When it comes to food, the best kind is always going to be the food that you make yourself. But, let's be real here, not everyone has the time or inclination to make everything they eat from scratch - especially bone broth.
While we LOVE bone broth (obviously), it can be a pain in the ar*se to make. You've got to source the bones, get yourself a gigantic stockpot, and take three days off work to make sure you don't burn your house down. (Read more: How to Make Your Own Bone Broth)
If you don't have unlimited PTO for bone broth brewing, then you'll likely be headed to the store to buy some bone broth.But all bone broths are not created equal.
There is currently noregulated definition for the term "bone broth," which means that almost any product can be labeled bone broth - even if it is just chicken stock, chicken flavor and water.
When shopping for store-bought bone broth, you should alwayscheck your ingredients and know the company that you are buying from, to make sure you're getting the real thing (so you can actually reap the benefits instead of waste your time and money drinking some fake broth water).
Here are 5 questions to ask before you buy bone broth:
1. Is the bone broth FROZEN?
Freezingbone broth locks in flavor and preserves nutrients at their peak and it is the way bone broth is traditionally stored. It’s also the only way that you can store bone broth without preservatives, shelf-stabilizers or processing.
2. Is the bone broth Certified Organic?
CERTIFIED Organic is very different from "made with organic ingredients". Organic certification means that EVERYTHING about the bone broth - from the ingredients right down to the cleaning products used in our facilities - must adhere to rigorous organic guidelines. To make sure your bone broth is certified organic, look for the USDA Certified Organic symbol.
3. Do the ingredients include ONLY grass-fed bones - NO filler broth?
This ensures that your bone broth is made with high-quality bones from animals raised on pasture and therefore free of environmental toxins. Also, some companies addpre-made broth to their bone broth to make more broth cheaper and faster. This creates a watered-down broth that is less effective than true bone broth. (Shocked? It's true. Read more: Have you been buying fake bone broth?)
4. Does the bone broth turn to gel when refrigerated?
When collagen is cooked it turns into gelatin. The sign that a bone broth has been made properly and is full of collagen is that it solidifies and turns to gelatin when it is refrigerated. While not all bone broths will be completely solid when refrigerated, there should always be some gelatinous texture to the liquid.
Got questions?
We're happy to help! Just ask in the comments below!
Got a friend who's riding the bone broth bandwagon? Make sure they know how to tell TRUE bone broth from the impostors and share this with them!
FAQs
It should contains at least 6g of protein
In order for bone broth to have a gel consistency at fridge temperature, there must be at least 6 grams of protein per 250ml. Anything less on the ingredient list means it is lacking in gelatin.
What to look for when buying bone broth? ›
It should contains at least 6g of protein
In order for bone broth to have a gel consistency at fridge temperature, there must be at least 6 grams of protein per 250ml. Anything less on the ingredient list means it is lacking in gelatin.
What is the healthiest bone broth to buy? ›
What is the healthiest bone broth on the market? The healthiest bone broth on the market is the Organic bone broth made by Bluebird Provisions because it is the highest protein with 12 grams with 300 mg potassium and no added filler ingredients. It is also low in sodium and tastes absolutely delicious.
What is the key to good bone broth? ›
Bones by themselves aren't enough to make a perfect bone broth. If you really want to amp up the nutritional value of your broth, adding vegetables to simmer is a must. Not only will the vegetables add valuable nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals, they'll also add flavor to your broth.
What does the Mayo Clinic say about bone broth? ›
Bone broth is a good choice to include in your diet along with all the other foods that fight inflammation. Organic chicken or beef bone broths (or make your own) have many beneficial nutrients that will help improve bones and joints, along with all the other benefits.
What do doctors say about bone broth? ›
“While bone broth can be a nutritious addition to the diet and is generally considered safe to consume, there are some concerns that should be noted,” Wohlford says. These include the risk of consuming too many heavy metals, which can seep into the broth from the animal bones during the cooking process.
How to find quality bone broth? ›
“But to ensure a high-quality bone broth, the most important thing is always the quality of the ingredients that are used. Di Leo's recipe contains bones (typically beef or veal), water, onion, carrot, celery, tomato puree, bay leaf, peppercorns, parsley and aromatics that she rotates and experiments with often.
Is grocery store bone broth healthy? ›
The bones used to make commercial broth may contain high levels of heavy metals, which could make their way into the broth. However, homemade or store-bought bone broth levels are very low and unlikely to cause health problems.
Is Swanson sipping bone broth healthy? ›
Swanson® Sipping Chicken Bone Broth Cup is the nutritious snack that's warm and savory, with naturally occurring collagen protein*. Made from chicken bones, vegetables, herbs and spices, this bone broth can be great for special diets.
Which bone broth has the most collagen? ›
“While beef bone broth and chicken bone broth are healthful, beef bone broth has more collagen per serving. It is also better for gut health, for immunity, for sleep, and for mood. And it's better for skin and nails,” Schiff says.
However, do not add onions, carrots, celery or herbs to your initial pot of simmering bone broth. Instead, enjoy the pure, rich flavor that comes from just the bones, fat, connective tissue and any small amount of meat that may still be on the bones; it is not something that needs or wants amending.
Why do you put lemon juice in bone broth? ›
I love adding a little lemon to the broth as well because I think it makes it lighter and more flavorful, making it also easier to sip on throughout the day. PS: Need help making bone broth?
Is powdered bone broth as good as liquid? ›
You should try using a powdered bone broth if you seek the convenience and want it on-the-go. The bottom line is that powder has most of the same benefits as liquid. However, it is more convenient, portable and cost effective.
What is the downside of bone broth? ›
While bone broth is generally considered safe to consume, there are some potential risks to be aware of. Lead contamination. Some studies show elevated levels of lead in bone broths, which can be harmful to health if consumed in large amounts. Bacterial contamination.
What happens to your body if you drink bone broth everyday? ›
The Bottom Line. Consider incorporating bone broth into your regular routine for its many benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved bone health, better joint support and a healthier gut.
What is healthier than bone broth? ›
Vegetable Broth: Vitamins and Energy
And with all those vitamins yet 0.0 grams of fat and only 55 calories, Freja vegan broth is perfect for a diet focused on nutrient-dense foods. While vegetable broth isn't high in carbs by any means, it does have a few more carbohydrates than bone broth, which is very low in carbs.
How to tell if bone broth is good? ›
The jello consistency you find in quality bone broth's tells you that there is natural gelatin / collagen from animal cartilage in the product. A real bone broth will be full jello at fridge temperature. To get a gel, you need at least 7 g protein per 250 ml serving. Anything less and it will not.
How do you choose bone broth bones? ›
Bones from rudimentary animals are best – grass fed cows are best, but you may also use pastured chicken. Bones from rudimentary animals typically contains lots of bone marrow, which is a good source of nutrients for the body.
Does it matter what kind of bone broth? ›
In short, yes and no! While both chicken and beef bones provide a healthy amount of collagen, the types and amount of collagen varies. And with those different types of collagen come different benefits. Chicken and beef broth also have different concentrations of some other nutrients as well.
