Bone Broth: The Liquid Gold Your Body Needs

There’s something deeply satisfying about a pot of bone broth simmering away on the stove. Maybe it’s the rich aroma, the warmth it brings on a cold day, or the fact that it just feels like real food. But beyond the comfort factor, bone broth is a powerhouse of nutrition—something we’ve all but lost in our modern, ultra-processed food culture.

And before you ask—yes, there is a difference between stock, broth, and bone broth. Let’s clear that up first.

Stock, Broth, and Bone Broth: What’s the Difference?

Broth – This is made by simmering meat, sometimes with bones, for a few hours. It’s light, mild in flavor, and great for cooking.

Stock – Made by simmering bones (often roasted) with aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery for a longer time, extracting a deeper flavor and some collagen.

Bone Broth – The MVP of them all. Bone broth is simmered for a long time (12-48 hours) to extract not just flavor but also collagen, minerals, and amino acids—including glycine, which plays a major role in gut health, detox, and hormone balance.

So while broth and stock are great for adding flavor to dishes, traditional bone broth is where the real health benefits come into play.

Why Bone Broth is a Game-Changer for Health

Bone broth isn’t just some trendy wellness drink—it’s a staple in traditional diets across cultures. And for good reason. Here’s what it brings to the table:

🌿 Rich in Glycine – This amino acid is crucial for gut health, detoxification, and neurotransmitter function. It also plays a key role in balancing hormones, particularly estrogen and cortisol.

🌿 Collagen for Skin, Joints & Gut – Bone broth is loaded with collagen, which supports skin elasticity, strengthens joints, and helps heal the gut lining.

🌿 Supports Hormonal Rhythm – Glycine and gelatin help regulate sleep and stress hormones, supporting deep rest and stable energy throughout the day.

🌿 Balances Blood Sugar – Bone broth provides steady nourishment without spiking blood sugar, making it a great addition to meals (or even as a stand-alone snack).

🌿 Boosts Immunity & Recovery – Packed with minerals like magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, it supports immune function and helps your body recover from stress, workouts, or illness.

How to Incorporate Bone Broth into Weekly Meals

Not sure how to use it? Here are a few easy ways to get more broth into your life:

🥣 Sip it straight – Warm up a mug with a pinch of sea salt for a morning or evening ritual.

🍲 Use it as a base for soups & stews – Perfect for hearty winter meals.

🍛 Cook grains in it – Swap water for broth when making rice, quinoa, or lentils.

🍳 Add it to sauces & gravies – Deepens flavor and adds a nutritional boost.

🥩 Deglaze pans with it – A little splash in a hot pan brings out amazing flavor.

My Go-To Bone Broth Recipe

Making bone broth isn’t complicated, and the best part? It’s practically free if you’re already roasting whole chickens. Here’s how I do it:

🫗 8 quarts of filtered water

🍗 2 roasted chicken carcasses (plus the fat/drippings from roasting)

🍎 ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from the bones)

1. Bring everything to a boil in a large pot. Cover and let it simmer all day.

2. At night, turn off the heat and let it sit.

3. The next morning, bring it back to a rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer with the lid off. Let it cook low and slow all day.

4. That evening, bring it to a final boil and can it in wide-mouth quart jars.

5. Store in the fridge and use throughout the week!

Traditional foods like bone broth are not just about nutrition—they’re about rhythm, restoration, and balance. When we return to these time-tested practices, we support our bodies in ways that modern convenience foods never could.

So, if you haven’t started making bone broth yet, now’s the time. Your hormones, gut, and joints will thank you.