How to make turkey stock from your Thanksgiving turkey carcass (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to make stock from turkey bones? ›

Pour over enough cold water to generously cover all the ingredients. Bring the stock to the boil, scooping off any froth that forms on the surface, then turn down the heat and simmer everything gently for 3 hrs. Turn off the heat, leave the stock to cool slightly, then carefully strain into a container.

Once the stock is boiling, fill each jar leaving 1 inch head space at the top. Wipe the rim with a damp cloth, put on the lid, and adjust ring to finger-tight. Using the jar-lifter tongs, gently place each jar into the simmering canner making sure the jars do not touch each other or the sides of the canner.

If properly stored in the refrigerator, a turkey carcass will last for up to 1 week. Perfect for making turkey soup from a carcass! How long is turkey soup good for? Leftover turkey noodle soup will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Making turkey stock is a great way to use what you have on hand post-Thanksgiving. It's easy and economical: Almost all leftover parts of the bird can be put to use, including the bones, the skin, and small bits of meat attached to the carcass.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for at least 10-12 hours, or until reduced by 1/3 or 1/2, leaving you with 6-8 cups of bone broth. The more it reduces, the more intense the flavor becomes and the more collagen is extracted. We find 12 hours to be the perfect cook time.

However, it is important to note that using raw bones can result in a slightly different flavor and consistency compared to using cooked bones. When using raw chicken bones to make bone broth, it is important to first roast them in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350°F (180°C) to enhance their flavor and richness.

I add a little vinegar to my stocks to help pull the minerals from the bones, creating a nutrient-rich stock. Place all of the ingredients into a very large stainless steel pot, at least 12-quart, if not larger. You will want to add enough water to just cover the turkey and vegetables.

It is a true superfood. Cooking with stock that has been made from scratch is the secret ingredient of every ancestral chef. The bones and meat are simmered for a long time to draw every bit of flavor from them, along with the collagen and nutrients.

Is Broth Different from Stock? There is one major difference between broth and stock: Broth is made from meat and vegetables, but stock is made with bones. While both are flavorful, broth tends to be thinner. It's cooked for less time, and it doesn't contain stock's thick, viscous texture.

Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.

How do you know when turkey stock is done? ›

Finishing the Stock

When strained and chilled, the stock should set like jelly, a sign you've done it right.

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

To make homemade chicken stock, place chicken bones, vegetables, herbs and spices into a large pot. Cover with cold water then simmer for about 3 hours. Let it cool, then skim the fat. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

You can use both the raw neck and the leftover turkey carcass pieces to make this stock! It doesn't matter if some of the meat is left on the bones (and can even enhance the flavor of the stock).

A great deal of recipes for making meat stocks recommend adding vegetables in the last hour of cooking. An even greater deal of recipes adds them at the beginning, together with the meat. I have done it both ways and find that latter approach produces more concentrated flavors.

I leave it going on the stove overnight or even when I'm out, since it is one the most minimal simmer. Alternatively, bone broth can also be made in a pressure cooker much more quickly, in 3-5 hours.

The bigger the bones, the longer it takes to extract the flavor, so a good beef stock might cook for 6 to 8 hours or even longer, a chicken stock would cook a good 4 to 6 hours. Fish and vegetable stock would even cook for 1 to 2 hours.

Poultry bones should simmer for at least 8 hours or 12 hours for beef bones; less than that will likely not draw substantial amounts of nutrients or gelatin out. However, to get the maximum health benefits poultry bones can cook for 24 to 48 hours, while beef bones can cook 48 to 72 hours or until bones are soft.

To help the bones dissolve, add a dash of acidic apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Toss in a carrot or onion for more nuanced flavor. Bring the water to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and gently simmer for 12 to 24, or even 36 hours.