Amid life’s busy chaos, folks frequently forget to focus on their health and well-being.
One way to do that is by making sure we’re getting enough collagen.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, and it’s responsible for supporting our skin, hair, nails, joints, and gut health.
You can find collagen in many animal-based foods like bone broth.
Bone broth is made by simmering bones and connective tissue in water for an extended period.
This process releases the collagen into the broth, making it a nutrient-rich food.
Making bone broth at home can be time-consuming, but using a slow cooker can help make the process a bit easier.
Here’s how to make bone broth in your slow cooker:
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 2-4 pounds of bones (you can use chicken, beef, or pork bones)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 8 cups of water
1. Place the bones, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and peppercorns in your slow cooker.
2. Add the apple cider vinegar and water to the slow cooker and stir everything to combine.
3. Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 8-24 hours, depending on how much collagen you want to extract from the bones.
4. When the broth is done cooking, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
5. Serve the bone broth hot or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Do you want to take care of your body and get more collagen into your diet?
Then try this delicious bone broth recipe using a slow cooker!
It’s easy, nutritious, and perfect for boosting your overall health.
So what are you waiting for?
Get started today!
How to store the Leftovers?
Leftover bone broth can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
You can also freeze it for longer-term storage.
Just make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To reheat bone broth, you can use the microwave or stovetop, depending on what’s most convenient.
Some people also like to add leftover bone broth to soups and stews to boost nutrients and flavor.
Whatever your preferred method of storage and reheating, bone broth is a versatile and nutritious food that will become a staple in your kitchen.
What are the health benefits of bone broth?
Generally, bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue in water for an extended period.
This process releases nutrients and minerals from the bones into the broth.
These nutrients include collagen, amino acids, minerals, and gelatin.
Bone broth has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties.
Some people believe that it can help improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system.
While there is some scientific evidence to support these claims, more research is needed.
Here are some of the science-backed health benefits of bone broth:
1. May promote gut health
Bone broth contains gelatin, a protein that has been shown to improve gut health.
Gelatin can help repair the gut lining and promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
A study in rats found that gelatin improved gut integrity and reduced gut inflammation.
2. May reduce inflammation
Bone broth is rich in collagen, which has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body.
Additionally, some of the amino acids found in bone broth can help lower levels of inflammatory molecules in the blood.
3. May boost the immune system
Bone broth contains nutrients that can help support the immune system, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron.
Additionally, the gelatin in bone broth can help fight infection by binding to bacteria and viruses.
4. May promote joint health
The collagen in bone broth can help improve joint health by reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of new cartilage.
Additionally, the amino acids in bone broth, such as glycine and proline, can help promote collagen production in the body.
Nonetheless, bone broth is a nutrient-rich food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and health levels.
It’s a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to promote overall health and wellness.
Whether you drink the bone broth as a hot beverage or use it in soups and stews, it’s a tasty and nutritious way to improve your diet and overall well-being.
Give it a try and reap the many health benefits this nutrient-rich food offers.
Nutritional Facts of bone broth:
1 cup (236 ml) of homemade bone broth provides:
- Calories: 55
- Protein: 6 grams
- Fat: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 4 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sodium: 12 mg
- Potassium: 153 mg
- Calcium: 22 mg
- Phosphorus: 15 mg
- Magnesium: 8 mg
- Iron: 0.4 mg
- Zinc: 0.4 mg
- Copper: 0.1 mg
- Manganese: 0.1 mg
- Selenium: 2.5 mcg
What can you serve with this Dish?
Bone broth is a simple and easy dish to make, but it can be used in so many ways.
You can serve it alone as a filling soup or combine it with other ingredients to create something new and exciting.
Some of the different ways that you can use bone broth include:
1. As a side dish for your main course.
2. As a filling for baked or stuffed vegetables such as bell peppers, tomatoes, squash, and zucchini.
3. To thicken sauces and soups.
You can add a little bit of bone broth to your favorite soup recipe to give it extra flavor and nutrients without adding any extra calories or fat.
You can also use bone broth in place of flour or cornstarch to thicken sauces and stews.
4. As a marinade for meat, fish, or tofu.
Using bone broth as a base when making marinades will help keep your proteins moist while they are cooking – and having moist proteins is always better than having dried-out and tough proteins!
5. As a base for other broths, stocks, or soups.
You can also use some of your bone broth to make stock, broth, or even another batch of bone broth in the slow cooker or on the stovetop!
In short, bone broth is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in many recipes.
If you make some in your slow cooker and keep it handy, you will always have something on hand to use as an ingredient or base for other dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is slow-cooked bone broth good for you?
People have been arguing about this topic for ages.
The reason why bone broth is such a controversial food item is that the FDA has not approved it in the United States.
Yet, people worldwide swear that they have witnessed excellent health benefits after consuming it on a regular basis.
There are some studies that suggest that bone broth can help reduce inflammation, improve joint health, boost immunity, and even help with weight loss.
However, there is still not enough scientific evidence to say definitively whether or not bone broth is truly good for you.
If you are interested in trying bone broth, it is important to make sure that you purchase it from a reputable source.
You should also be aware of the potential side effects that are associated with this food, such as digestive issues and a change in bowel movements.
In conclusion, while some people may experience positive health benefits after consuming bone broth regularly, it is essential to speak to your doctor before making any major dietary changes.
How long should bone broth cook?
There is no precise answer to this question since it depends on the type of bones used, the size of the pot, and the cook’s preferences.
However, most bone broths should cook for at least 12 hours, if not longer.
This slow simmering process allows the bones to release their nutrients and flavor into the broth.
For a more intense flavor, some cooks may simmer their bone broth for 24 hours or even longer.
Can you put bones in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can definitely put bones in the slow cooker.
In fact, making bone broth is one of the easiest and most popular ways to use a slow cooker.
Simply fill your slow cooker with bones, add some water or chicken broth, and cook on low for several hours.
You will be rewarded with delicious bone broth that you can use in a variety of recipes.
Just be sure to strain the broth before using it to remove any small pieces of bone.
How much water do I add to bone broth?
The amount of water you add to your bone broth will vary depending on the recipe that you’re using, how long you cook it, and how much liquid will be released from the meat and bones as they cook.
Generally speaking, though, you should start by adding enough water to cover all of the ingredients fully.
You can then add more water slowly; if you notice that the liquid level is getting too low, top it off with some more.
As a general rule of thumb, you should always keep your broth covered by at least an inch or two of water while cooking.
How to Make Bone Broth in Your Slow Cooker
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2-4 pounds Bones you can use chicken, beef, or pork bones
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 8 cups of water
Instructions
- Place the bones, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and peppercorns in your slow cooker.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and water to the slow cooker and stir everything to combine.
- Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 8-24 hours, depending on how much collagen you want to extract from the bones.
- When the broth is done cooking, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
- Serve the bone broth hot or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Video
Nutrition
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