Making turkey broth or stock using leftover vegetables from a turkey dinner is a great way to reduce waste and extract delicious flavors. Here's a simple recipe to help you make a flavorful turkey broth:
Ingredients:
- Turkey carcass and any remaining bones
- Leftover vegetables (such as celery, carrots, onions, and garlic)
- Herb scraps (such as parsley stems, thyme, or rosemary)
- Bay leaves (optional)
- Water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Start by gathering your leftover vegetables. Celery, carrots, onions, and garlic are commonly used in making broth, but you can also include other vegetable scraps like mushroom stems or leek greens.
If you have any meat remaining on the turkey carcass, remove it and set it aside for other uses. Break the carcass into smaller pieces to fit into your pot.
In a large stockpot, add the turkey carcass, leftover vegetables, and herb scraps. If desired, you can tie the herbs together with kitchen twine or place them in a cheesecloth for easier removal later. Add bay leaves for extra flavor, if available.
Fill the pot with enough water to cover all the ingredients. Be careful not to add too much water, as you want a concentrated broth.
Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer uncovered for about 2-3 hours. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during this time.
After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a bit. Once it's safe to handle, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot or container. Discard the solids.
If desired, you can let the broth cool further and refrigerate it overnight. This allows any excess fat to rise to the surface and solidify, making it easier to remove.
Before using or storing the broth, skim off the fat layer from the surface. At this point, you can season the broth with salt and pepper to taste, but it's best to leave it slightly under-seasoned to allow for flexibility in future recipes.
Use the turkey broth immediately in your favorite recipes or store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it in smaller portions for longer storage.
With this homemade turkey broth, you can enhance the flavors of soups, stews, gravies, and other dishes, adding a rich and savory taste to your meals. Enjoy!