If you want to make homemade bone broth, the Instant Pot is the best way to do it! Here’s how to make Instant Pot bone broth from leftover beef or chicken.
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Pin RecipeRoasting a chicken for dinner? Don’t throw away the bones—save them and make bone broth instead! Bone broth is a nutritious base for soups or stews, or you can just sip on a hot mug of broth for a healthy snack. And when you use your Instant Pot, making bone broth couldn’t be easier.
Instant Pot Bone Broth Recipe
Bone broth is basically stock that’s cooked long and slow along with some acidity, like vinegar, added to break down the animal bones. It’s filled with collagen and gelatin, which is thought to be beneficial to hair, nails, skin, and overall gut health.
In other words, it’s good for you and it tastes good, too! You can make bone broth on the stove, but using the Instant Pot reduces cooking time while keeping bone broth’s nutritional qualities.
I like to make big batches and keep healthy bone broth on hand all winter long. It makes the perfect “get-better” soup and it’s delicious on a cold day. You are going to love it!
(Love using the Instant Pot? Try my Instant Pot Black Beans (No Soak!), Instant Pot Oatmeal, or Instant Pot Pork Roast next!)
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Ingredients For Instant Pot Bone Broth
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Beef bones or chicken bones – Both types of bones will work well. Most people use beef bones, but chicken bones are just as nutritious and have a nice, light flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar – The acidity of the vinegar helps break down the collagen in the bones which makes it more abundant in the broth.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Water
- Onion – I typically use a white onion.
- Carrot – You can keep the peel on the carrot.
Tips for Making Instant Pot Bone Broth
- Use meaty, collagen-rich bones like beef or chicken bones. For a richer broth, use oxtail, marrow bones, beef short ribs, or chicken wings. You can use any mix of pork, beef, or chicken bones to make bone broth.
- Blanch the bones first. Add your bones to a large stockpot, and cover them with cold water. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, and simmer for 10-15 minutes before draining and rinsing with water. This helps keep your final broth clear and pretty.
- For the most flavorful broth, brown the bones in the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode on high heat. When hot, add a tablespoon of olive oil, and transfer bones in a single layer. Then, cook each side for 3-4 minutes or until brown.
- Add vegetables during the last cook on high. Onions and carrots are great additions. You will strain out the vegetables when the broth is finished cooking.
How to Make Instant Pot Bone Broth
- Boil: Place 2 pounds of beef bones or 3 pounds of chicken bones in a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot with 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper. Add 3 quarts of water, and set the Instant Pot to sauté to boil the water. Skim off any foam that comes to the top, and discard.
- Cook: Cover and lock the Instant Pot, and set it to manual, high pressure for 120 minutes. Let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure.
- Add vegetables and cook: Next, unlock the lid, and add a quartered onion and sliced carrot. Cover, and lock the Instant Pot again and set it to manual, high pressure for 120 minutes. Let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure once again.
- Strain: When the pressure is released and the broth is cooked, carefully strain through a strainer. Discard the bones and vegetables.
- Store: Cool the broth, and transfer it to glass containers to store.
Quick Tip
Feel free to customize your bone broth with different vegetables. Celery, crushed garlic cloves, leeks, and shallots are all delicious additions, as are sprigs of fresh herbs and whole peppercorns!
How to Instant Pot Store Bone Broth
Homemade bone broth can be stored in glass jars in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 12 months. Once cooked, discard the bones, let the broth cool fully, and carefully pour or ladle into your jars!
FAQs
Bone broth can be used in any soup in place of chicken, beef, vegetable stock, or broth. It delivers a richer flavor and more nutrition and can be substituted in equal amounts. Try chicken bone broth in Broccoli Cheddar Soup or beef bone broth in Instant Pot Lasagna Soup!
You can freeze any leftover Instant Pot bone broth just as you would any kind of soup.
To freeze in glass, fill a jar and leave about 1-2 inches of room—remember that the liquid will expand as it freezes. Put jars in the fridge, and allow them to cool completely before storing them in the freezer.To freeze in ice cube trays, divide the broth into the ice compartments, and place the trays on a shelf in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a sealable bag, and pull a few out to add to your favorite recipes!
Yes. It is possible to overcook bone broth in the Instant Pot. Keep an eye on your cooking time and also on the pressure release time. You don’t want to burn those bones!
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How to Make Bone Broth in an Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- fine mesh strainer
- measuring spoons
- Glass Jars
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef bones or 3 pounds chicken bones
- 1-2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 quarts water
- 1 onion quartered
- 1 carrot sliced
Instructions
- Place the bones in a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot with 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper.2 pounds beef bones or 3 pounds chicken bones, 1-2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, Salt and pepper to taste
- Add water and put the Instant Pot on sauté to boil the water. Skim off any foam that comes to the top and discard.3 quarts water
- Cover and lock the Instant Pot and set to manual, high pressure for 120 minutes. Let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure.
- Then, unlock and add a quartered onion and sliced carrot. Cover and lock the Instant Pot again and set to manual, high pressure for 120 minutes. Let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure.1 onion, 1 carrot
- When the pressure is released and the broth is cooked, carefully strain through a strainer. Discard the bones and vegetables.
- Cool the broth and transfer it to glass containers to store.
Nutrition
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