If you’re looking for a simple bone broth recipe that fits into a gut health routine, this guide walks through the ingredients, cooking methods, and what bone broth may offer from a nutrition perspective. Bone broth is a comforting, savory food made by simmering animal bones with water, aromatics, and a small amount of acid. It can be a nourishing addition to meals, but it is not a cure or treatment for digestive conditions.

Below, you’ll find a practical recipe, the best bones to use, stovetop and appliance methods, storage tips, and cautious answers to common health questions about bone broth and gut health.

Quick Recipe Summary

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 12 to 24 hours on stovetop or slow cooker; 2 to 4 hours in an Instant Pot
• Yield: About 8 to 12 cups, depending on pot size and water level
• Best for: Sipping warm, using in soups, or adding to grain and vegetable dishes

Bone Broth Recipe

This bone broth recipe uses simple ingredients and a long, gentle simmer to create a rich broth. You can use chicken, beef, or mixed bones depending on what you have available.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 pounds bones (chicken carcass, beef knuckle bones, marrow bones, or a mix)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 to 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 to 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 10 to 12 cups cold water, or enough to cover the bones
• Optional: parsley stems, thyme, ginger, or chicken feet for extra gelatin
• Salt, added to taste after cooking

Step-by-step instructions

1. Place the bones in a large stockpot, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.
2. Add the vegetables, bay leaves, peppercorns, and apple cider vinegar.
3. Pour in cold water until everything is just covered.
4. Let the mixture sit for 20 to 30 minutes before heating, if possible.
5. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat so the broth barely bubbles.
6. Skim off any foam that rises during the first hour for a cleaner broth.
7. Cook using one of the methods below.
8. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container.
9. Cool quickly, then refrigerate or freeze for later use.

Cooling and storage guidance

After straining, let the broth cool a little before transferring it to smaller containers. For food safety, cool it promptly and refrigerate within two hours. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage. If chilled, bone broth may become gelatinous, which is a normal texture from gelatin.

Best Bones to Use for Bone Broth

Not all bones behave the same in a broth. The best choices are often a mix of bones that add flavor, gelatin, and body.

Good options

• Chicken carcasses and backs: Great for a lighter broth with a mild flavor.
• Chicken feet: Naturally high in connective tissue, which may increase gelatin content.
• Beef knuckle and joint bones: Often used for a rich, fuller-bodied broth.
• Marrow bones: Add depth and flavor, especially when combined with joint bones.
• Fish heads and bones: Best for a lighter, quicker broth with a delicate flavor.

For a broth with a better texture, a mix of marrow bones and joint bones is often a practical choice. Bones with more connective tissue tend to contribute more gelatin, while marrow bones add flavor and richness.

How Bone Broth May Support Gut Health

Bone broth is often discussed in relation to gut health because it contains collagen, gelatin, and amino acids such as glycine, proline, and glutamine. These nutrients may help support overall nutrition, hydration, and digestive comfort as part of a balanced diet.

Collagen and gelatin

When bones and connective tissue are simmered, collagen breaks down into gelatin. Gelatin gives broth a richer texture and may help some people find broths easier to sip and digest. This does not prove that bone broth heals the gut lining, but it is one reason it is often included in gut-friendly meal plans.

Amino acids and minerals

Bone broth can contain amino acids like glycine and proline, plus small amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients support general nutrition, but amounts vary widely depending on the bones, cooking time, and recipe.

If you want to explore more everyday gut-supportive habits, see our guide to natural ways to boost your microbiome and our article on gut transit time.

Methods: Stovetop, Instant Pot, and Slow Cooker

Stovetop method

The stovetop method gives you the most traditional result and is ideal if you want to monitor the simmer closely.

• Use a large stockpot and keep the heat low.
• Maintain a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil.
• Cook chicken broth for 8 to 12 hours; beef broth for 12 to 24 hours.

Instant Pot method

This method is faster and works well when you want broth on a shorter timeline.

• Add all ingredients to the pot and do not exceed the fill line.
• Cook on high pressure for 2 to 4 hours, depending on the bones used.
• Allow natural pressure release before opening.

Slow cooker method

The slow cooker is convenient for longer cooks and low-effort preparation.

• Combine all ingredients in the cooker and cover with water.
• Cook on low for 12 to 24 hours.
• Strain and cool as soon as the broth is finished.

Chicken, Beef, and Fish Bone Broth Options

Chicken bone broth

Chicken bones create a lighter broth that is easy to use in soups, grains, or as a warm drink. Chicken feet can be added for extra body.

Beef bone broth

Beef bones make a deeper, richer broth. Roasting the bones first can improve flavor before simmering.

Fish bone broth

Fish broth cooks more quickly than chicken or beef broth. Use fish heads and bones from mild white fish or salmon, and keep the simmer short to avoid bitterness.

What Bone Broth May Help With and What It Cannot Prove

Bone broth is often linked to digestive comfort, hydration, and general nourishment. That said, the evidence does not show that bone broth can diagnose, treat, or cure gut disease.

It may help some people increase fluid intake, enjoy an easy-to-digest food, or add more variety to a gut-friendly eating pattern. It cannot prove healing of conditions such as leaky gut, and results will vary from person to person.

If you have a medical condition or are on a specialized diet, it is best to discuss changes with a qualified healthcare professional.

Bone Broth and Common Health Questions

Can bone broth help with neuropathy?

Bone broth is sometimes included in wellness routines because it provides hydration and some amino acids and minerals. Those nutrients may support overall dietary intake, but there is no strong evidence that bone broth treats neuropathy.

If you are dealing with nerve symptoms, a broad nutrition and medical approach is usually more relevant than a single food. Bone broth may be a soothing addition, but it should not be viewed as a replacement for care.

Can bone broth help with osteoporosis?

Bone broth contains small amounts of minerals, but it is not a reliable source of calcium or a proven therapy for osteoporosis. It may fit into a balanced diet, yet it cannot replace bone-health strategies such as adequate protein, calcium, vitamin D, and exercise.

If bone density is a concern, bone broth can be one part of an overall eating pattern, but it should not be relied on as a primary intervention.

Can bone broth help with high cortisol?

Some people find warm broth calming, especially as part of an evening routine. That can be comforting, but there is no proof that bone broth lowers cortisol levels in a direct or meaningful way.

If stress is affecting sleep or digestion, the broader pattern of meals, rest, and lifestyle habits matters more than any single recipe.

Store-Bought vs Homemade Bone Broth

Homemade broth gives you control over ingredients, simmer time, and salt level. Store-bought broth can be convenient when you want something quick and consistent.

If you buy broth, check the label for simple ingredients, low added sugar, and a sodium level that fits your needs. If you make it at home, you can adjust the flavor and choose the bones, vegetables, and herbs you prefer.

Tips for Better Bone Broth Flavor and Texture

• Use cold water to help extract flavor gradually.
• Add a small amount of apple cider vinegar at the beginning.
• Keep the simmer gentle to avoid cloudy broth.
• Roast beef bones before cooking for a deeper flavor.
• Season lightly after cooking so you can adjust the final taste.

FAQ

How long should I simmer bone broth?

Chicken broth usually needs less time than beef broth. A gentle simmer of 8 to 12 hours is common for chicken and 12 to 24 hours for beef on the stovetop or slow cooker. Instant Pot methods are usually much faster.

Should I roast the bones first?

Roasting is optional, but it can deepen flavor, especially with beef bones. It is less necessary for chicken or fish broth.

Why did my bone broth turn into jelly?

A jelly-like texture when chilled is normal and usually means the broth contains gelatin. It can return to liquid when reheated.

Can I drink bone broth every day?

Many people enjoy bone broth regularly as part of meals, but it should be considered one food within a broader diet. If sodium or other ingredients are a concern, choose recipes and serving sizes that fit your needs.

Conclusion

A well-made bone broth recipe can be a simple, comforting way to add variety to a gut-friendly diet. By choosing the right bones, cooking gently, and storing it safely, you can make a broth that works for soups, sipping, and everyday meals. Bone broth may support hydration and nutrition, but it is best viewed as one part of a balanced approach to gut health rather than a cure-all.