How to Make Chicken Broth From Scratch

It might be easy and convenient to buy at the store, but nothing compares to the rich and delicious flavor of homemade chicken broth. And while many store-bought versions contain lots of sodium and added preservatives, making your own gives you the power to control the ingredients, which include lots of nutrient-packed veggies and herbs. Luckily, chicken broth is easy to make at home if you have the ingredients on hand and a few hours to spare. Find out how to make chicken broth from scratch by following the five simple steps below.

See more: Bone Broth Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2-3 pounds chicken (whole or cut into pieces, with bones)
• 2-3 onions, quartered
• 2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into large, 2- 3-inch long pieces
• 2-3 ribs celery, cut into large, 2- 3-inch long pieces
• 2 quarts water
• Fresh or dried herbs (bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, parsley, etc.) – Use your favorite herbs, but keep in mind that less is more since the broth’s long simmering time will draw out lots of flavor.
• 10-12 peppercorns
• Sea salt, to taste

How to Make Chicken Broth

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients. Slice and chop all the ingredients and add them to a large, 10- to 12-quart stockpot or Dutch oven. Pour the water over the ingredients.

Step 2: Bring to a boil slowly over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer the broth uncovered for four hours. As you see foam rising to the top of the broth, skim it off the surface and discard it every once in a while.

Step 3: When the broth is ready, use tongs to remove the large pieces of meat. Then, using a fine mesh strainer and a large bowl, strain the chicken meat, vegetables and herbs, allowing the broth to collect in the bowl below. You can also strain the broth through a cheesecloth to remove any smaller bits of meat or vegetables. The meat can be saved for later use.

Step 4: Once the broth has cooled completely, skim the fat off the surface. You can leave a bit of fat for a richer flavor if you like.

Step 5: Enjoy! Use your broth right away or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can also keep your broth in the freezer for three months. Just pour the broth into ice cube trays and freeze. Once the cubes are frozen, pop them out of the trays and into freezer bags marked with the date. This way, you can thaw the exact amount of broth you need whenever you need it while keeping the rest frozen.

See more: How to Grow Your Own Sweet Potatoes

Ways to Use Homemade Broth

Using homemade chicken broth is a great way to add delicious, rich flavor to soups, stews, chilis and more. Warm up a cup of broth and enjoy it on its own or try it in a few of our favorite recipes, including Duck Pho, Hearty Lentil Soup, Winter Green Cure-All Soup, Kielbasa and Kale Soup, or Quick and Easy Turkey Noodle Soup.