Instant Pot bone broth has never been easier to make! This recipe is for delicious and flavorful chicken bone broth, but there are many different kinds you can make.
How To Make Instant Pot Bone Broth
It’s easy it is to run to the market and buy canned bone broth. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that at all, heck I have done it myself over the years. But, there are so many benefits of making bone broth in a pressure cooker that I am certain you are going to be glad you learned how.
The reason I get so excited about sharing how to make bone broth is that I believe in not wasting any portion of food. Bone broth is the perfect way to use parts of the chicken that would normally be discarded.
On a side note, if this is the first time you’re going to use your Instant Pot and you’re a little hesitant about using it, take a peek at this Instant Pot For Beginners Guide that I put together. It will help you feel more comfortable getting to use your new pressure cooker.
*** POST EDIT: One of my readers (Thank you Eve!!) commented that because I photographed my chicken broth in mason jars, I might be implying that by doing the same thing at home, you would be canning the broth. I don’t want anyone to assume that, so please know that simply putting hot chicken broth into a mason jar is not a proper way to preserve it. It must be pressure canned in order for it to be safe in canning jars. The mason jars in my photos are only for looks 🙂
Ok, so let’s move on. This is how to make chicken bone broth.
Add the leftover chicken carcass with any bits of meat and skin to the IP bowl.
Health Benefits Of Bone Broth
There are so many health benefits of bone broth! Also, when you make it in the Instant Pot it’s so much quicker and you extract more nutrients in a much shorter amount of time. Here are some other benefits:
- Loaded with nutrients – Potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin C, protein, magnesium, and B vitamins are just a few of the vitamins and nutrients you get. Then when you add in the nutrients from the veggies, it’s all around amazing!
- Helps immunity – Some studies indicate that eating/drinking homemade Instant Pot bone broth can help increase your immunity!
- Reduce inflammation – Studies indicate that consuming bone broth (or stovetop) can help reduce inflammation, especially in your gut.
Add roughly chopped onion and celery.
Saute veggies for a few minutes to develop a bit of color and flavor, add salt.
Why Is My Bone Broth Gelatinous?
I get it, the first time you make bone broth and see the jello-like or gelatinous consistency it can be alarming. Don’t worry a bit! As the chicken bone broth (or any bone broth for that matter, depending on the types of bones you used) cools down the collagen becomes more noticeable.
The gelatin is healthy for you and your joints! If the bone broth didn’t become like gelatin (jiggly or even like jello) as it cools, then something is wrong with it, but it’s not ‘bad”. It’s still totally fine to eat!
Perhaps there was too much water used so the gelatin extracted wasn’t enough to ‘gel’ the broth, or it wasn’t cooked long enough for those particular bones for the gelatin to be extracted. As long as it is tasty, it’s still totally fine to eat or add to other recipes!
Add the chicken and continue to saute. Add other seasonings, garlic, pepper, etc.
Should I Remove Fat From Bone Broth?
No, you don’t need to remove the layer of fat from the bone broth. Not only does it add tons of flavor it’s super healthy for you..
The fat helps us absorb various vitamins and minerals in our bodies. If you’re interested in learning more about how it’s a healthy fat for our bodies, take a peek at this article by Livestrong about the benefits of consuming chicken fat.
You could skim a little off to use when cooking other recipes, but for sure don’t throw it out! The flavor is rich and you don’t want to miss out on the nutrients you get from it. Plus, why waste it when it’s perfectly edible and good for you!
Pour in enough water to cover the contents by about 2 inches or so, but not exceeding the max line.
High pressure, 30 minutes. Once done, allow it to do a natural release.
What Other Bones Can I Use To Make Instant Pot Bone Broth?
You don’t have to be limited to just chicken bone broth. You can use other meats and even just vegetables. Try out some of these ideas:
- Beef – Making beef bone broth is so good and goes so well in many soups and other recipes. You can also just warm it and drink it.
- Fish – Sometimes people forget how much nutrients are in fish and how versatile it is. Use it to make a bone broth and you won’t be disappointed.
- Pork – Not as popular, but it would have the same benefits as other bone broths.
- Veggies – You can make a broth with or without bones! Add in all the vegetables you love and it will taste amazing.
What Vegetables Can I Use For Instant Pot Bone Broth?
You can use any vegetables that you want. Here are my go-to veggies to add tons of flavor and nutrients to the homemade bone broth:
- Carrots (even old, soft carrots that were in your fridge longer than you’d like)
- Celery (same as the carrots. Remember to add the leafy greens from the celery as well!)
- Onions (Any type of onion will be great, even green onions or scallions)
- Bell Peppers (remove the seeds, of course)
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Ginger (adding a small amount of ginger will help brighten up the flavor, the same as adding a bit of lemon juice!)However, I wouldn’t use potatoes for the bone broth base as potatoes are starchy, and would cloud up the broth. Use potatoes later in the broth if you are making a soup or something like that.
What Can I Use Bone Broth For?
There’s a few really great ways to use chicken bone broth! You could:
- Simply sip it during the day, warmed, as a beneficial drink (super great when you’re sick!!)
- Make healthy soups, like this Basic Chicken Noodle Soup, or this Creamy CrockPot Chicken and Rice Soup
- Freeze in ice cube trays and then use a cube or two in place of oils when sauteing or simply to add more flavor when cooking.
- Use in place of water when cooking rice. This seriously makes the rice taste fantastic!
- Use it to poach chicken breasts for later uses instead of using water
- You could also use it to steam veggies in place of water!
- Use broth instead of milk to make dairy-free mashed potatoes!
Do I HAVE To Use An Instant Pot To Make This Bone Broth?
Not at all. Honestly though, using a pressure cooker to make bone broth makes the whole process a lot quicker, but it’s not necessary. You can make any type of bone broth in:
- A stovetop pot
- Slow Cooker / Crock Pot
- Ninja Foodi
- Vita Clay Chef
I hope this really helps explain why (and how) making Instant Pot bone broth is so easy and healthy. It’s a game changer after the first time you make it when you see just how easy it is, and how flavorful as well!! I’d love to hear from you when you make the broth and what you think of it! How do you use your bone broths?
Thanks so much for stopping by The Salty Pot today and I hope you have a wonderful day!!
Intant Pot Bone Broth
Yield: 2 quarts
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
This Instant Pot Bone Broth recipe uses chicken bones and basic fridge veggies to make the most amazing golden, delicious and nourishing bone broth. It's not only good for you, but it's also good for your whole family!
Ingredients
- 1 chicken carcass *see notes
- 1-2 celery stalks
- ½ onion *see notes
- 1-2 carrots
- cool water
- salt & pepper *see notes
- 1tbsp butter or oil
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot onto saute. Begin to melt the butter or add the oil into the inner pot.
- Cut the vegetables up roughly and add them to the pot insert. Saute the veggies until they slightly soften and develop a bit of color.
- Add the chicken bones and quickly saute them as well along with the vegetables.
- Add enough cool water to cover the contents by about 4 inches. DO NOT go past the max line on the pot.
- Press 'off' and then press 'manual'. Adjust the time to 30 minutes.
- Be sure to move the toggle switch to 'sealing'
- When cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot do a natural release and open the lid when the silver pin has dropped.
- Carefully, remove the pot insert with pot holders and CAREFULLY pour (or ladle) the broth and contents into a colander that is sitting inside a larger bowl to separate the contents from the broth.
- The bone broth is ready to use.
Notes
- Chicken carcass - you can use more than once chicken carcass if you have it. The more the better. Do not exceed half the pot insert volume. Add the skin and cartilage if you have it. It's good for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Adding the onion skins helps develop the golden color and develop more flavor. It will be sieved at the end of the cooking process so no worries about eating it!
- Season the bone broth with the salt and pepper AFTER the cooking process is complete, (or not at all if you prefer).
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 60Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 72mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g
***DON’T FORGET TO SAVE THIS INSTANT POT BONE BROTH PIN TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD FOR SAFEKEEPING TO USE LATER!!***
