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Beef soup bones for broth and stock.

Soup Bones: The Ultimate Guide to Benefits, Uses & Recipes

Chef Julia
Soup bones are essential for making **rich, flavorful broths and stocks** packed with **collagen, gelatin, and minerals**. Learn how to choose, prepare, and cook soup bones to create nourishing soups, bone broths, and pet-safe treats.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Simmering Time12 12 hours
Total Time 1 day 10 minutes
Course broth, Soup, stock
Servings 8 cups of bone broth
Calories 50 kcal

Equipment

  • - Large stockpot (8+ quarts)
  • - Slow cooker or Instant Pot
  • - Baking sheet (for roasting bones)
  • - Tongs
  • - Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
  • - Large ladle
  • - Glass jars or containers (for storage)

Ingredients
  

  • - 2–3 lbs soup bones beef, chicken, pork, or fish
  • - 10 cups filtered water
  • - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • - 1 onion quartered
  • - 2 carrots chopped
  • - 2 celery stalks chopped
  • - 4 cloves garlic smashed
  • - 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • - 1 bay leaf
  • - Fresh herbs parsley, thyme, rosemary
  • - Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • #### **Step 1: Prepare the Bones**
  • If using beef or pork bones, **roast them at 400°F (200°C) for 30-45 minutes** for enhanced flavor.
  • If using chicken or fish bones, proceed without roasting.
  • #### **Step 2: Simmer the Broth**
  • Place soup bones in a **large stockpot** or **slow cooker**.
  • Cover with **filtered water** and add **apple cider vinegar**.
  • Let sit for **30 minutes** before heating to extract minerals.
  • Bring to a **boil**, then reduce heat to **low** and simmer for **12-24 hours**.
  • Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.
  • #### **Step 3: Add Vegetables & Herbs**
  • During the last **4-6 hours**, add **onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and spices**.
  • Stir occasionally to enhance the broth's flavor.
  • #### **Step 4: Strain & Store**
  • Remove bones and strain broth through a **fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth**.
  • Let cool, then store in **glass jars** or **freeze in portions**.

Notes

- For a **richer flavor**, roast beef and pork bones before simmering.
- Adding **apple cider vinegar** helps extract more **collagen and minerals**.
- **Freeze broth in silicone molds** for easy portioning.
- **Refrigerate for up to 5 days** or **freeze for up to 6 months**.
Keyword Bone Broth, Homemade Stock, Soup Bones