Introduction

Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth is a nutrient-rich, flavorful base perfect for soups, stews, or sipping on its own. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and hands-off cooking to extract deep, savory flavors and beneficial nutrients from beef bones.

Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

3-4 lbs. beef bones
1 yellow onion (quartered)
1 head of garlic (cut in half)
2 carrots (cut into pieces)
2 celery ribs (cut into pieces)
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 bay leaves
8 cups water
2 tsp. grated ginger
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt (add to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to broil. Place the beef bones on a sheet pan and brown them under the broiler for about 5 minutes on each side, depending on their proximity to the heat.
Step 2: Transfer the browned bones to the slow cooker. Add the quartered onion, halved garlic head, pieces of carrots and celery, bay leaves, apple cider vinegar, and water.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 12 hours or longer if desired to deepen the flavor and extract nutrients.
Step 4: Place a strainer over a large bowl. Ladle the broth through the strainer, discarding the solids. Press the vegetables into the strainer to release more juice.
Step 5: Stir in the grated ginger, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Serve the broth immediately, or refrigerate or freeze for later use. Skim off any fat before serving if you prefer.

Tips & Variations

Roasting the bones adds richness and depth; don’t skip this step for best flavor.
Add herbs like thyme or parsley for extra aroma and complexity.
Use a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup after long cooking.

Storage

Store beef bone broth in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, and skim off any solidified fat before serving if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of bones for this broth?

Yes, you can use marrow bones, knuckles, or a mix of beef and chicken bones. Each will add different flavors and nutrients to your broth.

Is it necessary to add vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar helps break down the collagen and minerals in the bones, enhancing the broth’s nutritional value and richness. It’s recommended but can be omitted if preferred.

Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 140 reviews

This Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth recipe is a nourishing, flavorful broth made by slow simmering roasted beef bones with vegetables and aromatic spices. Perfect as a warm drink or a base for soups and stews, this broth delivers rich collagen, minerals, and comforting taste with minimal effort thanks to the slow cooker method.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
Yield: About 6–8 cups of broth 1x
Category: Broth
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Bones

3–4 lbs. beef bones

Vegetables

1 yellow onion, quartered
1 head of garlic, cut in half
2 carrots, cut into pieces
2 celery ribs, cut into pieces

Liquids & Seasonings

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 bay leaves
8 cups water
2 tsp. grated ginger
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt (add to taste)

Instructions

Broil the Bones: Preheat the oven to broil. Place the beef bones on a sheet pan and broil them for about 5 minutes on each side, or until well browned to enhance flavor.
Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned bones to the slow cooker. Add the quartered onion, halved garlic head, chopped carrots, celery, bay leaves, apple cider vinegar, and water.
Slow Cook the Broth: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 12 hours or longer to extract maximum flavor and nutrients from the bones.
Strain the Broth: After cooking, strain the broth through a fine strainer into a large bowl, discarding the solids. Press the vegetables to release all their juices.
Season and Serve: Stir in grated ginger, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Serve the broth immediately or refrigerate/freeze for later use. Optionally skim off fat before serving.

Notes

Roasting the bones enhances the broth’s flavor and color.
Slow cooking for 12+ hours extracts beneficial collagen from the bones.
Apple cider vinegar helps break down bone minerals for richer broth.
Broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for several months.
Skim off fat after refrigeration if a leaner broth is preferred.
Add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley after cooking for extra flavor, if desired.

Keywords: beef bone broth, slow cooker broth, homemade broth, collagen broth, bone broth recipe, healthy broth, slow cooker recipes