Slow Cooker Bone Broth

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This slow cooker bone broth is so easy to make with a handful of simple ingredients. It's loaded with flavor and nutrients, making it perfect for sipping on its own or used wherever broth is required, such as soups, stews, or sauces. It's also budget-friendly and freezer-friendly.

Once you give this homemade slow cooker bone broth a try, you're not going to want to buy bone broth again! It's so delicious and you know exactly what's in it. And thanks to the crock pot, this bone broth comes together pretty much on its own! Just set it and forget it!

A mason jar of crockpot bone broth on a wooden serving board.

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What is Bone Broth?
What's the Difference Between Bone Broth and Stock?
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
How To Make Slow Cooker Bone Broth
Recipes Variations
Tips and Notes
Recipe
More Recipes You May Like

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is a savory, nutrient-dense liquid made from simmering bones (beef, chicken, turkey, pork, etc.) and vegetables (celery, carrots, onions, etc.) in water for a long period of time. It's often consumed on its own as a cozy, savory drink or used as a base for soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes.

What's the Difference Between Bone Broth and Stock?

To be honest, the two are almost the same, from my understanding. Bone broth is typically simmered for a longer period of time along with a mix of vegetables, herbs, and spices. The goal of making bone broth is to extract nutrients and minerals from the bones and connective tissues. The longer cooking time breaks down collagen and gelatin from the bones, giving the broth a thicker texture when cooled. Stock can also include aromatics to add to the flavor, but it's usually simmered for 2 to 6 hours to extract the flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

By cooking the bone broth low and slow in the crockpot, you get a nutrient-dense, delicious broth you do not have to keep an eye on. Simply add everything to the slow cooker and let it do its job. The longer you cook the bone broth, the better, and the slow cooker allows for that.
Homemade broth is beyond better than anything you’d find at the store. Not only do you know exactly what the broth contains, you can flavor it however you desire.
Have I said that it's easy? Like super easy. It's a great way to get more out of your leftovers. I usually freeze the bones until I have enough to make bone broth. I also freeze those odds and ends of fresh herbs that I didn't end up getting to, and this broth is the perfect use for them.

Ingredients You'll Need

Ingredients needed to make slow cooker bone broth.

bones — my go-to method to make bone broth is with leftover bones from a whole chicken. Whether it's from roasting my own chicken or picking up a rotisserie chicken at the store. After I’ve cooked the chicken and removed the meat, I freeze the bones until I have time to turn them into bone broth in the crockpot! You can use chicken, beef, turkey, or even pork bones! Check out my air fryer whole chicken or Instant Pot whole chicken if you need more ideas on how to cook a whole chicken.
aromatics — I use celery, carrots, onions, and garlic. I usually do not use "scraps" for bone broth as sometimes scraps are on their last legs and aren't in the best condition. If they're close to going bad, it can be unpalatable and will give your broth a sour or bitter taste. However, if I buy a giant bag of carrots or celery and know I won't use all of them, I'll preemptively freeze a few for broth.
salt & pepper — I don't add too much salt as I prefer to salt as needed afterward, but just a couple of pinches. I also use whole peppercorns, so they can be strained out after cooking.
herbs — I usually use thyme and rosemary.
apple cider vinegar — apple cider vinegar supposedly helps draw the collagen out of the bones.
water — I usually use filtered water.

How To Make Slow Cooker Bone Broth

Set of two photos showing bones, vegetables, and herbs added to a crockpot.

Add the bones, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.

Set of two photos showing water added to the crockpot then the results of being slow cooked.

Add the apple cider vinegar and water to the slow cooker. If you still have space in your slow cooker, you can add additional water so it reaches the top of the slow cooker.
Slow cook on low for at least 12 hours.

Set of two photos showing the slow cooker bone broth strained into a large bowl.

Allow broth to cool slightly, and using a ladle, scoop the broth through a fine mesh strainer into a large pot, bowl, or multiple containers.
Transfer to airtight containers and allow them to cool before refrigerating or transfer them to freezer-friendly containers such as souper cubes and freeze.

Four mason jars of varying sizes containing slow cooker bone broth.

How To Freeze Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

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Recipes Variations

If using raw beef bones, I highly recommend roasting them for 30 to 40 minutes at 450°F ahead of time. Roasting the beef bones helps create a richer flavor and deeper color. Be sure to blanche the beef bones first to remove any scum.
Use your favorite herbs!

Tips and Notes

Store the crockpot bone broth in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze until ready to use!
After straining, you can add a squeeze of lemon to the broth to add a bright flavor.
I usually stop cooking the bone broth after 12 hours or so. It's great as an overnight recipe. I find that if you cook it for even longer (24 hours), the bone broth can taste bitter.
When cold, the bone broth may gel and look jiggly due to the gelatin from the collagen in the bones. That's totally normal! It's actually a great sign that your broth is full of goodness! If your broth didn't gel, it's also totally ok! If you want it to gel, use less water and make sure you've got some connective tissue in the slow cooker, such as chicken feet, whole chicken wings, beef back ribs, and oxtails.
Some vegetables, such as cruciferous ones (broccoli and cauliflower), will make your stock bitter! So keep that in mind while you dig through your fridge to see what you want to use up.
I do not keep the skins on my onion and garlic. I also always peel my carrots.

Overhead view of slow cooker bone broth in mason jars.

Can you reuse the bones in bone broth?

I've reused beef bones before as they're more hearty and can go through a second cook. However, it won't be as flavorful the second time around. Chicken bones, I've not had success in slow cooking twice as most of the goodness has been cooked out after the first run.

What are some ways to use bone broth?

You can enjoy the bone broth on its own! I love warming it up and sipping it in the morning. You can also cook your rice and grains in it, use it to make soups and stews instead of water or stock, gravies, and more!

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