How to Make Chicken Stock
This post about How to Make Chicken Stock can help you make delicious homemade chicken stock, and I’m sharing all my tips! And I love the way making stock makes your house smell good, and it’s satisfying to make something useful from scraps that might be thrown away.
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I wrote this post on How to Make Chicken Stock many years ago and I’ve been making homemade chicken, beef, ham, and turkey stock now for more years than I can remember. If you come to my condo, I’ll probably have at least 10 containers of stock in the freezer, despite the fact that I use it all the time.
And even though I’m not always a frugal cook, I’m religious about saving scraps, chicken carcasses and leftover veggies, and make stock at least once every month or so. If you ask me, homemade chicken stock is a wonderful thing!
What ingredients do you need?
(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- chicken scraps or chicken carcass with bones
- onions
- celery
- large carrots
- water
- Better than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base (affiliate link), optional but recommended
Three reason I love making homemade chicken stock:
- I love the way making homemade stock uses things that would have otherwise been thrown away.
- I also love the way simmering stock on the stove for hours will make your house smell amazing.
- And in my mind, homemade chicken stock is so flavor that it really takes recipes to a whole new level.
Want to add more flavor to your homemade chicken stock?
I’m not a stock-making purist, and I often use a little bit of chicken soup base to add more flavor to the stock. Don’t use too much though or it will make the chicken stock salty, and DO NOT use bouillon cubes, they are usually way too salty. My favorite brand by far is Better than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base (affiliate link); something that’s always in my fridge. (Edit: Shirley from Gluten Free Easily tells me that Better than Bouillon no longer guarantees their products are gluten-free, so that brand won’t work for people who have to avoid gluten.)
What if you just don’t have time to make chicken stock?
Nothing is quite as good as homemade chicken stock of course. But you can also buy pretty good chicken stock (the kind in the cartons at Costco is my favorite for purchased stock.) So if making stock is not something you can fit in your schedule that often, no worries.
How to Make Chicken Stock:
(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- Start with scraps of chicken or carcasses. (Save them up in the freezer.)
- You also need onions, celery, and carrots.
- If you’re going to make stock often, you might want to invest in a stock skimmer (affiliate link) for skimming off the foam from stock while it’s cooking. I also use it to scoop out cooked vegetables when I’m discarding them.
- Put the chicken scraps, chicken base (if using), onions, celery, and carrots in a huge stock pot with water.
- Let it cook all day at a very low simmer, adding water as needed.
- After the stock has cooked least for at least 6 hours), I simmer without adding water to reduce it by about 1/3.
- Then remove the meat and veggies and strain the stock.
- You can also remove the fat by cooling the stock and then scraping off the fat from the top.
- Now you have delicious chicken stock ready to put in the freezer and which can be used in a huge variety of dishes.
- If you’re wondering why I don’t label the containers, it’s because I label my beef stock, turkey stock, and ham stock, and leave the chicken stock without a label, since I make it the most and use it regularly. But if you don’t have other kinds of stock in your freezer I recommend labeling it with the date and name.
More Ways to Make Stock:
Weekend Food Prep:
This recipe has been added to a new category called Weekend Food Prep to help you find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!
How to Make Chicken Stock
Homemade chicken stock is so much better than the kind you find in a can or a carton, and it's a good way to use chicken scraps that might get thrown away. And simmering stock on the stove all day will make your house smell amazing.
Ingredients
- 3-4 cups of chicken scraps or chicken carcass with bones
- 1 - 2 onions
- 4 stalks celery
- 2 - 3 large carrots
- enough water to cover the chicken and vegetables
- Better than Bouillon roasted chicken base (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- To make chicken stock, start with scraps of chicken or chicken carcasses. (Save them up in the freezer until you have enough to make a big batch of stock.)
- You also need onions, celery, and carrots. If you have any veggies that are past their prime, this is the perfect use for them.
- Put the chicken scraps, onions, celery, and carrots in a huge stock pot with enough water. to cover the chicken and vegetables by a few inches.
- I always use a little bit of chicken soup base to speed up the process a little. I like Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base, but there are a few good brands. (Do NOT use bouillon cubes, they are way too salty.)
- Let it cook all day (or at least six hours) at a very low simmer, adding water whenever it gets low.
- After the stock has cooked all day I usually reduce it by about 1/3 before I scoop out the vegetables and chicken.
- When you're through cooking it, remove the meat and veggies and strain the stock somehow. I use a yogurt strainer and a fat separator, which removes the fat by taking the liquid off the bottom. Any fine strainer will work. You can also remove the fat by cooling the stock, then spooning off the hardened fat.
- Now you have delicious chicken stock ready to put in the freezer and which can be used in a huge variety of dishes. (Taste to see if you want to simmer longer to concentrate the flavor.)
Notes
Nutritional information is hard to calculate for a recipe like this that doesn't give exact amounts, but chicken stock is very low in carbs.
I like to freeze this in two cup containers, which is just slight more than one can of chicken broth.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
It’s difficult to calculate nutritional information for a recipe like this that’s made using the amount of food scraps you have on hand, but chicken stock is definitely low-carb, Keto, and approved for the original South Beach Diet. If you need it to be gluten-free, be sure to check ingredients if you add chicken flavor base, and use reduced-sodium chicken base if that’s important to you too.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use the category for Cooking Tips to find more ideas like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This much-used recipe for chicken stock was first posted in 2006, and I had been making it years before that. It was last updated with more information in 2023.
55 Comments on “How to Make Chicken Stock”
Yep. Sometimes I actually simmer it overnight. I also save vegetable scraps–like the ends of celery, onions, asparagus, potato peels, cherry tomatoes with wrinkles, etc. Then I either make vegetable stock, or chicken-veggie stock.
And don’t you love the way it makes your house smell good!!
Where is the printable recipe?
Sorry about that! Something obviously went wrong in the new blog design. I had to re-create that but there is a printable form there now. (Luckily I have an old site that stores all the recipes!)
Somehow it also lost all the star ratings, so if you feel like rating it that is always appreciated!
Kalyn How much of the chicken bouillon do you use? Thank you!
It depends on how much stock I am making. For a big pot of stock, I would start with a big heaping tablespoon and then taste after it cooks for a few minutes and see if it is flavorful enough.
I always make a large "full" stock pot of soup but we have to be careful of the sodium. I don't understand the sodium numbers yet but I wasn't sure how much you put in to start with. Thank you I will start there. 🙂
I know that this post is kind of old, but one question I have is when do I have "enough" chicken scraps?
Actually that's a good question if you haven't made stock before. It's not exact, but I probably use about 4 times as much water as chicken scraps, cooking the stock down so some of the liquid has evaporated by the time it's done. It
Monicqa, I do have an extra freezer, which is very nice. But if you're limited on room in the freezer you can reduce the stock (until it's much stronger than you'd want when you use it) then just add water to it when you thaw.
Great tips – I am just making some chicken stock now with the chicken carcass from our roast dinner tonight. Wish I had a huge freezer to store containers and containers of stock! We sometimes double up our balcony as a fridge in the winter but could do with an extra freezer!
Christina, I'm not sure, although I think some of the yellow color of my stock is from the Better Than Bouillon chicken flavor base, which is slightly yellow. Carrots probably add to the color too, as well as cooking the stock down. Mainly though I'd say if the stock has a good flavor, dont' worry about it.
I've tried making chicken stock, but it doesn't turn out yellow…it's an ugly gray color. Any ideas on what migh be causing that?
Desertplantlady, Yaaay!!! Thanks for your patience. I'm hoping it is fixed for everyone now.
Hi Kalyn, It worked, whatever she did, I can now use the search feature. Thanks!
Just heard from Jennette that she has made a small change to the search code; would love to hear if that fixes it for people who have commented above.
Anonymous and Desertplantlady, Jennette has tested the search bar with every combination of browser and operating system, and we're not able to duplicate the problem. Can you e-mail me and tell me exactly what happens when you try to search? (kalynskitchen-at-comcast-dot-net.)
Thanks!
Not sure about Desertplantlady, but I'm using Firefox and noticed the cursor does not blink at all in the white search box. Hope this helps your IT folks.
Kalyn: Thanks for the info on the BtB soup base. I guess I looked at the non-organic version. Good to know!
Desertplantlady, I had my web designer re-code it since the previous comment, and we had multiple people test and they all said it's working fine. I thought it was fixed, so now I'm confused when you say "It doesn't act like a link at all." The search bar shouldn't act like a link.
Can you write back and tell me exactly what happens when you click your curser into the white bar and then type in a word?
Thanks!
Kalyn
Sorry, should have mentioned, to answer your previous question about browser and OS, I use Google Chrome and have Windows XP professional with Service Pack 3 installed. And was able to search without issue on your previous design.
Hi Karen,
Re the the Search Function:
No, it's still a "dead" zone for me. The other links in the header work, but I cannot even select the search function to type out a word. It does not act like a link at all.
thanks
Diane, the Better Than Bouillon organic chicken base doesn't have hydrolyzed vegetable protein, dried whey, or corn syrup solids.
I'm a chicken soup fanatic too and also make it at least once a month, although I cannot imagine adding any chicken stock base to mine. Why add all that crap to great home-made soup? hydrolyzed soy protein? dried whey? Ummm…no.
I do always add chicken feet. they give it richness and body and tons of flavor. And no corn syrup solids.
But very good to have around – I'd be lost without it in my freezer!
I'm in your camp as far as saving all the scraps for stock. Whenever I have extra leek ends, parsley, celery tops, or vegetables I didn't get around to cooking, I freeze them for stocks and soups. I just make sure to wash them all so I can just throw them in the pot when I'm ready. Homemade stock is so much better than store bought.
Excellent post. I generally let the liquid reduce down so it's easier to store, and more concentrated too.
You can (as you know) always rehydrate the stock when you come to use it.
Elise's point about the fat layer on top. It's a 'top tip'!
Have you ever tried adding a little chilli powder and cumin to it? Tastes wonderful!
Homemade stock is the best! I don't freeze mine though ~ I can it so that I don't have to worry about thawing it when I need it.
I love making and having stock on hand. Chicken and turkey stocks are staples here. I treated myself to a pressure cooker and it makes the best beef stock.
Stock never lasts long here. It's soup or gravy base, for cooking rice or in sauces….it's always time to nmake another batch of stock.
@Elise- The fat trick works beautifully. I worked breifly for a restaurant and thier method was to bring the stock to a boil and then simmer it for 3-5 minutes. That reduces bacteria or any pathogens that might be found in the liquid.
ValerieAnne, thanks for the tips!
DesertPlantLady, my web designer has re-coded the search bar so if you see this I would love to know if it has fixed your issue. Thanks!
I usually save the bones, gristle and skin in the freezer. Using a crockpot works for me so I can let it cook 24-48 hours until the bones fall apart when I squish them. Then I use the solid matter for dog food after I strain out the broth. It is easier to let the fat rise to the top and skim it off later.
The chicken feet advice is fabulous! They provide more gelatin in the broth, which is a very beneficial nutrient. Some people get weirded out by chicken feet but I think it is respectful to the animal to use every part – especially when it improves the broth so much.
I read somewhere a long time ago that a little acid like vinegar or lemon juice in the beginning draws out more minerals from the bones. It doesn't affect the flavor.
I used to always save onion tops, onion skin and old celery in the freezer for broth. It was a tip from the 1980's PBS cooking show, Frugal Gourmet. Recently I have been making it with no vegetables at all. I like the flavor better. It is pure chicken.
Desertplantlady, can you tell me what browser and operating system you're using so I can tell my web designer. (I'm able to search just fine, so it must be an isolated problem but we definitely want to fix it.)
Off chicken stock topic, but am leaving a post about the re-design, which looks very nice by the way.
The problem I've just had is not being able to search the site. Wanted to look for some ideas but the search function was non-responsive.
thanks for everything. Love your blog.
Sheryl, great tip about the chicken feet. I've heard that but haven't tried it.
I love homemade chicken stock. If you can find some chicken feet (the Korean and Middle Eastern markets that I go to both carry them) they make THE BEST stock!
I throw them in with all of the rotisserie chicken carcasses that I save up in the freezer.
I've had the yogurt strainer for about 15 years, and there is no brand name on it, so I can't tell you that. I think I bought it at one of those kitchen discount stores but can't remember for sure. I would work to strain the yogurt for Taztziki too, but most people probably don't have one.
Glad you are enjoying the blog.
I've been wanting a yogurt strainer like the one you show here. I notice you didn't suggest using it for the Tzatzaki recipe (ca. 2007-2009). Do you still have it? What company made your strainer (e.g., brand name)?
I really appreciate your blog as I'm new to South Beach and need all the ideas I can find. Thank you!
Thanks for the tips!
I am enjoying your site and though I'd add my 2 cents about your chicken stock. I have used the ice cube tray to freeze chicken stock. Each cube represents 1 package of bouillon. Also, you could buy a big bag of chicken wings to make stock with, if you are starting from scratch. I usually purchase boneless, skinless breast for eating so don't have scraps left over. I hope these tips help.
Yes, you could do that. I would leave some meat scraps clinging to the bones though for best stock flavor.
Yes, you could do that. I would leave some meat scraps clinging to the bones though for best stock flavor.
I don't ever have chicken scraps. So if I start with a fresh chicken, allow it to cook, remove it's meat for future recipes, would I return the carcass to the pot and continue with the stock?
The stock will say good in the freezer for at least six months, probably longer. Thanks, glad you are enjoying the blog.
What is the shelf life for the frozen stock? BTW, LOVE this website!
Here's my great tip for freezing chicken stock: I use freezer ziploc bags and I fill the bags with the chicken stock and mark how many cups of stock is in each bag. I then lay the filled ziploc bags flat on the cookie sheet and I put them in the freezer. Once frozen, I take them off the cookie sheet and I can stand them up or lay them on top of each other and they don't take up as much space as the tupperware bowls. It works great and I can write on the bags exactly what is in the bag and how much stock is in each bag. Happy cooking.
Kelly
www.beachglassgonewild.com
Nancy, it doesn't matter if the chicken scraps are cooked or raw. I usually have some of each.
Love the post. Do you use cooked chicken scrap to make your stock?
Amy, I start it in the morning and if I have to go somewhere I just turn the stove off while I’m gone, then turn back on when I get home. You can also make stock in a crockpot, then transfer to a stockpot and cook it down after it’s simmered for most of the day.
Does this mean you can’t leave the house all day? i mean, is it safe to leave while your stove is on to run an errand, or how do you manage it? I’m a working mom, so while I kindof like the idea of staying home all day and reading or gardening, there are always errands I need to do, and my daughter can get bored with no company! Ideas?
FREAKING AWESOME.
My end goal was to make chicken stock. I have never done this–or anything like this, for that matter–before. Kalyn’s instuction was very straightforward without dumbing things down and my stock turned out beautifully! I can hardly believe that I made this, as I would not consider myself a wonderful cook by any means. I will have to test the stock in a recipe and see how it fares, but it certainly looks and smells like the real deal as of now.
Thank you Kalyn!
Sorry I left a too long link, Kalyn. (I don’t use IE so didn’t know what might happen I can’t remember now exactly what I said nor what I linked to. But I think it might have been about vegetable stock.
We usually don’t simmer vegetable stock for longer than an hour because it can get an overstewed bitter taste if the vegetables are overcooked.
And we don’t roast the vegetables first (although that might be delicious too….) so our vegetable stock is fat free.
Don’t you just love the smell of the kitchen when there is stock is simmering?
-Elizabeth
Lisa, you can make it vegetarian. I would roast the veggies with some olive oil first for more depth of flavor, then just simmer like I did this.
Thanks for the instruction, Kalyn. I’ve never done this before!
Great isn’t it. Endless risottos and soups. I’ve also started making Asian variations for wonderful noodle soups.
Vanessa – you can just keep reducing the stock, until it is quite dense. Makes it easier to store.
One trick that my mom has taught me over the years is to not drain off the fat. Let the chicken fat solidify, forming a layer on top of the stock. This layer of fat acts as a natural protector from the air that houses bacteria. You can prolong the life of your stock by bringing the whole thing to a boil for 10 minutes every few days, again, letting it cool with that protective layer.
When you go to use the stock, just lift up the layer of fat to remove the stock. You can always save that fat for cooking.
I’ve discovered another method for chicken stock that works quite well, using chicken backs and wing tips, have posted here.
Great post, Kalyn!
i’ve made the stock a few times. never have enough room to store all that liquid though 🙁