Unlock a world of rich flavor and incredible health benefits with homemade Instant Pot Bone Broth. This deeply nourishing elixir is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile, serving as the perfect foundation for countless culinary creations, from robust soups and savory sauces to flavorful risottos and pasta dishes. Say goodbye to store-bought broth and embrace the ease of making a nutrient-dense batch right in your pressure cooker.
Mastering Bone Broth in Your Instant Pot
If you’re already an Instant Pot enthusiast, you’ve likely experienced its magic for whipping up delectable dishes like tender baby back ribs, a perfectly roasted whole chicken, or even hearty beans with a smoky ham hock. But what becomes of the precious bones left behind after these culinary adventures? Instead of discarding them, transform these flavorful remnants into a golden liquid gold: Instant Pot Bone Broth.
Homemade bone broth is a staple in my kitchen, enhancing nearly every recipe that calls for stock or broth. Its unparalleled depth of flavor elevates everything it touches, adding a richness that simply can’t be replicated with store-bought alternatives. Beyond its culinary prowess, we often reach for a comforting mug of hot bone broth when we’re feeling under the weather, appreciating its soothing and nourishing properties.
The Instant Pot makes bone broth preparation remarkably simple and hands-off. Unlike traditional stovetop methods that require constant monitoring and hours of simmering, your pressure cooker handles the hard work. You can set it, walk away, and return to a pot full of liquid gold, extracted efficiently and effectively.
The Undeniable Health Benefits of Homemade Bone Broth
Bone broth isn’t just a flavorful cooking liquid; it’s a nutritional powerhouse lauded for its wide array of health benefits. Over centuries, various cultures have recognized its restorative qualities, and modern science is now catching up to validate these traditional beliefs. When you make bone broth, you’re extracting vital compounds from bones, connective tissues, and marrow, resulting in a nutrient-dense elixir.
Supporting Gut Health and Digestion
One of the most celebrated benefits of bone broth is its positive impact on gut health. It’s rich in gelatin, which, when cooked, breaks down into collagen. Collagen contains amino acids like glutamine, proline, and glycine. Glutamine is particularly crucial for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining, often referred to as the “gut barrier.” A healthy gut barrier prevents undigested food particles and toxins from leaking into the bloodstream, a condition known as “leaky gut.” By supporting a strong gut lining, bone broth can aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and help alleviate symptoms of various digestive issues.
Joint Health and Mobility
The collagen and gelatin in bone broth are also fantastic for joint health. Collagen is a primary component of cartilage, the rubbery tissue that protects your joints. As we age, our natural collagen production decreases, leading to joint stiffness and pain. Consuming bone broth provides the building blocks for new collagen, potentially helping to repair and maintain cartilage, reduce joint pain, and improve overall mobility. Additionally, it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds often found in supplements aimed at supporting joint function.
Nourishing Skin, Hair, and Nails
Want glowing skin, strong nails, and lustrous hair? Collagen is your answer. It’s the most abundant protein in the body, providing structure and elasticity to skin. Regular consumption of bone broth can help improve skin hydration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and promote a youthful complexion. It also contributes to stronger nails that are less prone to breaking and healthier, more vibrant hair.
Immune System Support
A healthy gut is intrinsically linked to a strong immune system. Since bone broth supports gut health, it indirectly boosts immunity. The amino acids and minerals extracted from the bones, such as zinc, magnesium, and calcium, are also essential for various immune functions. During cold and flu season, a warm mug of bone broth can be incredibly comforting and provide a gentle, natural way to support your body’s defenses.
Detoxification and Liver Support
Glycine, another amino acid abundant in bone broth, plays a crucial role in the body’s detoxification processes, particularly in the liver. It helps the liver efficiently process and eliminate toxins, supporting overall detoxification pathways and promoting a cleaner, healthier internal environment.
Incorporating Instant Pot Bone Broth into your diet is an easy and delicious way to tap into these profound health benefits, making it much more than just a cooking ingredient.
Do the Bones Need to be Cooked Before Making Bone Broth?
For the absolute best results and a profoundly rich flavor, the answer is a resounding yes: it is highly recommended to roast your bones or use bones from previously cooked meats. While you can certainly make a lighter broth with raw bones, pre-cooking or roasting them before simmering in the Instant Pot brings out a depth of flavor that is simply unmatched. Roasting caramelizes the bones and any meat remnants, adding a complex, savory dimension to your broth.
The first step in making exceptional bone broth is to start a bone collection! I always keep a designated bag in my freezer for leftover bones from roasted chickens, turkey carcasses, beef ribs, or any other bone-in cuts of meat we enjoy. My family, Paul and Bryen, now know that once their delicious meal is complete, “The Bone Collector” (that’s me!) will be making rounds with a freezer bag. This sustainable practice ensures that no valuable nutrients go to waste and provides a steady supply for your next batch of homemade broth. When I have accumulated enough bones to fill my Instant Pot at least halfway, I know it’s time to make broth.
If you’re using raw bones, such as from a butcher, I suggest roasting them first. Spread the bones on a baking sheet and roast at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until they are nicely browned. This crucial step is key to developing that deep, robust flavor that sets homemade bone broth apart.
The Instant Pot Advantage: Speed and Efficiency
Traditionally, bone broth can take upwards of 12 to 24 hours to simmer on the stovetop or in a slow cooker to extract all the valuable nutrients and flavor. While these methods are effective, they require significant time and energy consumption. This is where the Instant Pot truly shines.
The high-pressure environment of the Instant Pot drastically reduces the cooking time required for bone broth. What might take a full day on the stove can be achieved in a fraction of the time. My Instant Pot Bone Broth recipe requires just 3 hours of active pressure cooking, followed by a crucial 1-hour natural pressure release (NPR). This means your total hands-off time is around 4 to 5 hours from start to finish. The pressure helps to break down the bones and connective tissues more efficiently, ensuring maximum extraction of collagen, gelatin, protein, marrow, and all those beneficial minerals and amino acids.
Beyond the bones, I love to add a selection of aromatics and other ingredients to further enhance the flavor and nutritional profile of my bone broth. While every batch might vary slightly based on the bones and vegetables I have on hand, the core process remains the same, yielding a consistently rich and flavorful result. Experiment with your own additions and enjoy the journey of creating a truly personalized broth!
A Quick Note on Storage: I typically store my bone broth in mason jars in the refrigerator for immediate use or freeze it in sturdy freezer bags or silicone molds for longer preservation. I do not recommend canning bone broth in a conventional Instant Pot, as most models are not designed for safe pressure canning.
You might also like these Instant Pot recipes:
- Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup)
- Instant Pot Beef Barley Vegetable Soup
- Sandy’s Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Ham Hock and Bean Soup
Instant Pot Bone Broth
Instant Pot Bone Broth is a rich and flavorful broth made from leftover bones. Cooked for several hours under pressure, the bones will soften and release collagen, protein, marrow, and more!
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- Bones* (any kind, previously cooked)
- Water** (enough to just cover bones)
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Large Yellow Onion, cut in quarters or eighths to fit in pot
- 5 cloves Garlic, smashed
- 2 Bay Leaves
Other Options
- 1-2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar***
- 2 Carrots, cut in large pieces
- 1 Rib Celery, cut in large pieces
- Herbs, whatever you like (e.g., parsley, thyme)
- 2 inch Knob Fresh Ginger, chopped
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients into the inner liner of your Instant Pot.
- **Add just enough water to cover the bones. Ensure you do not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum fill line.
- Close the lid, and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
- Press the Manual (or Pressure Cook) button or dial, then adjust the time using the +/- button or dial until you reach 180 minutes (3 hours). If your Instant Pot model’s maximum time is 120 minutes, use that setting.
- After the cook cycle ends, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 1 hour. You can let it natural pressure release longer if desired. If you’re in a hurry after the initial hour, you can very carefully perform a manual pressure release.
- Allow the broth to cool slightly. Once safe to handle, carefully remove the bones and large aromatics from the pot using a slotted spoon or a stainless steel spider.
- Strain the remaining liquid contents of the pot through a fine-mesh strainer into mason jars or other sealable containers. You may notice some sediment at the bottom, which is perfectly normal. For an even clearer broth, you can strain it again through a finer mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or even coffee filters.
Notes
- *You will want to fill your Instant Pot at least halfway with bones for a rich broth.
- **Always observe your Instant Pot’s maximum fill line. I typically fill below this line to be safe. Please use caution when dealing with hot liquids and pressure.
- ***Apple Cider Vinegar is not absolutely necessary, but some believe it helps to draw more minerals from the bones.
- For this recipe, I used an 8-quart Instant Pot, but a 6-quart model can also be used effectively to make bone broth.
- Calories are approximate and will vary based on the type and amount of bones, as well as any additional ingredients used.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so it should only be used as an approximation and is subject to variation based on ingredients and preparation.