Prep Day: How to Make and Store Homemade Broth in Advance. Homemade broth is a miracle liquid and should definitely be a part of everyone's prep week!

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I feel like it’s been forever since we last talked about prep time!

Two weeks = forever in blog time.

Today, we’re going to talk about making broth. Just for future reference, when I mention the word broth in this post, I’m talking about broth/stock in general: a nourishing liquid made from simmering veggies and/or animal bones.  We could get technical and talk about the difference between stock and broth, but for this post we are going to keep it simple and just pretend there aren’t technical words out there (or people who use them).

Broth = stock. Stock = broth. At least in today’s post. Okay?

I know making homemade broth sounds super intimidating. For the first time ever, we are living in a society where a simple kitchen skill such as cooking a whole chicken and using the bones, or simmering veggies to make a broth, is a lost art. We have become a society of fast food, boneless meat, and all things store-bought. Many of us are beginning to realize that making food at home isn’t something to run away from. And that’s why we’re here, right?! Because we share the same desire: to live a simpler natural lifestyle. And what’s simpler or more natural than making homemade broth?

(Answer: Not much ;)).

Prep Day: How to Make and Store Homemade Broth in Advance. Homemade broth is a miracle liquid and should definitely be a part of everyone's prep week!

Before I share the basics of making homemade broth, let’s focus on the main reasons why you should think about making and storing broth in advance. After all, if you’re going to include a task on your prep day printable or mental plan, it must help maximize your time throughout the week (AKA: it better be important!) 

Why You Should Make Homemade Broth

1. Inexpensive Nutrients and Flavor:

Homemade broth is a miracle liquid!

Most miracle substances sold in stores (think: super-foods) cost a fortune. Homemade broth costs just pennies to make per jar/bag thanks to the cheap ingredients used: veggies from the fridge and animal bones.

Homemade broth is packed full of incredible nutrients. Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll find in a jar of homemade broth:

  • Promotes digestion and protects your digestive tract
  • Contributes to strong bones, connective tissues, and tendons, and healthy brain growth.
  • Boosts your immune system. Ever wonder why chicken noodle soup is recommended when you’re sick?
  • Rich in glycine, an essential amino acid for our bodies.
  • Provides our body with essential minerals, including magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and other trace minerals.
  • Rich in collagen. Looking for healthy hair, skin, and nails? Skip the Botox and drink the broth.

2. The Homemade Difference: 

There are times when I run out of homemade broth and just need a few cups in a pinch. In these desperate times I use water or a quality store-bought broth (Pacific makes a good one). The difference between my homemade broth and water or store-bought broth is very noticeable.

Homemade broth is loaded with fresh flavor that store-bought broth (even the best) or water just can’t mimic. If you’re stretched on time, I recommend making homemade broth and storing it in the freezer for soups and stews. You’ll notice an amazing difference in taste! Use the better quality store broth or water for foods like rice, beans, etc.

3. Easy to Store:

Homemade broth is easy to store in the freezer. Even if you don’t have a lot of freezer space, there are a couple of tricks that will maximize your space and stock your freezer with nutrient-rich broth. Plus, broth can be made anytime, not just during a dedicated prep time (although you are prepping for future meals) since all the work is done in the crock-pot.

Prep Day: How to Make and Store Homemade Broth in Advance. Homemade broth is a miracle liquid and should definitely be a part of everyone's prep week!

How to Make Homemade Broth: Easy Chicken, Vegetable, and Beef Recipes

One-Pot Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables

Chicken Broth: The easiest way to make chicken broth, in my opinion, is in the crock-pot with leftover chicken bones and vegetables from the fridge. If I have enough bones (about a whole chicken) to make a pot of chicken broth, then I simply add the fresh bones (raw bones/meat can be used, but I prefer to use cooked bones from a whole chicken due to cost and convenience) and a few veggies to my crock-pot and fill the base with water. If I don’t have enough bones, I keep a bag in the freezer for chicken bones and add to it until I have enough bones to make broth. After a 12-24 hour simmer, homemade chicken broth awaits.

Find the full recipe.

How to Use: Casseroles, boiling rice or quinoa instead of water, add flavor to beans (sub some water for broth), soups and stews, sipping from a cup (a great natural “vitamin”).

Prep Day: How to Make and Store Homemade Broth in Advance. Homemade broth is a miracle liquid and should definitely be a part of everyone's prep week!

Beef Broth: Beef broth is made just like chicken broth, except the beef bones are first roasted to maximize the flavor. I purchase beef bones from my local health food store or farmer’s market. Beef bones are usually inexpensive ($3-4 for a few pounds).

Find the full recipe.

How to Use: Casseroles, boiling rice or quinoa instead of water, add flavor to beans (sub some water for broth),  soups and stews, sipping from a cup (a great natural “vitamin”).

Prep Day: How to Make and Store Homemade Broth in Advance. Homemade broth is a miracle liquid and should definitely be a part of everyone's prep week!

Vegetable Broth: Unlike beef and chicken broth, vegetable broth only requires one ingredient: vegetables. If you’re a vegetarian or just want a break from meat, this is the broth for you!  Vegetable broth is made by simmering vegetables until they are “lifeless.” My favorite vegetables for making broth include: parsnips, fresh herbs, carrots, onions, mushrooms, celery (including the leaves!), leeks, and apple cores.

Find the full recipe.

How to Use: Casseroles, boiling rice or quinoa instead of water, add flavor to beans (sub some water for broth),  soups and stews, sipping from a cup (a great natural “vitamin”).

 Prep Day: How to Make and Store Homemade Broth in Advance. Homemade broth is a miracle liquid and should definitely be a part of everyone's prep week!

In the Freezer: I store my homemade broth in the freezer using freezer-safe glass jars. These jars are easy to label and allow me to freeze about 2-2 1/2 cups of broth per container, the perfect amount for making soups, casseroles, and rice. If my freezer is short on space, I freeze broth in silicone molds (the same molds I use to make homemade gummy snacks and lotion bars) or ice cube trays. Once frozen, dump the broth cubes into a jar or bag and freeze again for later. Another option is to store broth in quart-size Ziploc bags and lay them flat in the freezer, then stack the bags vertically once the broth is frozen solid.

Make in Advance Method: Broth stored in sealed jars or bags may be kept in the freezer for 4-6 months.

In the Fridge: Broth will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days when stored in air-tight containers. Diana at My Humbled Kitchen recently shared how she stores homemade chicken broth in the fridge for up to 6 months (see link below). I haven’t tried her method yet, but I’m intrigued by the idea.

Make in Advance Method: Broth stored in sealed jars may be kept in the fridge for 4-5 days, or 6 months using Diana’s method.

Note: Always wait until the broth has completely cooled before placing glass jars in the fridge or freezer. 

Prep Day: How to Make and Store Homemade Broth in Advance. Homemade broth is a miracle liquid and should definitely be a part of everyone's prep week!

This week, your homework is to create a meal plan, go shopping for the food you’ll need to implement the meal plan, set aside a specific day/time for prep time, and then print and fill out the Prep Day Action Plan printable. Focus on five foods you can prep this week based on your meal plan and schedule: making soup or broth, cooking and shredding chicken, washing storing greens, prepping muffins/biscuits/pancakes, making eggs, marinating meat, or blending smoothies, etc.

Remember, this time is meant to simplify life, so don’t feel overwhelmed by the number of different prepping methods/tutorials available. Focus on a maximum of five activities based on the recipes/meals you plan to make over the next week and your family’s schedule.

More Real Food You May Like:

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Prep Day: How to Make Easy Crock-Pot Shredded Chicken

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Prep Day: Why, What, & How To of Preparing Food in Advance

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16 Comments

  1. I am a Single , Senior , Likes to cook , but doing it for 1 ! love recipes , but trying to apply the flexibility to either cut down , or , preserve extras for future use is a challenge for my situation.
    Realize that most of these pages are family oriented , but the ease and nutrition is desired .

    Would you have any advise to an aspiring amature cook ?

    1. Hey Jim, I think your freezer is your best friend in this scenario, particularly with soups and broth. You can freeze in containers (I love these: https://amzn.to/39ihnH4). For other recipes, you could cut the ingredients in half and do a lot of “cook once, eat twice” with leftovers.

  2. I make pork broth for when we’re coming down with sickness, plus all the gelatin is great for preventing wrinkles and taking care of your joints! I make it whenever we have roasted pork (which is maybe once every four to five months). Strip any leftover meat off of the bone and freeze to eat another time, then take the leftover bone and roast it at 375 for 30 minutes. In a crock pot, I add three chopped carrots, one chopped onion, five cloves of garlic, a teaspoon of peppercorns, some salt, two tablespoons of vinegar, and water to cover. To get at the nutrients you might otherwise not eat (onion skins are LOADED with vitamins but they’re kind of…not good to eat) I leave on the skins of everything except for the garlic. Add the bone when it’s done roasting, cover with water, and slow cook for eight hours or more. I thought I’d put this here just because there was no pork bone recipe.

  3. Hello,

    This is the second time I have made the chicken broth and it is amazing. So good when I’ve been sick! Just a quick question – after freezing the chicken broth in mason jars have you found that you completely need to thaw them or does the chicken broth slide out of the jar easily? Thank you so very much for every recipe you create!

    1. Awesome, Loraine! It’s so great to hear you’re enjoying the chicken broth. I’ve found thawing the chicken broth completely when using the mason jars is necessary–the only downside to mason jars :(.

  4. Great post, Kristin! Broth/stock is so easy to make (especially in the crock pot!!!), but it does sound intimidating and time consuming for some reason. I also save the rind from Parmesan cheese (I store it in the freezer) and add that to veggie stock. It adds another level of richness.

  5. Can you freeze broth then cook with it and then freeze the cooked food? Say I made broth and defrosted it to make a bunch of rice and want to freeze the leftovers? Is there concern about bacteria growth and loss of nutrients? Thanks!

    1. Hey Jennifer, Great question! From my personal experience, as long as the broth is handled properly (not left on the counter forever, etc.) freezing and then refreezing in a meal is perfectly fine.

  6. I am a huge fan of homemade chicken stock. Once I tried it, I never wanted to buy the boxed stuff again (due to flavor AND price). I haven’t tried beef stock and had no idea you could purchase bones for stock. I’m definitely going to have to look into that as soup season starts. Thanks for the good tips. ☺️

    1. So true, Aileen! It’s so hard to use boxed broth once you know how amazing homemade broth tastes!

      I think you’ll love homemade beef broth. I don’t make it very often because we just eat so much chicken so I naturally have chicken bones, but beef broth is by far my favorite of the three recipes!

  7. This is perfect timing! I’m cooking a whole chicken this week and wanted to use the bones to make a broth. This definitely answered all the little uncertainties I had about what I’m gonna be doing.