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Home » Soups & Stews

Published: Dec 15, 2017 · Modified: Aug 3, 2020 by Libby Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment · 1482 words. · About 8 minutes to read this article.

Food Scrap Stock

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Food Scrap Stock - an easy homemade stock recipe using vegetable scraps and leftover chicken / beef bones. Repurpose those scraps into a delicious and nutritious food scrap stock!

food scrap stock

Hi there! Below you’ll find affiliate links to great products that we enjoy using in our own kitchen.

Homemade stock gives your food scraps a second chance. And it’s way better than the store bought stuff - which used to be my go-to stock. We use our food scrap stock in basically everything.

We’re always striving to reduce our food waste. Just another reason we make food scrap stock. Save up those onion peels, garlic skins, parsley stems, and chicken bones to make a delicious stock. 

Stock vs Broth

Broth is generally made with vegetables and meat (except for veggie broth). Whereas stock is made with vegetables and the bones of chicken, beef, or turkey—and stock is generally cooked for longer. 

It’s confusing… But stock and bone broth (different than regular broth) are basically the same thing. Though bone broth will be more gelatinous due to the specific types of bones used to make it. 

Bone broth is purported to be a health elixir that can cure all—from the common cold to osteoporosis. Let’s take a closer look.

Proponents claim that the collagen in bone broth can help improve skin, hair and nail strength. 

Boiling bones yields collagen—a type of protein made up of several amino acids. But we don’t absorb collagen altogether, we absorb the individual amino acids. 

Keep in mind, our bodies (including hair, skin and nails) need amino acids to repair themselves, but if other parts of our bodies have a greater need, the amino acids will go there first.

The Benefits of Bone Broth

Bone broth has also been claimed to improve immune function. Studies show the potential benefits of eating chicken soup (especially made with stock) while you’re sick. So, drinking bone broth may aid in lessening cold symptoms and help you recover faster. 

Further benefits include reducing inflammation, building muscle and improving mood. The benefits of bone broth haven’t been extensively researched, so it’s difficult to know for sure...

Either way, drinking/using bone broth (stock) will provide you with some awesome nutrients like amino acids, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

So what’s the verdict??

Although not some miracle cure broths & stocks do contain LOTS of nutrients and may improve immune function. All in all, bone broth and stock can add loads of flavor to soups, rice, chicken, essentially anything! 

Making stock at home is super easy and it’s such a great way to give those food scraps a second life. Test out our simple Food Scraps Stock recipe. This recipe is flexible, allowing you to use whatever you happen to have on hand!

food scrap stock

Are you ready to dive in and make this simple Food Scrap Bone Broth? Let’s go!

1 - Collect your food scraps. I keep a bag or container in the freezer and add my veggie scraps/chicken bones, making stock once the bag is full. 

2 - Add your scraps to a large pot, cover with water and bring to a simmer. I also like to add in some black peppercorns and a couple of bay leaves. Let the stock simmer for at least 30 minutes, but I like to let it go for as long as possible.

I’ll often make it a slow cooker and let it simmer all day or overnight. Especially when you use bones, it’s best to let it simmer longer to allow the collagen in the bones to break down. Salt at the end of the cooking process. 

3 - Strain the stock using a metal strainer. I usually place the strainer over a large bowl, strain out the stock remnants (compost them!) and then transfer the stock liquid to mason jars. It’s easiest to use a funnel to keep the spillage to a minimum. 

4 - Storing: Use immediately, store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to a year. To thaw, simply remove the stock from the freezer and transfer to the fridge the day before.  

That’s it! A super simple way to use up those food scraps and turn them into something delicious!

Food Scrap Stock: Tips, Tricks and Tools

Save your scraps: Most food scraps are great for stock. I keep a bag or container in the freezer and add my scraps throughout the week. Once the container is full, I’m ready to make stock!

What to save for stock: carrot and celery ends, onion peels, garlic skins, herb stems, kale stems, lemon and lime rinds, herbs of any kind, the woody ends of asparagus, broccoli stems (though these can be eaten just like broccoli!), squash peels, zucchini ends, scraps from bell peppers, leeks, green onions, mushrooms, corn cobs, really about any veggie scraps. 

Some ingredients like foods from the cabbage family, cilantro, a lot of carrot greens can make the stock bitter, so don’t go too crazy with these foods. Also save bones from chicken, beef, pork, fish, etc.  

What to avoid in stock: avocado pits, stone fruit pits (they’re toxic), banana peels, rhubarb leaves, anything that is moldy.

Freeze for later: Let your stock cool then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to a year. Keep in mind, liquid expands as it freezes so give the stock a little extra room in the container.

If you’re using a mason jar to store your stock, leave at least an inch of room at the top or you may end up with an exploded mason jar and frozen stock all over your freezer. I usually place the stock in the fridge and then transfer it to the freezer - it’s not a good idea to place hot liquid right into the freezer. 

Make it a veggie broth by omitting the bones and adding extra veggies. Give your food scraps a second life and use what you have on hand.

How to use Food Scrap Poultry Stock: Use it as a soup base, use instead of water for cooking rice, curry, chili, the list goes on...

We hope you love this simple Food Scraps Poultry Stock!

Love this simple Food Scrap Poultry Stock recipe? Check out our other Seasonal Soup recipes like this Italian Kale + White Bean Soup or our Vegetable Minestrone Soup.

Did you enjoy this Food Scrap Stock as much as we do?

Comment below! And rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out! Not cooking today? Save this Food Scraps Stock for later by pinning it to your Scrappy Recipes Board and make sure to tag us at The Crooked Carrot Instagram to show us your Food Scraps Poultry Stock creations!

📖 Recipe

food scrap stock

Food Scrap Stock

Food Scrap Stock - an easy homemade stock recipe using vegetable scraps and leftover chicken / beef bones. Repurpose those scraps into a delicious and nutritious food scrap stock!
4 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 12 hours hours
Total Time: 12 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 cups (depending on the size of your pot and how much water you add)
Author: The Crooked Carrot

Ingredients

  • vegetable scraps I usually accumulate scraps (the ends of celery, carrots and leeks). I wait until I have filled a ½ gallon bag with scraps before making stock.
  • 3 cloves garlic whole
  • 1 onion (medium) roughly chopped
  • 4 sprigs parsley
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 cups water depends on size of slow cooker
  • bones (chicken/turkey) from 2 chickens or 1 turkey
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook over low heat for 12-24 hours.
  • Strain: Once cooked, strain and store in a glass container – a large mason jar will do the trick!

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Mesh Strainer
  • 8-oz Mason Jars
  • Crock Pot/Slow Cooker

Notes

NOTES: Flexibility is key with this stock recipe. Just about any veggie scraps can be used in this stock. I would definitely recommend adding carrots, garlic, onions, and herbs to boost the flavor. 
PREP AHEAD: You can make this poultry stock days, weeks, even months in advance. Store it in the freezer and thaw when you need it. 
LEFTOVERS/STORAGE: Store in a glass container (I like to use a mason jar) in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for up to a year. Simply transfer to the fridge the day before to thaw. Be sure to let the stock cool before putting in the freezer (if you’re storing it in a glass container).
Do not put hot stock in the freezer in a glass container, otherwise the container may crack and stock will surely go everywhere,. We learned this the hard way...
NUTRITION NOTES: The nutritional profile will vary depending on the vegetables you use in this stock.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 2.5g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @crooked.carrot or tag #thecrookedcarrot!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that should you purchase something through the link, The Crooked Carrot will receive a small commission. The item cost remains the same regardless of whether you purchase through our link or not. Any commission earned simply helps us continue to provide all our great content to you. From seasonal recipes to simple nutrition insights & sustainable zero waste tips, we have lots more to give!

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About Libby

Welcome! I'm Libby, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, photographer & co-adventurer with my husband Dalton. We love all things outdoors, making a mess in the kitchen, and exploring the adventure of life! Read more ↠

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Hey, I'm Libby!

Hi, I'm Libby! Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. I help people find food freedom, learn to nourish and reconnect with their bodies so they can live a fuller life.

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The Crooked Carrot sits on the traditional lands of the Diné Bikéyah (Navajo), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Pueblos people, both past and present, now called Durango, Colorado. I acknowledge the wounds of the past in hopes of being able to heal for a better tomorrow.


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