Last summer we went in on a part of a local steer with some friends of our’s. Included in this purchase was a few roasts I had never cooked before because most supermarkets simply do not sell huge, fatty, bone-in cuts of meat. Which is a pity really, since those tend to be cheaper and more flavorful. I keep saving our bones and extra fat from these cuts and popping them in a Tupperware in the freezer. I finally had enough recently to make a batch of bone broth. Bone broth is pretty awesome really. It is a great way to get collagen in your diet, (great for hair and skin!) plus it helps you really use up the whole animal and eliminate food waste.
Making a bone broth from your roast scraps is very easy, especially in a slow-cooker.
- Plop your bones, cartilage, fats, etc. into a large crock pot.
- Add a clove of garlic, and some veggie scraps. This is a great way to use up onion skins and the ends of celery and such.
- Fill with water until everything is covered with an inch of liquid to spare.
- Turn crock pot on low and leave it for 24 to 48 hours.
It will take several hours for your liquid to reach a simmering point. Once it does, you want to keep it on a light simmer for 24 hours or more based on how much tissue you want to break down. bone marrow breaks down quicker than grizzle.
When your broth is ready, it will have a consistency of melted gelatine. (Because it is full of gelatine!) At this point you can start straining your bones, skin, and scraps out with a slotted spoon. If you want a very clear consume type broth, you can strain it through cheesecloth, but i find that sometimes difficult with a broth full of fat and collagen. I would suggest a mesh strainer instead.
You can freeze your broth for six months in your deep freeze. I actually keep the whole batch out and use it for a base in a huge pot of beef and veggie stew. Being able to continue creating meals from scraps most people throw out makes me feel even better about our steer purchase. It was financially, a great decisions, and gives us some peace of mind about where our food was raised.
You might also be interested in Cheap and Easy Chicken Bone Broth