Quick Answer
- A quality store-bought bone broth gels when chilled, lists real protein, and uses well-sourced bones.
- Check the protein number, the sodium, and the ingredient list; the fewer extras, the better.
- Look for grass-fed beef or pasture-raised poultry and avoid added sugars and fillers.
- Powders and concentrates are convenient alternatives to cartons; pick the form that fits your routine.
Not all store-bought bone broths are created equal, and knowing what to look for makes all the difference between a rich, nourishing product and a thin, watery one. The good news is that a few simple checks, mostly on the label, will steer you to a quality broth every time. Here is how to choose well, whatever brand or form you are buying.
Convenience is the whole point of buying broth rather than making it, so the goal is to find a ready-made option that genuinely delivers, without the long simmer at home.
Check the Protein Number First
The single most telling number on the label is protein. Because most of the protein in bone broth comes from dissolved collagen, a higher protein number usually signals a richer, more collagen heavy broth. A real bone broth typically shows several grams of protein per serving, while a thin product or a plain broth shows little. If the protein is low, the broth is likely closer to a basic stock. Our guide to does bone broth have protein explains why this number matters so much.
Look for the Gel
The clearest sign of a quality broth is whether it gels when chilled. A collagen rich broth sets into a soft, wobbly gel in the fridge, which melts back to liquid when warmed. Some brands even mention this on the packaging. If you can tell from reviews or the brand’s description that a broth gels, that is a strong indicator you are getting the real, collagen rich thing. Our guide to does bone broth have collagen covers why the gel forms.
Mind the Sodium
Sodium varies enormously between products, from modest to quite high. For most people a moderate amount is fine, but if you drink broth daily or are watching your salt for blood pressure or another reason, check the label and consider a lower-sodium option. A lightly seasoned or unsalted broth also gives you control, since you can season it yourself to taste. We discuss this further in bone broth side effects and how much bone broth to drink a day.
Read the Ingredient List
A great bone broth has a short, recognizable ingredient list: bones, water, vegetables, herbs, vinegar, and salt. Be wary of added sugars, artificial flavors, and unnecessary fillers, which have no place in a quality broth. The simpler and more natural the list, the better. If a product leans heavily on flavorings to taste like broth, it may be thin on the actual bone-derived goodness you are paying for.
Prioritize Quality Sourcing
Where the bones come from matters. Look for broths made from grass-fed beef or pasture-raised poultry, which tend to make a cleaner, better-tasting broth from animals raised to a higher standard. Many quality brands highlight their sourcing, since it is a genuine selling point. This is especially worth prioritizing if you will be drinking broth often or serving it to your family. Our guide to the best bones for bone broth explains why sourcing shapes the final cup.
Cartons, Powders, or Concentrates?
Store-bought broth comes in several forms, each with its strengths. Refrigerated or shelf-stable cartons are ready to heat and sip. Powders and concentrates store easily, travel well, and let you make a cup on demand by adding hot water. A bone broth protein powder is the most protein-dense option. None is best overall; it comes down to your routine. The various forms of bone broth page lays out the options so you can match the form to your needs.
Choosing the Type That Suits You
Beyond quality, pick the animal you enjoy. A rich beef bone broth is deep and hearty, while a lighter chicken bone broth is mild and versatile, and there are other options like turkey and pork too. If you are buying broth to sip daily, choose a flavor you look forward to; if it is mainly for cooking, match it to the dishes you make. Our types of bone broth overview compares them all so you can choose with confidence.
A Simple Buying Checklist
To pull it together, a quality store-bought bone broth has a real protein number, gels or is described as gelling, uses well-sourced grass-fed or pasture-raised bones, keeps a short and natural ingredient list, avoids added sugars and fillers, and carries a sodium level that suits how you will use it. Run through that quick checklist and you will rarely be disappointed. Once you have found a broth you like, our guides to how to use bone broth and how to store bone broth will help you make the most of it.
Refrigerated, Shelf-Stable, or Frozen?
Store-bought broth comes in a few formats, and each suits a different shopper. Refrigerated cartons are often the richest and closest to homemade, ready to heat and sip. Shelf-stable cartons and pouches are convenient to keep in the cupboard for whenever you need them. Frozen broths can be excellent too, since freezing preserves quality well. None is automatically best; choose based on how quickly you will use it and how much pantry or freezer space you have. Whatever you pick, the quality checks of protein, sourcing, and a clean ingredient list still apply.
Matching the Broth to How You’ll Use It
Think about what you want the broth for before you buy. If you plan to sip it daily, choose a flavor you genuinely enjoy and a sodium level that suits regular drinking; a milder chicken bone broth is an easy everyday option, while a rich beef bone broth is more of a hearty treat. If it is mainly for cooking, an unsalted or lightly seasoned broth gives you the most control over your dishes. Buying with the use in mind means you end up with a product you actually reach for rather than one that sits unused.
Reading Reviews and Trying a Few
Because broths vary so much, it is worth trying a couple of brands to find one you like. Reviews and the brand’s own description can tell you whether a broth gels, how rich it is, and how it tastes, which helps you narrow the field before you buy. Once you find a quality broth that fits your taste and routine, you can stick with it confidently. Our guides to how to use bone broth and the types of bone broth can help you decide what to look for and which animal suits you best.
A Quick Shopping Checklist
To make choosing easy, keep a short mental checklist as you shop. Scan the protein number first, since several grams per serving signals a genuinely collagen-rich broth rather than a thin stock. Check whether the broth is described as gelling, which is another strong sign of quality. Read the ingredient list and favor short, natural ones, avoiding added sugars and unnecessary fillers. Look for grass-fed beef or pasture-raised poultry, and pick a sodium level that suits how you will use it.
Beyond the label, let how you plan to use the broth guide your pick. For everyday sipping, choose a flavor you enjoy, whether a mild chicken bone broth or a richer beef bone broth; for cooking, an unsalted or lightly seasoned broth gives you the most control. Trying a couple of brands is the surest way to land on one you genuinely look forward to, and once you do, our guides to how to store bone broth and how to use bone broth will help you get the most from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a store-bought bone broth?
Check for a real protein number, whether it gels when chilled, well-sourced grass-fed or pasture-raised bones, a short and natural ingredient list, no added sugars, and a sodium level that suits how you will use it.
Is store-bought bone broth as good as homemade?
A quality store-bought broth can be excellent and is far more convenient. The key is choosing one with real protein, good sourcing, and few additives, since products vary widely.
How can I tell if a store-bought bone broth is high quality?
The protein number and whether it gels are the best clues, since both reflect collagen content. A short, natural ingredient list and quality sourcing round out a good product.
Why is the protein number important?
Most of the protein in bone broth comes from collagen, so a higher protein number usually means a richer, more collagen-heavy broth. A low number suggests a thin product closer to a basic stock.
Should I buy liquid, powder, or concentrate?
It depends on your routine. Cartons are ready to heat, while powders and concentrates store easily and make a cup on demand. A bone broth protein powder is the most protein-dense option.