The Bare Bones on Turkey Broth The quick answer
Turkey bone broth is savory, a touch sweeter than chicken, and the perfect use for a leftover roast carcass. It offers the same collagen, protein, and comfort as other bone broths, and the already-roasted frame makes an especially rich, generous batch with very little extra effort.
- Savory and slightly sweeter than chicken, with a deeper, roasted flavor.
- A source of collagen and protein, like every bone broth.
- The best possible use for a leftover holiday turkey carcass.
- Freezes well, so one big batch can last into the new year.
- Simmers about 12 to 24 hours for a large, sturdy frame.
Turkey bone broth is the natural next step after a holiday roast. The leftover carcass, already browned in the oven, brings a deep, savory flavor that other broths have to work for. Here is what it offers, how it compares, and an easy method for a big, freezer-friendly batch.
Why Turkey Bone Broth Is Worth Making
A roasted turkey frame is a head start. The oven has already built deep, savory flavor, so a long simmer mostly needs to pull out the collagen and minerals. Turkey broth lands a little sweeter and rounder than chicken, and because the carcass is large, one pot makes a generous batch. It is the definition of using what you already have.
Turkey Bone Broth Benefits and Nutrition
Like every bone broth, turkey broth is a low-calorie source of collagen, protein, and small amounts of minerals. Its benefits are broadly the same as other types, so for the full, sourced picture, see our guide to bone broth benefits. The most dependable draw is the protein.
“Bone broth can benefit anyone looking to increase their protein intake.”
Lindsey Wohlford, wellness dietitian, MD Anderson Cancer Center
As with every broth, the exact numbers vary with the bones and the cook, so an independent analysis is a good reminder to treat turkey broth as a nourishing food rather than a precisely dosed supplement.
How to Make Turkey Bone Broth
Break the roasted carcass down so it fits your pot, and add any wings or necks you saved. Cover with cold water, add a splash of vinegar, and simmer gently. A turkey frame is large and sturdy, so give it twelve to twenty-four hours for the richest result. Onion, carrot, celery, and a bay leaf near the end round it out. Strain, cool, and you have a generous batch to sip or freeze.
Storing and Using It
Turkey broth freezes beautifully, which is what makes a post-holiday batch so practical: portion it into containers or ice cube trays and it will keep for months. For ways to drink it, cook with it, and store it safely, see how to use bone broth.
A Note on Safety
Turkey bone broth is a safe everyday food for most people. Watch the sodium in store-bought versions, and if you are pregnant, nursing, feeding a baby, or managing a health condition, check with a professional first. This page is information, not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make turkey bone broth from a leftover carcass?
Yes, and it is the best use for one. A roasted turkey frame already carries deep flavor, so it makes an especially rich broth with very little extra work.
How is turkey bone broth different from chicken?
Turkey is a little deeper and sweeter, with a more robust, roasted flavor. Nutritionally the two are very similar.
How long does turkey bone broth take to make?
A large turkey frame benefits from a long cook, usually twelve to twenty-four hours, to draw out the collagen.
Can you freeze turkey bone broth?
Yes. Cool it fully, then freeze in portions or ice cube trays. It keeps for several months, so a holiday batch lasts well into the new year.
Is turkey bone broth healthy?
It is a nourishing, low-calorie source of protein and collagen, and a comforting warm drink. Like all bone broth, it supports a balanced diet rather than replacing one.
Sources & References
Independent, third-party sources. No brand-funded or competitor-commissioned studies are cited as evidence; where cited research was industry-funded, that is noted in the text.
[1] Rahimi N, Launico MV. “Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis.” StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf, U.S. National Institutes of Health. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709/
[2] “Is Bone Broth Good for You?” (Lindsey Wohlford, RD). MD Anderson Cancer Center. www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/is-bone-broth-good-for-you.h00-159694389.html
[3] Alcock RD, Shaw GC, Burke LM. “Bone Broth Unlikely to Provide Reliable Concentrations of Collagen Precursors.” Int. J. Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 2019. doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0139
[4] “Bone Broth: Benefits, How To Make and Nutrition.” Cleveland Clinic. health.clevelandclinic.org/bone-broth-benefits