The Benefits of Making Bone Broth

There’s been a lot of buzz in the blogosphere and on social media about bone broth for the past several years. It seems that something our great grandparents used to do all the time, make and consume bone broth, became in vogue again. Perhaps this is due to the popularity of the Weston A. Price diet or the Nourishing Traditions cookbook. Regardless of why, there is good reason why so many tout the benefits of bone broth these days. If you haven’t tried making your own yet, grab some leftover chicken bones and a pot and get to work. Your taste buds, wallet and your health will thank you.

Bone Broth is Healing

Bone broth has a lot of health benefits. There’s a reason grandma would put on a pot of homemade chicken soup when someone got sick. There is a reason that broth is a staple in virtually all ancestral diets. Bone broth is full of amino acids and minerals including magnesium and calcium. The fat content in the broth helps our bodies absorb the various minerals. It’s also full of collagen and gelatin which are good for your skin, hair and joints. It can help with leaky gut syndrome and with related food intolerances and allergies. Add to that the immunity boosting properties of a good cup of broth and it’s no wonder this has been praised for centuries.

Bone Broth is Delicious

Forget all the nutrition and benefits to your immune system, joints, bones, and skin. Homemade broth or stock also tastes really good. Bone broth in particular has a deep rich flavor that you just won’t get out of a carton of chicken stock, which actually isn’t real bone broth anyways.

Drink the broth on its own, or use it as the base for soups, stews and sauces. You can use bone broth in any recipe that calls for broth or stock. Or try simmering your rice or vegetables in the broth for added flavor and nutrition.

Bone Broth is Frugal

Bone broth is made from the bones you’d toss in the trash otherwise and water. And not just bones either, many use the skin, feet, tendons and ligaments that you usually won’t eat directly. All those leftover “parts” can be used. It doesn’t get a lot more frugal than that! For no more than the cost of a little power to boil the bones, you have something that’s just as tasty as or better than high-end stock you buy at the store and it is a million times healthier to boot. We all want healthy foods at low prices right??

If you’re buying quality chicken, turkey or beef, you can make the most of every dollar you spend by utilizing every little bit including the bones. Then take it even further by making soups and stews with the broth. It’s a great way to make even little bits of meat and veggies go a long way.

Once you begin to make your own bone broth and you see how easy and cost effective it is, you will be hooked. And once you begin to experience all the health benefits and perks you will wonder why you waited so long. Enjoy!