Instant Pot Turkey Stock: The Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Leftovers

This simple Instant Pot recipe for homemade turkey bone broth can be used to make Turkey Stock from a leftover turkey carcass. A delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers or turkey from Christmas dinner!.

If you have leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey, you should bookmark this Instant Pot turkey stock recipe so you can make turkey carcass soup. It’s a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers or leftovers from any holiday dinner!.

I have been making this Instant Pot recipe for years, and it’s much faster than using the stove or slow cooker. I used to make turkey soup from the leftover turkey carcass in a large stock pot on the stove, but making turkey bone broth from a leftover turkey carcass in the electric pressure cooker is a game changer!

To clarify, this turkey bone broth recipe is actually for turkey stock, or turkey bone broth. After you make the stock, you can use it as the foundation for turkey soup. I found a great explanation for you on the differences between bone broth, stock, and soup. I have an Instant Pot turkey soup recipe you’ll love!.

I’m one of those people who would rather munch on cold turkey at dinner, so save that leftover turkey meat and carcass—including the turkey neck—after the turkey dinner. Just remove as much meat as you can and save the turkey meat for leftovers or late-night munchies!

You only need a few simple ingredients for this homemade bone broth recipe. You can find them in most grocery stores or online.

An electric pressure cooker is also required; I use my 8-quart Instant Pot, which allows me to fit a larger carcass from as much as an 18-pound turkey.

Make the most of your Thanksgiving feast with this easy Instant Pot Turkey Stock recipe! This delicious and flavorful stock is perfect for making soups, stews, and sauces, and it’s a great way to use up leftover turkey bones.

Plus, it’s super easy to make in your Instant Pot! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a delicious stock in no time

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Leftover turkey carcass
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Celery stalks
  • Optional: Parsley, bay leaves, fresh herbs, fresh vegetables

Instructions:

  1. Remove most of the meat from the turkey carcass. You can save the meat for later or use it in another recipe.
  2. Place the trivet into the Instant Pot.
  3. Place the turkey bones on the trivet.
  4. Add the water, salt, pepper, and celery stalks to the Instant Pot.
  5. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
  6. Allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release.
  7. Do a quick release to release the remaining pressure.
  8. Remove the lid and carefully lift the trivet out of the Instant Pot.
  9. Place a large mesh strainer over a large bowl and carefully pour the stock into the bowl.
  10. Allow the stock to cool down for a bit at room temperature.
  11. Refrigerate or freeze the stock.

Tips:

  • You can use the carcass from any size turkey as long as it will fit in your Instant Pot.
  • If you have a roasted turkey neck and wings, add them to the pot as well.
  • You don’t have to completely cover the carcass with water.
  • You can add more flavor to your stock by adding fresh parsley, bay leaves, or other fresh herbs and vegetables.
  • Once the stock has cooled, you can skim off the layer of fat.
  • The stock will last up to five days in the refrigerator or three months in the freezer.

Here are some ideas for using your Instant Pot Turkey Stock:

  • Make turkey soup
  • Make gravy
  • Add it to stuffing
  • Use it in risotto
  • Use it in sauces

With this easy recipe, you can easily turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious and versatile stock that you can enjoy all year long!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze a turkey carcass for soup?

Yes, you can freeze a turkey carcass for soup. Just put the bones into a freezer bag and toss it into the freezer until you’re ready to use them.

Can you overcook stock in a pressure cooker?

Only if you cook the carcass for hours. 1 hour of pressure cooking is enough time to make homemade turkey stock that is collagen-rich and very flavorful.

What is the difference between stock and broth?

Stock is made by simmering bones in water for a long time, while broth is made by simmering meat in water for a shorter time. Stock is typically more flavorful and has a higher collagen content than broth.

Additional Resources

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

How to Use Turkey Stock

Use the stock to make turkey soup in the pressure cooker or stove top turkey soup. Any recipe calling for chicken broth or turkey broth, such as leftover stuffing casserole or turkey noodle casserole, can be made with the stock.

Yes, you can store the bones in the freezer until you’re ready to use them by placing them in a freezer bag and freezing it if you don’t have time to make stock right away.

Only if you cook the carcass for hours. To make a flavorful and collagen-rich homemade turkey stock, just one hour of pressure cooking is required.

How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Bone Broth from Leftover Turkey Carcass

To begin making this Instant Pot bone broth recipe, remove as much or most of the meat from the carcass as you can. Then, place the trivet into the electric pressure cooker. Place the turkey bones on the trivet.

Next, incorporate the cold water, salt, pepper, and a few celery stalks, complete with leaves, for flavor. Add water up to the max fill line. There’s no need to fully cover the bones with water.

You can add some fresh parsley or bay leaves to the stock for extra flavor, but when you make turkey noodle soup, you can always add more seasoning, fresh herbs, and fresh vegetables.

Cook the turkey carcass in the Instant Pot for 60 minutes on high pressure. This is long enough to get all those amazing nutrients from the bones.

When the pot beeps, allow for a 10 minute natural pressure release — at the minimum. Then do a quick release to release pressure fully.

You can let it go and do a full natural release, which takes around 30 minutes or longer.

When the pressure is fully released, remove the lid. Next, remove the trivet and the carcass from the pressure cooker and place it in a big bowl or sink using a hot mitt. It’s very hot, so don’t dump it into the trash bag yet.

Place a large mesh strainer over a large mixing bowl, and carefully pour the stock into the bowl. Any leftover turkey bones and other items you don’t want to include in your delectable stock will be captured by the strainer.

Allow the stock to cool down for a little bit at room temperature. Then, you can refrigerate the stock or freeze it. The easiest way to remove fat from turkey stock is after it solidifies in the refrigerator.

Homemade turkey stock can be kept for up to five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container, mason jars, or several small containers.

After some time in the refrigerator, it becomes pure turkey jelly—exactly what you want for bone broth. This is liquid gold, but my kids are a little grossed out by the turkey jelly. You can now skim the layer of fat off!

And the flavor is perfect!

To freeze the Instant Pot bone broth, place in a ziplock bag, ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers. I like to use freezer bags since you can stack them to save freezer space.

Homemade stock will last up to three months in the freezer, for best taste.

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Turkey Stock

Leave a Comment