How to Pressure Can Bone Broth for a Frugal + Practical Pantry
Having homemade pressure-canned bone broth on hand is the perfect way to add nutrition and flavor to your soups, stews, and so much more. This is a great frugal recipe that magically makes something out of nothing.
Don’t rush the cooking process, you want to extract all the nutrients and flavors from the bones. With the help of your slow cooker, this pressure canning recipe is hands-off and simple.
Bone Broth for Canning
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 chicken carcass (about 3 lbs of bones)
- 3 medium carrots roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
- 1 medium onion roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon whole peppercorn
- 1 poultry herb bundle (rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme)
- 12 cups water
Instructions
Make the Broth
- Add ingredients. Add all ingredients into a slow cooker or a large electric roasting pan.
- Add water and cook. Cover and set the slow cooker to low and allow it to cook for 12-24 hours. Check the slow cooker after 8 hours and add more water as needed.
- Strain. Once everything has been cooked for at least 12 hours, strain the liquid from the carcass and vegetables using a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl. If you don’t have a fine mesh strainer, place a double layer of cheesecloth inside a strainer and allow it to drain.
- Cool. Allow the bowl of hot broth to cool then cover and place it in the fridge overnight.
- Skim fat. Remove the bowl of broth from the fridge the next day and skim the fat layer off the top of the broth. Try to get as much of the fat layer off as you possibly can.
- Warm. Transfer broth to a large pot and allow it to warm over medium-low heat.
Pressure Can
- Prepare Pressure Canner. Fill the pressure canner with 3 inches of water, and place the rack in the bottom. Place over medium-high heat.
- Prepare Jars, Lids, and Rings. Wash the jars with hot soapy water. Fill the clean jars halfway with water and place them in the pressure canner and allow them to warm. Place the lids and rings in a small pot of water and allow it to simmer over low heat.
- Fill the Jars. Once the broth has started to steam it’s time to fill the jars. Using a jar lifter, drain and remove the jars from the pressure canner. Place a canning funnel over the jar and ladle the hot broth into the jars leaving a 1-inch headspace.
- Wipe rims clean and top jars. Once filled, wipe the rims of the jars using a clean moist towel. Add the lids and rings and tighten the rings until they’re fingertip-tight.
- Process. Place the jars in the pressure canner and place the lid on. Set over high heat and allow it to come to heat.
- Set timer. Once a steady stream of steam starts venting out, set a timer for 10 minutes. Next, set the pressure to 10 and allow the canner to come up to 11 lbs of pressure (adjusting for altitude). Once at 11 lbs of pressure set the timer for 20 minutes for pint-sized jars and 25 minutes for quart-sized jars. *Please note that if the pressure drops below 11 lbs of pressure, stop the timer, bring the pressure back up to 11 again, and start the timer again. It is important that the pressure stays to at least 11 lbs of pressureThe pressure must stay*
Notes
I love making this chicken bone broth recipe. It’s become a staple in my kitchen, and I always have a few jars ready to go. There’s something so comforting about knowing I made it from scratch. Plus, it’s perfect for everything from soups to risotto.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Key Ingredients and Tools
Here are a few important tools and ingredients to help you make the best chicken bone broth possible:
- Chicken Carcass. Using a mix of bones, especially those with connective tissue, adds depth and nutrients to your broth.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. This helps break down the bones, releasing collagen and nutrients into the broth.
- Poultry Herb Bundle. Fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme add a wonderful flavor that dried herbs can’t quite match.
- Pressure Canner. Essential for safely preserving your broth, ensuring it’s shelf-stable and ready to use anytime.
- Fine Mesh Strainer. This is key for getting a clear broth by removing all the small bits and pieces from the liquid.
Using these tools and ingredients will make your bone broth rich, nutritious, and full of flavor.
Troubleshooting and Help
Absolutely! You can use bones from a rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or even raw chicken bones. Just make sure you have about 3 lbs of bones.
If you want to store your broth long-term without refrigeration, a pressure canner is essential. However, you can always freeze the broth if you don’t have a pressure canner.
When properly canned, your chicken bone broth can last up to a year in a cool, dark place. Just make sure the jars are sealed correctly.
Definitely! Feel free to customize the broth with your favorite vegetables and herbs. Just keep in mind that some strong flavors might change the overall taste.
No worries! You can simmer the ingredients in a large pot on the stove. Just keep the heat low and add water as needed to keep the bones submerged.
The broth is ready when it has a rich, golden color and the bones are soft and brittle. This usually takes between 12 to 24 hours in a slow cooker.
While the first batch will have the most nutrients, you can reuse the bones for a second, lighter batch of broth. Just add fresh vegetables and herbs.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! I’m here to help you make the best chicken bone broth possible.
This is a rewarding process (really!) that brings rich flavor and nutrients to your kitchen. Whether you’re using it as a base for soups, or stews, or even sipping it on its own, homemade broth adds a special touch to your meals. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made something wholesome and delicious from scratch.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.