Homemade Beef Broth

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Cook: 5-1/2 hours + chilling

Makes

about 2-1/2 quarts

Updated: Nov. 04, 2023
Roasting soup bones in the oven first gives hearty beef flavor to this basic beef stock. In addition to soups, use the beefy broth to provide extra flavor in stews, gravies, sauces and vegetable dishes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds meaty beef soup bones (beef shanks or short ribs)
  • 3 medium carrots, cut into chunks
  • 3 celery ribs, cut into chunks
  • 2 medium onions, quartered
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 8 to 10 whole peppercorns
  • 3 to 4 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Cold water

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°. In a large roasting pan, bake soup bones, uncovered, 30 minutes. Add carrots, celery and onions. Bake 30 minutes; drain fat.
  2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bones and vegetables to a large Dutch oven. Add warm water to roasting pan; stir to loosen browned bits. Transfer pan juices to Dutch oven. Add seasonings and enough cold water just to cover. Slowly bring to a boil, about 30 minutes. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 4-5 hours, skimming foam. If necessary, add water during first 2 hours to keep ingredients covered.
  3. Remove beef bones; cool. If desired, remove meat and discard bones; save meat for another use. Strain broth through a cheesecloth-lined colander, discarding vegetables and seasonings. If using immediately, skim fat. Or refrigerate 8 hours or overnight; remove fat from surface.
  4. Broth can be covered and refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen 4-6 months.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 209 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 61mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.