How To Make Your Own Bone Broth

Bone Broth is the “new” 1,000-year-old trend and for good reason. It’s been used by cultures all over the world, for centuries, to nourish, heal, and support the body. It’s rich in nutrients, minerals, amino acids, and is one of the best sources of whole-food collagen protein, which helps to repair the mucosal lining of the gut, and, as we like to say: 

Heal the gut, heal your life.

The benefits of bone broth include everything from strengthening the immune system to healing digestion, supporting brain function, promoting healthy bones and joints, and helping you grow shiny hair, strong nails, and get back (or keep) that baby-face skin of your 20s!      

You can drink bone broth straight (it’s delicious), but you can also use it as a replacement for plain water any time you cook.

My Healing Bone Broth Recipe 

This is the recipe that I created in 2001, to treat my son Blake’s chronic illness, and the one that we prepared for clients in my private nutrition practice when they didn’t want to make their own. It is a traditional chicken bone broth recipe optimized for healing.  

AIP, Paleo, & Whole30 Approved

Each ingredient serves a specific purpose. The apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and parsley help draw minerals out of the bones and I did not include any vegetables or spices that could upset sensitive digestive systems. Finally, we obsessively tested different kinds of bones as well as length of cooking time and found 18-24 hours to be optimal for chicken.

Sharon’s Pro Tip: Chicken feet are particularly rich in collagen. If you really want to increase the gelatin in your bone broth, add 2-4 feet, which you can usually find at Asian grocery stores.

We suggest making a batch and then storing it in freezer-safe mason jars. This is the way bone broth is traditionally stored. If you don’t have time to make your own bone broth, you can buy our frozen bone broth – it follows the same recipe. Find us in the freezer section of your local grocery store or right here on our site.

How to Make Your Own Bone Broth At Home

Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 to 3 lbs pasture-raised chicken bones such as necks, backs, breast bones and wings
  • 2 to 4 chicken feet (optional, but this makes the broth extra gelatinous)
  • 16 cups cold filtered water
  • 2 Tbsp organic apple cider vinegar
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, whole
  • Sea salt to taste, we recommend Selina Naturally Celtic Sea Salt
  • 1 bunch organic fresh parsley

     Instructions: 

    • Place all ingredients except for the parsley in a large stockpot and bring to a boil.
    • Skim and discard the top layer after boiling.
    • Reduce to a simmer and continue simmering for a minimum of 18 hours (adding water if necessary).
    • During the last hour of cooking, add fresh parsley – this helps pull additional minerals from the bones.
    • Once done, strain the broth and serve or freeze for later use. 

    Sharon’s Pro Tip: Ingredients matter.

    The quality of the bones that you use in your bone broth will impact nutrient content. If you buy bones from animals that have not been raised on pasture or eaten their natural diet of grass and bugs, their bones won’t have as many nutrients.

    At Bonafide Provisions, we only use organic bones from animals that have been raised on pasture, as well as organic vegetables and herbs in our bone broth.

    I hope this recipe brings you the health and happiness that it has brought my family, my clients, and me for so many years.

    In wellness,

    Sharon, CN, NTP, CGP.  

    Ready to start making your own? You can find even more recipes for ways to use bone broth here.

    About Us

    This recipe was created by our founders, Sharon & Reb Brown. Sharon is a Clinical Nutritionist, and certified GAPS practitioner. Reb is a professionally trained chef. Sharon first discovered the healing power of bone broth when she used it to treat her son’s chronic illness. Bone broth became a cornerstone of her private nutrition practice, but, unfortunately, many of her clients didn’t have the time or resources to make their own broth. When Sharon couldn’t find a bone broth on the market to recommend to her clients, she convinced Reb to make a recipe using ingredients that she carefully chose and a preparation method that she could stand behind. Today, Bonafide Provisions makes obsessively crafted organic bone broths and soups that you can find in the freezer aisle of your local grocery store, or, right here on our site.

    6 comments

    Do you also roast the bones first?

    Brit September 01, 2020

    I learnt a lot on your recent interview with Brad Kearns. Currently got lamb bones on the slow cooker, trying 20 hours instead of the lazy 2 hours in the instant pot. Thank you.

    Aston February 17, 2020

    Hi, how long can I freeze the broth? how often should I drink it? Thank you!

    PAOLA J NORIEGA July 22, 2019

    Hello,
    I was wondering if this recipe can be adapted for the crockpot? If so, will the quality and nutrients be the same?
    Thank you,
    Michelle

    Michelle Wonders July 22, 2019

    Thanks so much for caring to the extent of sharing your bone broth recipe — even in the face of profit reduction.
    Respect you for that decision.

    Barbara 🤗

    Barbara Carlson March 11, 2019

    I just wanted to say thank you. Your delicious broth has healed my arthritic knees. I’ve made bone broth before, but I prefer to purchase your broth instead.

    I don’t eat chicken, beef or turkey, but I do enjoy your delicious Chicken Bone Broth.

    Every single morning, I wake up and make my delicious green soup with Bonafide Chicken Broth. I pull out whatever is green in my fridge and prepare to make my broth. My morning broth is my medicine and I’m always sharing my healing story with family and friends. Again, thank you for making the perfect broth. Forever fan.

    Betsy March 11, 2019

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    “I started drinking bone broth a few years back when I was desperate to get my health back in order. It’s now a staple in our home… On the weeks where I am feeling a little less inclined to make my own, I really enjoy @bonafideprovisions.”

    — Krista Happ @KristaHapp