Chicken bone broth has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its many health benefits. However, finding high-quality chicken bones to make your own nourishing broth can be tricky. This guide will walk you through the best places to source high-quality chicken bones for making homemade broth.
Why Choose Chicken Bones for Broth?
Chicken bones are an excellent choice for making flavorful, nutrient-dense broth. Here’s why:
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It has a lot of collagen and gelatin. The feet, wings, and necks of chickens have the most collagen. When this is cooked in water, it turns into gelatin, which gives the broth its thick texture and health benefits.
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Packed with Minerals Chicken bones contain minerals like calcium magnesium phosphorus, and potassium. These minerals are extracted into the broth during simmering.
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Deep, Savory Flavor: Chicken bones give broth a rich, savory taste. Wings, feet, and necks have the most flavor.
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Affordable Chicken bones are relatively inexpensive to purchase, You can make quarts of broth for the price of a few pounds of bones,
Where to Buy Chicken Bones for Broth
When buying chicken bones for broth, quality matters. Here are some of the best places to find high-quality chicken bones:
1. Direct from a Local Farmer
Purchasing chicken bones directly from a local farmer that raises chickens sustainably is ideal. Ask them to save and freeze the bones, feet, necks and wings for you.
Pros: You can get high-quality bones from chickens that are humanely raised and fed a natural diet. It supports local agriculture.
Cons: Limited availability based on location and farmer relationships.
2. A Local Butcher Shop
Many local butcher shops stock bones for broth-making. Look for a full-service butcher that works directly with local farms.
Pros: Supports local business. You can specify exactly what type of bones you want.
Cons: Availability varies based on the butcher. Bones may not be from pasture-raised chickens.
3. Farmers Markets
Ask vendors at your local farmers market if they sell chicken bones for broth. Meat and poultry vendors are a good place to check.
Pros: The bones probably come from small, high-quality farms in the area. You know exactly where your bones come from.
Cons: Limited availability and chicken bone vendors.
4. Online Stores specializing in bones for broth
Several online stores sell bones specifically for making broth. REP Provisions sells pasture-raised chicken bones and feet.
Pros: Convenient access to high-quality bones from humanely raised chickens. Bones are processed specifically for broth-making.
Cons: No local sourcing. Need to pay shipping costs.
5. Grocery Store Meat Sections
Some grocery stores with butcher counters sell packages of chicken bones, feet, and necks. Check the freezer section.
Pros: Convenient and easy to find. Low cost.
Cons: Quality varies greatly. Bones likely not from pasture-raised chickens.
6. Asian Markets
Asian grocery markets frequently stock various chicken parts like feet, necks, and wings for making Asian soups and broths.
Pros: Inexpensive source of bones. Can buy feet and necks in bulk.
Cons: Bone sourcing is unclear. Quality varies.
What to Look for When Buying Chicken Bones
To make the highest quality, most nutritious chicken broth, look for the following when buying chicken bones:
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Pasture-Raised or Organic: Bones from chickens raised on pasture have higher levels of nutrients like omega-3s. Organic bones are another good option.
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No Antibiotics or Added Hormones: Chicken bones free from antibiotics and added hormones contain more nutrients and healthier fats.
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Variety of Cuts: Bones like feet, necks, and wings have the most collagen. Using a mix creates a more balanced broth.
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Fresh or Frozen: Fresh bones work best but frozen is okay too. Avoid bones that have been sitting in the refrigerated section for days.
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Minimal Processing: Look for whole bones that have undergone minimal processing, chopping, or shredding.
Following these sourcing tips will help you make the most nutritious, mineral-rich chicken bone broth using high-quality ingredients. With so many sources available, you can find an option that fits your budget and preferences.
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How to Recycle Chicken Bones to Make Food for Plants! creative explained
FAQ
Can I just buy chicken bones?
A package of chicken bones from the grocery store is an economical way to create homemade soups and stocks.
Can you get chicken bones from a butcher?
You can buy all sorts of chicken bones even organic chicken bones from your local butcher shops (That’s where I go to get all my beef bones) as well as it’s good for the ham bones or meat department at your local grocery stores.
Does Walmart sell chicken necks?
Can you buy bones from a butcher shop?
Sometimes you can find single veal or beef bones for sale in the pre-packaged meat case, but you’ll need more than one or two to make a stock or broth. The good news is that your butcher always has bones, and they aren’t that expensive. All you have to do is ask.