How To Make Instant Pot Bone Broth
As someone who values a nourishing and wholesome diet, I’ve found that making bone broth in my Instant Pot is not just a culinary adventure but also a wellness journey. Bone broth is a timeless elixir, celebrated for its myriad of health benefits. Join me on this flavorful exploration as we delve into the art of crafting nutrient-rich Instant Pot bone broth effortlessly using the convenience of this amazing kitchen equipment.
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The Benefits of Bone Broth
Before we dive into the kitchen, let’s explore the treasure trove of benefits that bone broth offers. Rich in collagen, amino acids, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, bone broth is a powerhouse for promoting gut health, boosting the immune system, and enhancing skin elasticity. It’s a comforting sip that also supports joint health, making it an essential addition to any well-rounded diet.
Instant Pot Love Affair
I would be lying if I said I didn’t use my Instant pot for literally everything. Using it to make bone broth has many advantageous, making this essential kitchen equipment (at least in my opinion) even more advantageous.
Accelerated Nutrient Extraction
The Instant Pot’s hallmark feature lies in its ability to expedite the extraction of nutrients from bones and ingredients. What might traditionally demand hours of simmering on the stovetop is achieved in a fraction of the time thanks to the Instant Pot’s high-pressure cooking environment. This not only intensifies the flavor but also ensures that the resulting bone broth is densely packed with essential minerals and collagen, contributing to its robust nutritional composition.
Gelatinous Perfection
A defining characteristic of well-crafted bone broth is its gelatinous texture, a product of collagen breakdown during cooking. The Instant Pot, with its sealed environment and high pressure, optimizes this breakdown, resulting in a lusciously thick and gelatinous broth. Beyond the pleasing mouthfeel, this texture signifies a high concentration of collagen, promoting joint health and skin elasticity.
The Art of Ingredient Selection
The magic of bone broth lies in the careful selection of ingredients. Start with a high-quality animal carcass, preferably grass-fed or pasture-raised to maximize nutritional content. While bones are the foundation, consider adding ingredients like:
- Vegetables: Carrots, celery, and onions add depth and flavor.
- Herbs: Bay leaves, thyme, and parsley introduce aromatic notes.
- Acidic Elements: A splash of apple cider vinegar helps extract nutrients from the bones.
- Spices: Black peppercorns and a pinch of sea salt enhance the overall taste.
- Immune enhancing herbs: Echinacea, astragalus, turmeric, garlic and oregano can all help enhance the medicinal benefits of bone broth.
Each ingredient contributes not only to the broth’s structure and flavor but also brings its unique nutritional benefits to the table.
Crafting Your Bone Broth Masterpiece
Let’s embark on the journey of creating a soul-soothing bone broth in your Instant Pot. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started, but experiment with different ingredients to your liking!
Instant Pot Bone Broth
Equipment
- Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds of grass-fed beef or pasture-raised chicken bones
- 2 carrots roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
- 1 large onion quartered
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- A handful of fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- Sea salt to taste
- Water
Instructions
- Rinse the bones under cold water and place them in the Instant Pot. Add chopped vegetables, bay leaves, apple cider vinegar, parsley, peppercorns, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Pour enough water into the pot to cover the bones and vegetables, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, set it to “Sealing,” and pressure cook on high for 120 minutes for beef bones or 90 minutes for chicken bones.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure. Once safe, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.
- Let the broth cool before transferring it to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
Preserving Instant Pot Bone Broth
Both broth makes a great kitchen staple to have on the pantry shelf. Preserving bone broth can be done with a few different methods.
Freezing
- Allow your bone broth to cool to room temperature.
- Divide the broth into airtight, freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags.
- Leave some headroom in containers or bags to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label each container or bag with the date and type of broth.
- Place the containers or bags in the freezer.
- Lay bags flat for easy storage and quicker thawing.
Canning
Canning bone broth allows you to keep precious freezer space available for other things and gives you a product that is more easily used. We have step-by-step canning instructions over on our post for making bone broth in the crockpot.
Conclusion
Crafting your bone broth in the Instant Pot is a rewarding and simple way to infuse your diet with a nutrient-rich elixir. Experiment with different ingredients to tailor the flavor to your liking, and enjoy the holistic benefits that this ancient remedy brings to your table. Cheers to your health and happy cooking!
