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Homemade Chicken Broth

Hello Friends! Today I’m excited to share one of our favorite frugal kitchen practices here on the homestead — making homemade chicken broth. This cozy, comforting staple is not only full of nutrients, it also puts every last bit of your food to good use.

We freeze vegetable scraps like celery tops, onion skins, and carrot ends, as well as chicken carcasses from roast dinners or rotisserie birds. Then, when the freezer bag is full, it’s time to make broth!

I prefer using the crockpot so I can set it and forget it — no babysitting required. With just a few simple ingredients and a long, slow simmer, you’ll have a rich, flavorful broth that’s perfect for soups, stews, gravies, and more. Plus, it’s nearly free!

You can find the full printable recipe below. 😊

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Homemade Chicken Broth

This frugal, nutrient-rich homemade chicken broth is a staple on our homestead. Using leftover vegetable scraps and a chicken carcass, you can create a flavorful broth perfect for soups, stews, and sauces — all in the crockpot with no babysitting required!
Course Pantry Staples, Soup
Cuisine American, Homestead
Keyword crockpot chicken stock, DIY broth, frugal broth recipe, homemade chicken broth, make-ahead broth, pressure canned broth, vegetable scrap broth

Equipment

  • Crockpot or slow cooker
  • Freezer-safe bags (for scraps)
  • Strainer
  • Large bowl
  • Quart jars (for storage or canning)
  • Pressure canner (optional)
  • Ladle

Ingredients

  • 1 Chicken carcass (fresh or frozen)
  • 2–3 cups Frozen vegetable scraps (such as carrot ends, celery tops, onion peels)
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Whole peppercorns
  • Water (enough to fill the crockpot)

Instructions

  • Add ingredients to crockpot: Place chicken carcass and vegetable scraps into a large crockpot. Sprinkle in salt and peppercorns. Fill the crockpot with water to just below the top.
  • Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on High for 16 hours. You can also cook on Low for 24 hours if preferred.
  • Cool and strain: Once the cooking time is complete, turn off the crockpot and let it cool to room temperature. Then strain the broth using a fine-mesh strainer to remove all solids.
  • Store or can the broth: Pour strained broth into airtight containers.
    To refrigerate: Store up to 4–5 days.
    To freeze: Let cool completely and transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving room for expansion.
    To can: Ladle hot broth into hot quart jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Pressure can at 10 lbs for 25 minutes.

Notes

  • Use what you have: This recipe is flexible — toss in garlic skins, herb stems, or even a bit of leftover lemon for brightness.
  • Label and rotate: If freezing or canning, always label with the date so you can use the oldest batch first.
  • No crockpot? You can also make this in a large stockpot on the stovetop — just simmer gently for 4–6 hours, adding water as needed.
  • Zero waste bonus: This method stretches your groceries further and makes use of scraps you might otherwise toss!
Chicken soup with noodles

Why We Love Homemade Broth

There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming leftovers and scraps into something so nourishing. On the homestead, that kind of resourcefulness is both practical and deeply rewarding.

Not only does homemade broth taste better than store-bought, it’s also free from preservatives and artificial flavorings. We use it as a base for homemade soups, pour it over rice or quinoa for added flavor, and even sip it by the mugful when someone’s under the weather.

This broth freezes beautifully and can be pressure canned for long-term storage — making it one of the most versatile pantry staples we always have on hand.

Let Nothing Go to Waste

As Grandpa always said, “Waste not, want not.” This chicken broth recipe is a perfect example of how we live that out in our kitchen. It’s simple, wholesome, and made with what’s already available — a true homestead essential.

Have you tried making your own broth at home? We’d love to hear what ingredients you include in yours. Leave a comment below or tag us if you give this recipe a try!

And if you’re looking for more cozy, nourishing recipes, be sure to browse our Pantry Staples and Autumn Recipes collections.

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hello friends! i'm amanda

I’m here to share recipes and ideas to help others make their home a simple homemade homestead.

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