Beef Bone Broth

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: about 8 cups broth
  • Total: 10 hr 30 min (includes cooling time)
  • Active: 1 hr
Beef bone broth is a cousin of stock-- both are made by long-simmering bones and vegetables to extract collagen, but broth also includes more flavoring agents, like star anis, ginger and salt. Sure, you can buy boxes of the stuff at the store, but homemade bone broth has the best taste and is easy to make because it is mostly hands-off. In this recipe, we roast the bones and aromatics first, which imparts a deep, caramelized flavor. Bone broth is perfect for sipping, but it also takes soups, braises, sauces and stir-fries to another level. (And because it is thicker than regular stock, it gives dishes body.) Make sure to freeze whatever you don't use in containers of different sizes so you can quickly thaw just the amount you need.
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Ingredients

8 pounds mixed beef leg bones, such as marrow and knuckle bones

Kosher salt

1 tablespoon whole allspice berries

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

8 star anise pods

4 medium carrots (about 8 ounces), cut in half

3 stalks celery (about 6 ounces), cut into thirds

3 cinnamon sticks

2 heads garlic (about 5 ounces), halved through the middle

2 medium yellow onions (about 1 pound), halved with the stem intact

1 large handle ginger (about 4 ounces), halved through the middle

2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola

3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Put the beef bones in a large, deep stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes to remove any impurities. Drain the bones and rinse them under cold water (reserve the pot). Transfer the bones to a baking sheet in an even layer and season with 2 teaspoons salt.
  3. Put the allspice berries, peppercorns, star anise pods, carrots, celery, cinnamon sticks, garlic, onions and ginger on a separate baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Place both baking sheets in the oven and bake until the vegetables are softened and golden brown and the beef bones are caramelized, about 30 minutes.
  4. Transfer the bones and vegetables back to the reserved stockpot. If there are any golden bits on either baking sheet, carefully pour 1/2 cup hot water onto them, gently scrape up with a wooden spoon and pour the water and bits into the pot. Add 1 tablespoon of the rice wine vinegar, then cover the bones and vegetables with cold water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered slightly and occasionally skimming away the foam and any fat that rises to the top, until the broth is a deep brown and as much flavor and collagen as possible has been removed from the bones, 5 to 7 hours.
  5. Strain the broth into a large heatproof bowl or storage container. Compost the bones and vegetables. Stir in the soy sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt and let cool at room temperature for 1 hour.
  6. Refrigerate, covered, until chilled and all the fat has risen to the top and hardened. Use a spoon to remove the fat from the top and compost. .
  7. To serve, heat the bone broth until heated through and no longer gelatinous. Season to taste, if desired. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Let's Get Cooking!

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