6 Best Bone Broths of 2025, Recommended by a Nutritionist

Tested by Christine Byrne

It wasn’t so long ago that bone broths were just another unsexy pantry staple — great for adding to recipes like soups, stews and gravies, but never considered a standalone item. Thanks to the wellness world’s wholehearted embrace of protein, the bone broth category has gotten extremely competitive. Now, there are a variety of chef-inspired flavors, and you can choose powdered or liquid broths based on which seems more convenient to you.

I’d be lying if I said that every bone broth available is unique and innovative. I tasted over a dozen different bone broths for this test, and frankly, it was hard to tell the difference between a handful of them. (Since most are pretty high in sodium with around 400-500 milligrams per cup, I also felt my blood pressure rise as the taste testing went on). But some of the broths edged out the others for various reasons, from protein content to taste to convenience. Here are the six best.

How We Tested

I tested over a dozen bone broths, including various flavors in both powdered and liquid forms. Each one was prepared according to the package directions (if there were any), then sipped warm. Here’s what I took into consideration when testing each bone broth:

• Ease of use: I assessed how easy the bone broths were to prepare and considered the number of dishes they required. For example, the powdered versions required both a cup or bowl for heating and a utensil for mixing, while the liquid versions just needed to be heated in a cup or bowl.
• Texture and consistency: I noted whether the bone broths had an unpleasant sediment or grittiness. For powders, I paid attention to whether they dissolved easily into hot water or clumped (spoiler: many of them clumped and were therefore disqualified). I also asked myself if they had a good mouthfeel (some felt a little bit “slippery” in my mouth, probably because of too much collagen).
• Taste: I assessed if they actually tasted like chicken or beef, what the seasoning levels were and whether additional ingredients added or took away from the overall flavor.
• Clean-up: I paid attention to whether the bone broths left any residue or staining on the cup or bowl, and if so, whether it was hard to remove.
• The amount of protein: Most brands have about 10 grams per cup, so anything much less than that was disqualified. (Trader Joe’s Chicken Broth tastes amazing, but only has one gram of protein per cup).
• The amount of sodium: Bone broth is far from a low-sodium food, and most options had 400-500 milligrams per cup. Anything below that range got extra points, and anything above that range got points taken away.

FAQs

What is bone broth?

Bone broth is a clear soup made by simmering the bones of any animal in water, sometimes with other ingredients like aromatic vegetables, herbs, and spices. The longer the bones simmer, the more collagen the broth will contain.

What are the health benefits of bone broth?

As is true with all foods, there’s nothing magical about bone broth. It's pretty high in protein, with about 10 grams per cup, while also being low in fat and free from added sugar. Because it’s easy to sip, it can be helpful if you struggle to meet your daily protein needs at meals.

What’s the deal with collagen?

Look at the packaging of a popular bone broth, and you’ll probably see that it brags about containing some amount of collagen, a type of protein that’s derived from bones and connective tissue. Our bodies make collagen by breaking down the proteins we eat, and that collagen is important for the health and appearance of our skin, hair and nails.

While collagen is important in our bodies, there’s not necessarily a special benefit to consuming collagen in supplements or foods (like bone broth), since it gets fully broken down during digestion. It’s not bad, it just acts the same as any other type of protein we eat.

Can you cook with bone broth?

Yes, you can cook with bone broth. Use it in any recipe that calls for broth or stock. It has significantly more protein than many traditional stocks, so it’s a great way to add more protein to your recipes.

What should you look for when shopping for bone broth?

The best bone broth option depends on your needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to look at the sodium content of bone broth before buying, since some brands contain upwards of 500 milligrams per cup. (The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium to 2300 milligrams per day). If you’re trying bone broth because you want to add protein to your diet, look for one with 10 grams of protein or more per serving.

How do you store bone broth?

While the storing instructions on some types of bone broths may vary, and it’s always best to check the packaging, most liquid bone broths can be stored in the pantry (or another cool, dry place until they’re opened, then in the refrigerator after opening. Powdered bone broths can be stored in the pantry, or another cool, dry place like a desk drawer.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, is a registered dietitian, trained chef and food journalist. She has been a contributing writer at Food Network since 2019, but started her food writing career in 2012 at various publications like BuzzFeed and Self Magazine. As a dietitian, Christine owns Ruby Oak Nutrition, a group private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina that helps clients overcome eating disorders and disordered eating. Using her registered dietitian credentials and extensive writing experience, Christine aims to write about nutrition in an accessible and digestible way.

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