Turkey Broth Recipe recipe photo - Turkey Broth Recipe by Jan

Turkey Broth Recipe

Published: July 15, 2025 Prep Time: About 20 minutes Cook Time: 3 hours Total Time: About 3 hours 20 minutes Serves: 8 Difficulty: Easy Category: Soup Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey carcass
  • 2 large onions, quartered
  • 4 carrots, chopped
  • 4 celery stalks, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 12 cups water
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Place turkey carcass in a large stockpot.
  2. Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, salt, thyme, sage, rosemary, and allspice.
  3. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours, skimming foam as needed.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  6. Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve.
  7. Discard solids and return broth to pot.
  8. Add fresh parsley and thyme.
  9. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  10. Remove herbs and season to taste.
  11. Store in airtight containers in refrigerator or freezer.

Special Notes

This rich turkey broth recipe creates a flavorful base for soups, stews, and other dishes. The combination of turkey carcass, vegetables, and herbs creates a complex, savory flavor that's perfect for holiday cooking. The long, slow simmering process extracts maximum flavor from the bones and vegetables. This recipe is perfect for using up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or other holiday meals. The broth can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. The recipe can be customized with different vegetables or herbs based on preference. This broth is especially popular for its rich, meaty flavor and versatility in cooking. The broth can be used as a base for gravy, soup, or risotto.