Turkey Broth From Carcass

Turkey broth is so easy to make using the leftover turkey carcass from your holiday roasted turkey dinner. The turkey bones are simmered with herbs, vegetables and spices in a slow cooker or instant pot.

Try my easy bone broth recipe next!

What Is Turkey Stock (or Turkey Broth)?

This is a golden yellow liquid created from roasting turkey bones for a long period. Flavor can be added through fresh herbs, spices, salt and pepper. You can save the turkey carcass, bones and scraps from a roasted turkey and use them in this recipe to make an easy turkey broth.

One of the easiest ways to make bone broth is with an instant pot or slow cooker. Add a turkey carcass along with a few fresh herbs and vegetables to create a deep golden broth that's rich in protein and gelatin.

You can use this broth as a base for almost any homemade soup or stew recipe. Use it to make my delicious leftover turkey carcass soup, cook your rice or quinoa with it (it creates so much more flavor), add to my turkey stew recipe, or even sip it alone as a nourishing drink.

Recipe Ingredients

• Turkey carcass - bones, scraps, and neck
• 2 celery stalks - roughly chopped
• 2 carrots - peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 yellow onion - peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 fresh package poultry herb blend - or fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage. It's okay if you don't include all of these. They add extra flavor but are optional.
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Got leftover turkey meat? Try my turkey pot pie, or leftover turkey casserole.

How To Make Turkey Broth In Instant Pot

Using an instant pot is my favorite method because it's faster and does a really great job! I've also included instructions for using a slow cooker and stovetop below.

Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

STEP 1: Add the turkey carcass, 2 chopped celery stalks, 2 chopped carrots, 1 chopped yellow onion, fresh poultry herb mix (rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage), salt and pepper to the instant pot.

STEP 2: Fill the pot with water to the max fill line.

STEP 2: Close the lid and turn the steam release valve to "seal". Cook on low for 2½ hours.

STEP 3: When complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes then turn steam valve to "vent" position. Once all steam has been released, open the lid.

STEP 4: Let the broth ingredients cool 1 for hour in the pot first. Then use a soup ladle to pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.

STEP 5: Pour broth into glass jars and let them cool to room temperature. Once cooled, you can store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Leftover bones and scraps can be discarded in the compost or garbage.

How To Make Turkey Broth In Slow Cooker

STEP 1: Add the turkey carcass, 2 chopped celery stalks, 2 chopped carrots, 1 chopped yellow onion, fresh poultry herb mix (rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage), salt and pepper to the slow cooker pot.

STEP 2: Fill with water to the max fill line. Cover with the lid and let cook on low for 6-12 hours.

STEP 3: Let the broth ingredients cool 1 for hour in the pot first. Then use a soup ladle to pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.

STEP 4: Pour broth into glass jars and let them cool to room temperature. Once cooled, you can store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Leftover bones and scraps can be discarded in the compost or garbage.

How To Cook Turkey Broth On The Stove

You can certainly cook your broth on the stove as well, but it takes a lot longer. Personally, it's not my favorite option because it's not as convenient as an instant pot or slow cooker is.

STEP 1: Add ingredients to a large stockpot. Fill the pot ¾ full with water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to let simmer covered on low for 6-9 hours.

STEP 2: Add more water through the process if necessary. Scoop off extra scum (the foamy stuff) from the top while it's cooking.

STEP 3: Let cool for 1 hour then follow the "how to strain" instructions above.

How To Use Broth

• This broth can be used as the base for any homemade soups or stews including my leftover turkey soup or my turkey stew.
• You can substitute the water with broth when cooking rice or quinoa. The broth ingredients will be absorbed by the grain as it cooks, creating a greater depth of flavor.
• Try cooking mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes in broth instead of water. It tastes delicious!
• Broth can be used in replacement of drippings to make gravy or sauces.
• Sip it as a healing drink. Many people enjoy a cup of warm broth lightly seasoned with salt and pepper for its health benefits.
• I like to drop a raw egg in a pot of simmering broth. It will cook and create egg drop soup!