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    The Life Jolie » Kitchen Basics » Easy Turkey Stock (or Turkey Broth!)

    Easy Turkey Stock (or Turkey Broth!)

    Published: Oct 4, 2021 · Modified: Jun 15, 2022 by Jessy Freimann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    An angle shot of an open mason jar full of turkey stock with carrots and fresh sage behind it and a striped napkin.

    No need to buy pre-made turkey stock from the store- make your own! It's so easy and the flavor cannot be beat!

    Use the stock in these great recipes: Leftover Chicken (or Turkey) Shepherd's Pie, Chicken (or Turkey) Wild Rice Soup and Turkey Tetrazzini.

    An angle shot of a closed jar of turkey stock with a label on the front and veggies and a napkin around it.

    Turkey Broth

    When it comes to broth, I think it's important to have a really good one. I mean, broth (or stock) is the basis of SO many recipes. And while there are many great ones on the market that I happily use, there's no substitute for homemade.

    Luckily, making turkey stock is also very easy! It takes pretty minimal effort and freezes super well. Which means it's perfect to make ahead and freeze and then thaw and use to supplement your pan drippings in a killer gravy!

    Tips for how to make turkey stock

    • Don't both dicing your veggies up into super small pieces, you'll be straining them out of the stock anyway, so just save yourself the time and cut them into bigger chunks.
    • I like to hold all my fresh herbs, peppercorns and garlic cloves together to make them easier to remove- I wrap them in a cheesecloth and secure it closed by rolling it then tying the ends together. In the culinary world, this is called a sachet d'epices and to be honest, I probably don't do it "right" but it's easy and it works every time for me.
    • You can skim the fat as it cooks, but it's easier to cool it and chill it and then remove the fat from the top. You can also use a fat separator.
    • Cool completely before putting in the fridge.

    Helpful ingredient information

    • Turkey: I bought a pack of turkey wings, but you can use whichever cut of turkey you prefer. And if you're making this the day you make a turkey, feel free to use the wings and neck from that.
    • Vegetables: The vegetables used for this include onion, celery, carrots and garlic.
    • Flavoring: For delicious flavor I use fresh sage, fresh thyme, fresh parsley and whole peppercorns. I don't typically add salt until the ned and I do that to taste. But remember, less is more- you can always add more if it's not enough.
    An angle show of an open mason jar full of turkey stock with carrots and fresh sage behind it and a striped napkin.

    Can I make this with raw turkey parts?

    Yes! You'll start off by browning them until golden on each side- it's the basis of all the flavor. And then after you've caramelized the vegetables, you'll add them back in with the sachet and a bunch of water and let it do it's thing for a while and all the flavors will come together.

    So which is it, turkey broth or turkey stock?

    So most people (like me!) use them interchangeably. They're basically the same, especially in term of uses. Technically, the big difference is stock is cooked with bones and is typically unsalted. Because of the marrow in the bones, it often has a gel texture to it when cooled. And stock typically cooks longer. My method for this recipe probably closer resembles a broth, but again, I use them interchangeably.

    Do I have to use cheese cloth?

    No, you'll be straining the broth wither way, but I find it easier to use the cheese cloth.

    What can you do with turkey stock?

    I think the real question is, what can't you do with it? You can use it pretty much anywhere that you'd normally use chicken broth. My favorite use is to make gravy and in soup!

    Leftovers:

    This will last up to 5 days covered in the refrigerator and up to 6 months frozen.

    Ingredients that can be prepped ahead:

    • Cut onion
    • Clean and cut celery
    • Peel and cut carrots
    • Peel garlic
    • Wash herbs
    A straight-on shot of a closed jar of turkey stock with a label on the front and veggies and a napkin around it.

    Helpful tools:

    1. Chef's knife
    2. Cutting board
    3. Cast iron dutch oven or this kind of dutch oven
    4. Ladle
    5. Wooden spoon
    6. Measuring cups
    7. Measuring spoons
    8. Sieve

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!

    A straight-on shot of a closed jar of turkey stock with a label on the front and veggies and a napkin around it.

    Easy Turkey Stock

    Jessy Freimann
    No need to buy pre-made turkey stock from the store- make your own! It's so easy and the flavor cannot be beat!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course How-to
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 cups, approximately

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
    • 2-3 raw turkey wings
    • 1 large onion cut into chunks
    • 4 medium carrots peeled and cut into chunks
    • 3 ribs celery cut into chunks
    • 2-3 sprigs fresh sage
    • 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
    • 3-4 sprigs fresh parsley
    • 2 large cloves garlic peeled and smashed
    • 8 whole peppercorns
    • 12 cups water
    • Kosher salt, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oil in a heavy bottom dutch oven over medium high heat.
    • Add turkey wings and brown until golden on each side making sure not to over load the pan, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan when browned.
    • Add onion, celery and carrots and sauté until they begin to caramelize, about 7 minutes.
    • While the vegetables caramelize, place fresh herbs, smashed garlic and peppercorns into the center of a cheese cloth. Roll it closed and tie the ends off to secure closed and form a sachet.
    • Add turkey wings, cheese cloth sachet and 12 cups of water into the pot. Bring to a light simmer and reduce heat to medium low.
    • Simmer for 1 ½ hours. Season with salt to taste if you want.
    • Cool and strain so that only the liquid remains. Refrigerate or freeze until you're ready to use.

    Notes

    Cool broth completely before putting in the refrigerator. This will last up to 5 days covered in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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