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!

A jar of turkey broth with vegetables and kitchen towel beside it.

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.

Four images, first is carcass in instant pot, raw vegetables in pot, fresh herbs in pot, and water poured into pot.

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.

Four images, first is veggies in instant pot, second is sealed instant pot on low with 3 hour timer, third is cooked broth with ingredients still inside pot, fourth is lid on and warm setting.

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.

Four images first is instant pot with veggies and turkey carcass in water. Second is strainer sitting on glass jar, third is instant pot and jar of broth in front. Fourth is jar of turkey broth with veggies beside it.

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.

Four images showing steps to make recipe: First is ingredients in slow cooker without water. Second is cooked broth with ingredients after simmering for hours. Third is vegetable and turkey scraps in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Fourth is bowl of meat and veggie scraps, bowl and jar with broth.

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.

broth in a large pot and turkey carcass in a bowl.

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.

Two bowls with turkey broth and spoons. Veggies and kitchen towel beside.

Broth Making Tips

Save all the bones and scraps from turkey dinner including any vegetables and herbs used inside the cavity while roasting. These are perfect additions to flavoring the turkey broth. The turkey carcass might have to be broken to fit into the pot. Do this carefully as bones can be sharp.
A few vegetables can add incredible flavor to broth. Carrots, celery, onions and fresh herbs are favorites as they're easy. You can add a bit of salt and pepper to the broth for taste, or save it for when using broth in recipes.
Use Up Soft Veggies For This! Any soft veggies are great to add to the broth. For example, we had some soft celery that would've been discarded otherwise. Some people like to save veggie scraps in a freezer bag and use them up in a future broth recipe.
Use fresh or dried herbs to help season the stock. Garlic is also a wonderful addition.
Freeze Leftovers: Broth can also be frozen. Just pour it into ice cube trays, freeze, then add the cubes to a large freezer bag.

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!

Tools For This Recipe

(Amazon affiliate links) - Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.

Instant Pot Rio Multi Cooker - 6 qt instant pot is perfect for making broth, soups and easy one-pot dinners. It also has a beautiful design.
Programmable Slow Cooker - 8 qt slow cooker that will cook up to 8 hrs and serve up to 10 people. A programmable slow cooker makes life easier because you can set it and forget it.
Fine Mesh Metal Strainer - this
Metal Canning Funnel - Perfect for pouring liquid into any sort of glass jar, including mason jars.
64 oz Mason Jars - These are large mason jars that are perfect for holding broth or homemade soups. These jars can be frozen as well!

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A glass jar with turkey broth inside with veggies beside the jar.

Turkey Broth Recipe

One of the easiest ways to make bone broth. Use turkey, fresh herbs and vegetables for a deep golden broth that's rich in protein and gelatin. This broth can be used as a base for soups, or sipped like a tea on its own.

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 3

Total Time: 3 10

Servings: 15 servings

Ingredients

Turkey bones, scraps and neck
16 cups water
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
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Instant Pot Turkey Broth:

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.
Fill the pot with water to the max fill line.
Close the lid and turn the steam release valve to “seal”. Cook on low for 2½ hours.
When complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes then turn steam valve to “vent” position. Once all steam has released, open the lid.

Slow Cooker Turkey Broth:

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. Fill with water to the max fill line.
Cover and let cook on high for 6-12 hours.

How To Strain The Broth:

Let the broth ingredients cool 1 for hour, then use a soup ladle to pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.
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.
Broth can also be frozen. Just pour it into ice cube trays, freeze, then add the cubes to a large freezer bag.
Leftover bones and scraps can be discarded in the compost or garbage.

Recipe Notes:

How To Cook Broth On The Stove

Add ingredients to a large stockpot. Fill the pot ¾ full with water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to let simmer on low for 6-9 hours.
Add more water through the process if necessary. Scoop off extra scum (the foamy stuff) from the top while it's cooking.
Let cool for 1 hour then follow the "how to strain" instructions above.

Nutrition Info

The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.

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Turkey Broth From Carcass