When you make a big holiday meal, you can usually count on leftovers. At least I hope so, it’s practically my favorite part!
The turkey alone can have enough leftover meat for several meals. But it’s more than just the meat. The carcass is a fabulous starting point to make your own bone broth in the Instant Pot.
You can freeze the broth and use it for soups and other meals all winter long – the ultimate all-purpose leftover!
Follow these simple instructions and you’ll be a bone broth expert in no time.
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Why I Love this Recipe
There’s something about truly using every part of a bird. It really is a great exercise in frugality, and it gives an appreciation for all the ways we cook and eat our food.
I’ve become picky about the quality of turkey I purchase for holiday meals. I swear I can taste the chemicals in some of those cheap “deals” you see this time of year.
I look for organic and/or pasture raised birds, just as I do when I buy eggs. It does cost a little more, but I get so many meals out of it, so it’s well worth it to me! Using it to make broth ensures you are maximizing all the nutrition you can from one holiday meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Turkey carcass (about half a carcass per batch)
- Carrot
- Celery
- Onion
- Bay leaves
- Fresh herbs (I like parsley)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water
How to make Turkey Bone Broth in your Instant Pot
Instant Pot vs Slow Cooker
I used to make bone broth in my slow cooker. And slow was definitely the word – it took 36 hours of slow cooking to extract the nutrients from the bones.
My slow cooker died, and I haven’t replaced it. So I challenged myself to make my turkey bone broth using the Instant Pot.
The advantage is significant: all the cooking is done in a day, rather than devoting the whole weekend to broth production. And the Instant Pot produces delicious and nutritious bone broth, just like the slow cooker.
Making the broth
You’ll need about 3 to 4 pounds of turkey bones. Most turkeys will have enough bones to make 2 batches of broth. The fact that the bones have already roasted is not a problem; there’s still plenty of nutrition to extract!
I also include the neck - this is usually found inside the uncooked bird. Just remove and refrigerate, or freeze if you think it'll be a while before you make the broth.
Simply place the bones in the Instant Pot with some simple ingredients: carrot, celery, and onion will add additional nutrients and flavor. I also season with salt and a few peppercorns, plus bay leaves and preferably some fresh herbs like parsley.
A splash of apple cider vinegar is what helps to really extract the collagen from those bones. Don’t worry, you won’t taste it in the final broth.
Now, fill the Instant Pot with water to just below the maximum fill line. Close and seal, and set the cycle to cook for 2 hours (120 minutes) on high pressure.
Let the Instant Pot complete it’s cooking cycle, then allow it to vent naturally for at least 30 minutes.
Strain and Store the Broth
Let the broth cool some, then you’ll need to strain the broth from the solids. I have found cheesecloth to work the best for this. Simply line a colander with a couple layers of cheesecloth and pour the broth through it. You’ll need a really big bowl (or multiple bowls) to collect the broth.
Once all the broth is strained, you can grab that cheesecloth, remove the big bones, and give it a good squeeze to extract the rest of the liquid.
Pour your broth into freezer-safe containers, label and freeze.
Many people like to use glass Mason jars to store their broth. I’ve had a few disasters with that approach, so I use plastic. If you really want to use glass, be sure to under-fill the jars so the liquid has room for expansion.
Also, wide-mouth jars are better. When you have a jar with a narrow top, the spot where the jar gets smaller can be a problem for the expanding liquid, causing the jar to break. I say this from personal experience.
I also sometimes half-fill the jars and freeze them, then add the rest of the liquid. But honestly, if you just under-fill the jars it’s probably the best approach.
You'll know you have good bone broth if, once cold, it is slightly gelatinous. Think of the gelatinous texture as the collagen that will be loved by your skin, hair, and joints.
Uses for your turkey bone broth
Soups, stew and delicious meals are all made better with bone broth! Some people like to simply sip a cup of warm broth to enjoy its many health benefits. Either way, your body will thank you for the additional vitamin and collagen infusion you are providing with every sip (or bite).
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Turkey Bone Broth
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds Turkey bones about one half a carcass
- 10-12 cups water
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery ribs
- 1 onion peeled and quartered
- 2 TB apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 peppercorns
- Parsley or other fresh herbs – optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in an Instant Pot. Seal and set cook cycle to 2 hours, on high pressure. When cycle is finished, let the Instant Pot natural release pressure for at least 30 minutes.3-4 pounds Turkey bones, 10-12 cups water, 2-3 bay leaves, 2 carrots, 2 celery ribs, 1 onion, 2 TB apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2-3 peppercorns, Parsley or other fresh herbs – optional
- Allow to cool slightly, then separate broth from solids.
- Place in freezer-safe containers and freeze for future use.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
CP
How long can the broth be stored once frozen?
Sula
The broth is good frozen for up to 12 months.
Jude
This is awesome! Still have Turkey meat left from previous occasion so I cooked it using this recipe cause no one at home is really giving it any attention. The recipe is awesome and perfect for dinner and cold weather. Thanks!
Sula
I'm so glad you were able to re-purpose that turkey rather than have it go to waste! The broth is so useful to have on hand!
Nancy
Perfect bone broth at home. It’s a great way to use up turkey carcasses too! The lean meat is awesome
Sula
I agree, it's the perfect way to use that carcass!