No matter what type of soup you’re eating, it has broth. Some soups don’t just have regular broth though. Some of them are made with bone broth. What separates bone broth from other types of broth is the fact that it has had some sort of animal bones simmering in it. Do you know what the key ingredients for a perfect bone broth are?
Bones
As the name suggests, you must have some sort of bones to create a bone broth. Chicken and beef are some of the most common types of broth, but they aren’t the only ones. You can make bone broth from turkey bones, pork bones, lamb bones, and fish bones too. Roast the bones first for best results. Adding an acidic component, such as apple cider vinegar, helps you get more mineral content from the bones. Make sure the bones you use will fit nicely in the slow cooker you’re using.
Vegetables
Bones by themselves aren’t enough to make a perfect bone broth. If you really want to amp up the nutritional value of your broth, adding vegetables to simmer is a must. Not only will the vegetables add valuable nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals, they’ll also add flavor to your broth. As an added bonus, this is a great way to use up extra vegetables or vegetable trim you might have left over from making other dishes. Carrots, onions, garlic, celery, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes are just some of the vegetables you can add to your bone broth to give it added flavor and nutritional value.
Seasoning
Vegetables and bones by themselves can make a decent bone broth. If you really want yours to be perfect though, you need to add seasonings. Salt and pepper are pretty simple and pretty standard, but that’s the case for a reason. A little salt and pepper can go such a long way towards creating a delicious, flavorful broth. Other popular seasonings include herbs like bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, parsley, savory, sage, and basil. Turmeric, cayenne pepper, and ginger can also be added for extra flavor and possibly even some nutritional benefits. Just make sure that you choose your seasonings based on the type of bone broth you’re trying to make and the flavor you’re trying to create by the end of it.
Not all broths are created equal. If you want a broth that packs extra nutrients like protein, glycine, gelatin, and more, what you really want is a bone broth. Whether you want chicken, turkey, beef, or something else, as long as you have your bones, vegetables, and seasonings, you’re on the right track for an excellent bone broth.
Do you love soup? Read this next: Why Is Soup Such an Amazing Cold Weather Lunch?
