing drink on a cold evening — this bone broth recipe is definitely worth making.

Give the recipe a try — and if you do, share your experience! I’d love to hear how it turned out or how you used it in your cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is bone broth the same as regular stock or broth?

Not quite. While stock, broth, and bone broth are all similar, bone broth stands apart because of the long simmer time and use of marrow-rich, collagen-heavy bones — yielding a thicker, gelatinous, more nutrient-dense liquid.

How much bone broth can I drink per day?

If you’re using bone broth as a nutritious addition to a balanced diet (not a meal replacement), many recommend 2–4 cups per day. But — this depends on your diet, health goals, and nutritional needs.

Is bone broth good for everyone?

Bone broth can be a great supplement for many — especially those seeking extra protein, minerals, joints/skin support, or gut wellness. But it’s not suitable for vegetarians/vegans, and it shouldn’t replace regular meals. Also, nutritional benefits vary depending on bone quality, cooking time, and overall dietary habits.

Will bone broth “cure” health problems?

No magic cure here. While bone broth is nutritious and may support general wellness (gut health, joint comfort, skin, etc.), scientific evidence is still evolving. It should complement — not replace — a healthy, balanced diet.