Bone broth—also known as stock—is the nourishing foundation of any truly delicious soup. Once you learn how easy and affordable it is to make at home, you may never go back to store-bought options again.

Why Homemade Bone Broth is Better

Not only is bone broth incredibly budget-friendly, but it's also packed with healing nutrients. You can make it from leftover chicken carcasses after a roast or purchase a bag of organic beef bones from your local butcher. Roast them first for added flavour, then simmer to extract all the goodness.

The Gut-Healing Benefits of Bone Broth

When you slow cook bones over several hours, they release a powerful protein called gelatin. Gelatin plays a key role in gut health by helping to “heal and seal” the gut lining. It does this by tightening gap junctions in the intestinal wall, which can reduce intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut).

A stronger gut lining can support better digestion and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation—a root cause of many conditions including:

Allergies
Skin issues (like eczema or acne)
Autoimmune disorders
Mental health challenges (like anxiety and depression)
IBS and other digestive concerns

What Makes Bone Broth So Nutritious?

The long simmering time breaks down the bones, tendons, and cartilage, releasing beneficial nutrients like:

Collagen – Supports skin, hair, nails, and joints
Glucosamine & Chondroitin – Commonly found in supplements for joint pain and arthritis
Amino Acids – Including lysine, proline, and glycine, which help rebuild tissue, boost immunity, and support detoxification

Immune-Boosting Power

Bone broth is rich in immune-supportive amino acids. Lysine, for example, helps your body create antibodies that fight off viral and bacterial infections. Regularly drinking bone broth may help reduce the severity of colds and flu, while supporting your body’s natural defense systems.

Key Takeaway

Homemade bone broth is a powerful, nutrient-rich remedy for supporting gut health, immune function, joint support, and skin repair. It's affordable, easy to make, and full of healing properties that store-bought versions often lack.

Whether you’re sipping it daily, using it as a base for soups, or adding it to sauces and grains, bone broth is a timeless addition to any holistic kitchen.

Recipe for homemade beef bone broth

Makes 3 litres of broth

Ingredients:

1.5 kg organic beef bones

2 onions, peeled, quartered

2 carrots, roughly chopped

5 garlic cloves

2 chillies

2 handfuls of thyme

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 tbsp whole peppercorns

1/2 tbsp coriander seeds

5 tbsp apple cider vinegar

cold water

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1. Preheat oven to 210°C. In a tray add beef bones, onions and carrots. Place in hot oven

for 15-20 minutes until bones are browned. Shake and turn bones at 10 mins. Remove

oven after 15-20 minutes.

2. In the slow cooker add roasted bones, carrots, onion, garlic, chilli, thyme, cinnamon

stick, peppercorns, coriander seeds and apple cider vinegar. Cover bones with cold water

(around 2-3 litres worth), place lid on and set temperature to low. Cook for 8 hours.

3. Once slow cooked, skim off fat with ladle or spoon. Pour into seal proof containers

How to make Chicken Bone Broth

makes 2 litres of broth

Ingredients:

1-2 chicken caracasses, stripped, bones cracked (tip* you can save up your carcasses and

freeze them before making a big batch of broth)

3 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole

2 lemons, quartered

3 sprigs rosemary

1 tbsp black peppercorns

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1. Place the bones, lemon, garlic, rosemary and peppercorns in your slow cooker or

cooking pot with heavy lid. Fill with cold water, the bones are covered with an addition

3cm of water.

2. Place lid on and turn slow-cooker to high and set for 4-6 hours.

3. If you are cooking on the stove, bring the cold water to the boil then turn it onto low

and place lid on. Let it simmer for 3 hours.

4. Sieve the broth to remove any excess bits. Once cooled, skim off the fat that has

settled on top. Pour into seal proof containers and store in fridge for up to 5 days or

freeze once cooled. Tip* if stored in fridge have 1 cup every morning for breakfast. You

can also add to soups, bolognese's, risottos, pasta sauces and gravies.

Bone Broth: The Gut-Healing Superfood You Need in Your Kitchen