When roasting a turkey for the holidays, or really any time of the year, don’t throw away those bones—they can be “upcycled” into a flavorful and easy turkey stock that you can use right away or freeze for later.
(This turkey stock recipe could also work for chicken bones, beef bones, and probably pork bones as well. The basic concept is the same, and the freezing method is exactly the same as well. ).
Many health benefits are thought to come with bone broth, which tastes even better when made at home with organic ingredients and non-plastic cooking utensils. Animal parts that would otherwise end up in the trash can be recycled, which is a great way to preserve the elasticity and density of your skin.
By making your own broth, you can also cut down on the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and save money by not having to buy canned or boxed broth from the store.
Making turkey stock is a fantastic way to reduce food waste and create a delicious base for soups, stews, and sauces This guide will walk you through the process of making and freezing turkey stock, incorporating insights from two reliable sources:
- How to Make Homemade Turkey Stock by Brown Eyed Baker
- How To Make And Freeze Turkey Stock From Turkey Bones by Eco-Friendly Mama
Ingredients:
- Turkey carcass and bones
- Water
- Vegetables (optional): onion, carrot, celery
- Aromatics (optional): bay leaf, peppercorns, parsley, thyme
- Salt (optional)
Instructions:
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How to Prepare the Turkey Carcass: Trim the turkey carcass of any extra meat or skin. You can use this meat for other dishes or discard it.
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Put the Carcass in a Pot: Place the bones and carcass of the turkey in a large stockpot and add enough water to cover them by at least five quarts, or at least one inch.
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Bring to a Boil: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim off any fat or foam that rises to the surface.
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Add Vegetables and Aromatics (Optional): Feel free to add chopped parsley, bay leaf, peppercorns, onion, and celery to the pot along with other optional ingredients.
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Reduce Heat and Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the stock for 2-4 hours, uncovered. The longer you simmer, the more flavorful the stock will be.
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Strain the Stock: Pour the stock into a large bowl through a fine-mesh sieve and discard all of the solids.
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Chill and Skim Fat: Allow the stock to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it overnight. The next day, skim off the layer of fat that has collected on the top.
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Divide and Freeze: Divide the stock into zip-lock bags or freezer-safe containers, and keep them there for up to six months.
Tips:
- For an even more flavorful stock, roast the turkey bones in the oven before adding them to the pot.
- You can use leftover vegetables from your Thanksgiving meal to add to the stock.
- If you don’t have time to simmer the stock for a long time, you can use a pressure cooker to speed up the process.
- To reheat frozen turkey stock, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or heat it gently in a saucepan over low heat.
Additional Resources:
- How to Make Turkey Stock (Without a Turkey!) by The Spruce Eats
- Turkey Stock Recipe by Allrecipes
- How to Make Turkey Stock in a Slow Cooker by The Pioneer Woman
Making turkey stock is a simple and rewarding process that can be easily incorporated into your Thanksgiving routine. By following these steps, you can create a delicious and versatile stock that will enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes. Remember to use fresh ingredients, simmer the stock for an extended period, and store it properly to ensure its quality.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use turkey stock in place of chicken stock?
Yes, turkey stock can be used as a substitute for chicken stock in most recipes.
- How long does turkey stock last in the freezer?
Turkey stock can be frozen for up to 6 months.
- Can I use frozen turkey stock in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can use frozen turkey stock in a slow cooker. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or heat it gently in a saucepan before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Can I make turkey stock with a rotisserie chicken carcass?
Yes, you can make turkey stock with a rotisserie chicken carcass. Just follow the same instructions as for making turkey stock with a turkey carcass.
Additional Resources:
- The National Turkey Federation
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Step #2: Add cut vegetables to the pot
Chopped up any leftover vegetables in your refrigerator that you didn’t use for your meal, or add more veggies if you’d like! If you have any frozen vegetable ends from making your holiday meal, add them to the pot! (See? I did say this was a super low-pro recipe!).
I used the following, all of which was excess from what had been needed for the stuffing:
- 1 onion – peeled and cut into 4 sections
- Chop the remaining half of the celery stalk into pieces that are about 3 inches long.
- Carrots – cut into 3ish inch pieces
- sliced stems of kale, about 3 inches long (you get the idea now)
Step #3: Cover with water
I tried to measure out how much water I used and it was at least 8 cups. Basically I just tried to make sure the ingredients were covered.