A Busy Mom’s Guide to Easy Bone Broth

If you’re new to the whole homesteading thing (or you’re a “hometreader” like me!) and just don’t know where to get started, I’ve got a spot for you at my dinner table. Maybe you’re juggling work, home, husband, babies or you’re simply exhausted from life and looking to get back into a healthy routine. I’m right there with you!

Start with One Small Change

My boss is always saying, “Let’s not boil the ocean.” (Love her for that!)

In other words, how do we do all the things? We don’t. And that’s okay. Instead, we focus on making ONE small change, something manageable that can have a big impact on our health and well-being.

For me, that one small thing was bone broth.

Why Bone Broth?

Before marriage and kids, I read a book on nutrition that dove deep into the science of food. I always hear “food is fuel” and it is — but it’s also “information to your cells.” That concept blew my mind. I can change my cells with the foods I eat? Or even change future generations via epigenetics? And if I could have an extra boost in energy along the way, I’ll try anything.

Enter bone broth: packed with collagen, protein and minerals.

Bone broth intrigued me, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Where do you even find bones? How’s much will that cost? What do you do with the broth once it’s made? Or how do I find quality store-bought, organic bone broth that isn’t so expensive?

It turns out, making bone broth is so easy it already fits seamlessly into my busy family routine. All it takes is one simple purchase:

The Magic of Rotisserie Chicken

Guys: grocery store rotisserie chicken is pure magic. It powers so many meals for us straight out of the bag. Add some minimal effort with the spirit of reduced waste and sustainability — baby, you got a bone broth going!

Here’s how I do it:

Buy a Rotisserie Chicken:

Pick one up from your local grocery store (even Walmart sells them). For an advanced option, you can roast or smoke your own chicken.

Strip the Meat:

Remove the meat from the chicken (save it for other meals- wraps, salads, sandwiches — we freeze ours). Take the skin, tendons, and juices — these all go into the broth.

Make the Broth:

Toss the chicken scraps into a Crock Pot or Instant Pot with a bag of frozen veggies. Add your favorite spices and herbs (I’ll share my favorites below), and voila! You’ve got a bone broth going.

OK, but how do I use bone broth?

I was skeptical, too. If a recipe calls for chicken stock, that recipe is probably above my cooking skillset or energy level anyway, right? Bone broth is a nourishing and flavorful base for soups, stews, or even sipping on its own. I’ve found so many uses — including:

Drinking it Straight

Gross? Maybe unconventional but yummy all the same. I lost a ton of hair postpartum and a little warmed up juice glass is one of the ways I’m incorporating collagen and protein into my diet.

Use it for added seasoning

Making rice? Cooking veggies? Boiling potatoes? Substitute water for bone broth. This totally upped my flavor game. When I’m simmering some asparagus, I toss a little broth to help the veggies steam up on the stove. Tender and flavorful.

Substitute chicken stock

I don’t but chicken stock anymore. Add that to my cost savings list. I was buying rotisserie chicken anyway- buy one, get chicken stock free (ish). And a whole lot more of it with the peace of mind you know what’s in it, too. For the most part unless you raise your own chickens but … hometreaders are beginner territory.

Freeze for later

You can pour it in ziploc bags and lay flat to freeze (or, here’s a great use for those leftover breast milk storage baggies!) or use an ice cube tray. I’ll pop a frozen bone broth cube out for that skillet of veggies and good to go.

Easy Bone Broth Recipe (Using Instant Pot or Crock Pot)

Here’s my recipe using leftover rotisserie chicken bones and frozen veggies.

Ingredients

• Bones from one rotisserie chicken

• 1 package of frozen mixed vegetables (I do carrots, peas, green beans and corn)

• Sprig of rosemary (from our garden)

• 1 onion quartered

• 8 cups of water (or enough to cover the bones and veggies)

• 2–3 cloves garlic (optional)

• 1–2 bay leaves

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (helps extract nutrients from the bones)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Other Aromatic Veggies and Herbs You Can Use in Bone Broth

You can add whatever you want — many recipes call for aromatic herbs and veggies, like celery. I’m not not a big fan of the celery flavor in my broth. Different additions change the flavor and nutritional profile of your broth, apparently. But here are some other ideas you might want to try based on what’s already in your kitchen or what you prefer:

Aromatic Vegetables

• Leeks

• Parsnips

• Turnips

• Fennel

• Mushrooms

• Tomatoes

Herbs

• Thyme

• Sage

• Oregano

• Cilantro

Instructions

Instant Pot Method

• Prepare the Ingredients: Place the chicken bones, frozen vegetables, garlic, bay leaves, and apple cider vinegar in the Instant Pot.

• Add Water: Pour in enough water to cover the bones and vegetables, up to the “Max” line.

• Cook the Broth: Close the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select the “manual/high pressure “ setting and set the timer for 60 minutes (2 hours). Let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes before opening.

  • Note: I like to make mine at night and let it sit overnight on “keep warm” for a thicker, more gelatinous broth.

• Strain and Store: Strain the broth, discard the solids, and store the broth in airtight containers.

Crock Pot Method

• Prepare the Ingredients: Place the chicken bones, frozen vegetables, garlic, bay leaves, and apple cider vinegar in the Crock Pot.

• Add Water: Pour in enough water to cover the bones and vegetables.

• Cook the Broth: Set to “Low” for 12–24 hours or “High” for 6–8 hours.

• Strain and Store: Strain the broth, discard the solids, and store in airtight containers.

Notes

• Skim the Fat: After refrigerating, you can skim off the solidified fat for a clearer broth.

• Gelatinous Goodness: A longer cook time means more gelatin, which is a sign of a nutrient-rich broth. The first time I made broth, it was practically a jelly but boy was it good!

Bone Broth: The Superfood I Never Knew I Needed

This bone broth recipe has been a game-changer for me. I use it as a seasoning when cooking veggies, as a base for soups, or in crockpot recipes. You can even freeze it in flat bags or ice cube trays for later use.

What If You’re Vegan or Vegetarian?

Bone broth might not be your thing, but why not try making vegetable broth using a similar method? It could be just as delicious and packed with minerals — without the meat. I’d suggest lowering the cook time and maybe add your favorite supplements.