Homemade Beef Bone Broth (From Scraps!)

This weekend we finally pulled the beef bone from our freezer to make some delicious and gut-healing homemade beef bone broth.

If you loved our chicken broth from scraps you will love this homemade beef bone broth recipe!

What Is Beef Bone Broth Good For? The Benefits of Bone Broth

Beef bone broth is a nutrient-rich food that offers several health benefits. It is a great source of collagen, gelatin, and amino acids, which can support gut health, joint health, and even skin health! Bone broth can even boost the immune system, support healthy inflammation levels, and aid in digestion. 

What are the Best Bones to Use?

The best bone to use to make homemade broth is beef marrow bones. The bone marrow is the most nutrient-rich part of the bone. For the best flavor, you can add meaty bones like oxtail, shank, short ribs, and knuckle bones.

The best way to store your bones is in an airtight container such as a ziplock bag in the freezer until you are ready to use.

Save Your Scraps!

In order to keep this beef bone broth recipe as cheap as possible, instead of using full carrots, celery, and onions, try saving your scraps from previous meals. Every time I cut an onion or other vegetables I toss the scraps in a ziplock bag in the freezer to use in our broth recipes. This not only saves money but gives use to all of the pieces of the vegetable. I like to wait until I have at least one large freezer bag so I can make a big batch.

What You Need to Make Homemade Bone Broth

• 1 large marrow beef bone (or other beef bones)
• 4-5 stalks of celery
• 1 large onion
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 3-4 springs of thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Large Stockpot

How to Make Beef Bone Broth

1. In a large stockpot fill it halfway with cold water over high heat
2. Add in the rest of your ingredients and give it a good stir.
3. Once the water starts to boil turn the stove down to a very low simmer
4. Let the pot simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so.
5. Once the broth has turned a deep golden brown remove the bones and vegetable scraps with a slotted spoon.
6. Store the beef broth in an airtight glass container in the fridge or freezer.

How to Freeze Homemade Beef Broth?

Once you have removed the soup bones and vegetable scraps ladle the broth into wide-mouth mason jars or ice cube trays. Let cool before placing in the freezer.

Mason Jar Freezing Method: Use mason jars that have no shoulders and fill them with at least a 1-inch head space. This will help avoid cracking during the freezing process. Label and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Ice Cube Freezing Method: Once the broth has cooled, carefully place the ice cube tray in the freezer for 2-3 hours or until fully frozen. Once frozen, remove the broth cubes from the tray and transfer them to a labeled ziplock bag. Put back in the freezer for up to 6 months,

Can Bone Broth Be Substituted For Beef Broth?

Yes, bone broth can be substituted for beef broth in many recipes! As mentioned, bone broth is often considered a more nutritious and flavorful alternative to regular beef broth. However, because bone broth has a more concentrated flavor, you may need to dilute it with water or reduce the amount used in a recipe to avoid overpowering the other ingredients. Bone broth may have a slightly different texture and consistency than regular beef broth, it is typically thicker and more gelatinous due to the collagen and other nutrients extracted from the bones during the cooking process.

Other Money-Saving Recipes:

• Homemade Chicken Broth From Scraps
• How To Freeze Carrots (To Enjoy All Year Long!)
• How To Freeze Kale From Your Garden
• How To Make Homemade Apple Juice From Apple Scraps