Bone broth is one of nature’s truest superfoods. While dealing with actual bones may be a little off-putting at first, don’t be afraid – bone broth is one of the best things you can do to improve your gut health.
And remember, gut health is the cornerstone of your health and immunity.
Health Benefits of Bone Broth
- Bone broth is packed full of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Here’s to healthy bones without the dairy.
- Bone broth provides gelatin, which facilitates digestion and helps with joint recovery and hair, skin and nail growth.
- Bone broth is full of glutamine, which is essential for small intestine integrity, digestion, exercise recovery, muscle building… (I hope all you athletes out there are picking up what I’m putting down).
- Bone broth contains collagen, which is essential for cell integrity and healing. Some say this even helps reduce the appearance of cellulite!
- Bone broth heals and in turn, improves nutrient absorption. While everyone will benefit from adding bone broth, it is absolutely essential for those with leaky gut, celiac disease, Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune conditions.
The Added Bonus
Homemade bone broth is a great alternative to expensive organic stock, or gluten and sugar-laden supermarket versions. Stock powders and cubes are full of artificial flavours and additives, so if you’re keen to detox your pantry, try the recipe below instead.
This mineral-rich drink or stock is also one of the best ways to ensure your kitchen is wastage free. Simply save your meat bones or chicken carcass and follow the instructions below.
Super Easy Homemade Bone Broth Recipe
Ingredients:
- 0.5kg beef bones or oxtail or 1 chicken carcass (always free-range and grass-fed meats, you know the deal)
- Enough water to completely cover bones
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (this helps to extract the calcium)
- A pinch of salt
Method:
- In a large pot or slow cooker, combine all ingredients.
- Bring to the boil on the stove before simmering for 24-48 hours.
- Allow to cool before straining and retain only the liquid yield. There will be fat to skim off and potentially leftover bone, depending on which time frame you chose.
Please note: if you use chicken, most of the bones should have dissolved. Expect to have bones left if you use beef or oxtail, which you can in fact re-use.
Bone Broth Tips and Tricks
- Keep what you will use in the next few days in a glass container in the fridge.
- Freeze the rest into single serves to drink with a meal or for cooking. Your bone broth will last a few months in the freezer. Freeze in ice cube strays and defrost a few as required.
- Use bone broth in any recipe requiring stock, like soups and stews.
- After 24 hours of cooking time, add vegetables such as garlic, onion, carrots, celery and zucchini for flavour and variety.
- If you really want to minimise wastage, save the top layer and use as cooking fat.
So there you have it. Nothing to be afraid of. Are you ready to make some this weekend?
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