A dietary staple of generations past, bone broth undoubtedly takes time and effort (and a bit of a mess) to cook—but its soothing flavor and variety of health benefits make it a worthwhile endeavor. After all, real homemade bone broth has multitudes more to offer than prepackaged stock or bouillon cubes.
Humans have been making bone broth by simmering bones from fish, beef, chicken, turkey, and other animals for as long as we’ve cooked over fire. And though it’s long been considered an essential source of nutrients in cultures across the globe, Americans are only recently understanding just how potent bone broth is for our health and well-being. For example, chicken bone broth is one of the world’s best sources of type II collagen, while also providing a food source of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and more.
You see, as bone broth simmers, collagen from the animal parts included seeps into the broth and becomes readily absorbable to support your joints, skin, nails, and gut. Bone broth also features beneficial amino acids, including glycine, glutamine, and arginine.
Read More: Why The Bone Broth Trend Is Here To Stay
But how can you use bone broth beyond just sipping it straight or making chicken soup? With a little creativity, the possibilities are practically endless. Here are some fun ways to get more bone broth into your diet.
1. Cook your grains in it
For starters, you can cook all of your grains in bone broth instead of water. Not only does this help boost your side’s collagen protein content, but it also gives grains a rich, delicious taste. Whenever you’re able, swap bone broth for water in grain recipes. Depending on your flavor preferences and the dish you’re making, you might even opt for half-bone broth and half-water to keep things a little milder.
2. Steam vegetables in A Splash Of bone broth
Similarly, you can use a few splashes of bone broth to steam vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, brussels sprouts, and asparagus. Veggies provide amazing nutrients all by themselves, and absorb some of bone broth’s nutrients (including collagen) when steamed in it. Of course, the added flavor is a perk here, too.
3. Eat more soups and stews
Likewise, bone broth can be used as the base for any of your favorite beef- or chicken-based soup or stew recipes. If you’re sick of the same old chicken noodle, though, mix up your soup routine with something like this meatball soup recipe:
Meatball Soup Recipe
*Serves 8
*Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds ground bison or beef
- 2 eggs, whisked
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or cayenne
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 4 cups bone broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 carrots, washed and chopped
- 1 large sweet potato, chopped
- 1 cup green beans
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix meat, eggs, sea salt, and paprika or cayenne. Roll into small meatballs.
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for five to eight minutes, until just browned.
- Add bone broth, bay leaves, carrots, and sweet potatoes, and simmer over medium-high heat.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are cooked through.
4. Add nutrition and flavor when braising
Braising (which involves roasting and then steaming food in a sealed container) is a time-honored cooking method that makes for a delicious meal. It produces tender proteins and can transform even the hardiest vegetables (like cabbage and fennel) into buttery, satisfying side dishes. And though you can absolutely braise your favorite proteins or veggies in water, swapping in bone broth adds richness and depth of flavor sure to elevate your eats.
Chicken broth adds just enough dimension (not to mention protein and other nutrients) to this simple braised cabbage:
Braised Cabbage
*Serves 6
*Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 medium white onions, cut and thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, cut into thin rounds
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 Savoy cabbage, halved, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 cup chicken bone broth
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add in the onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook, stirring until the onions start to turn golden, about eight minutes.
- Add in the cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage wilts, about five minutes.
- Add in the bone broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until tender, around 20 minutes.
- Uncover and add in the apple cider vinegar. Increase the heat to medium, and cook for another 10 minutes, occasionally stirring. Season with sea salt and pepper, to taste. Serve hot.
Read More: 7 Sweet Treats You’d Never Know Have Bone Broth In Them
5. Stir bone broth protein into your coffee
No doubt, you’ve added some sort of protein (like collagen) to your morning cup of coffee before—and swapping in Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Collagen is an easy way to add a punch of protein to your cuppa while also reaping other benefits of bone broth, such as nutrient-cofactors found in the nutritious liquid. Made from dehydrated bone broth, Bone Broth Collagen is a convenient way to sneak bone broth (and its perks for skin, joints, and gut health) in without a trace of meat-y flavor.
6. Blend bone broth protein into smoothies
You can also swap whatever protein you usually blend into smoothies out for Bone Broth Collagen—or simply add a scoop of the bone broth-derived powder into the mix. If you need a little inspiration, try this piña colada-inspired delight.
Piña Colada Smoothie Recipe
*Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 8 oz coconut milk
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 cup frozen banana
- 1 scoop Vanilla Bone Broth Collagen
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds, ground
Directions:
- Combine the ingredients in a high-speed blender
- Blend well. Add a little water as needed if too thick.
7. Power up your protein pancakes
Protein pancakes are really the best of both worlds; they taste as indulgent as your go-to diner order but supply body- and muscle-fueling protein to support your health and fitness. This paleo protein pancakes recipe uses Vanilla Bone Broth Collagen for extra sweetness.
Paleo Protein Pancakes
*Serves 2
*Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- ½ cup applesauce
- 3 eggs
- 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil
- ½ cup almond meal
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 2 scoops Vanilla Bone Broth Collagen
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk applesauce, eggs, and oil together thoroughly.
- Stir in almond meal, coconut flour, protein powder, and sea salt, and allow to sit for five minutes.
- Heat one teaspoon of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Brush the skillet to make sure the oil evenly coats the surface.
- Once hot, drop batter into skillet and fry until bubbles form on one side. Flip and finish cooking.
- Top with fresh berries, maple syrup, or raw honey and cinnamon.
8. Level up your chia pudding
Simple chia pudding is endlessly customizable and just as nutritious as an on-the-go breakfast, snack, or post-workout refuel. Add some Bone Broth Collagen to your pudding for a boost of benefits. This sweet-tart flavor of this chia seed pudding really pops:
Blueberry Lemon Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
*Serves 2
*Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop Vanilla Bone Broth Collagen
- 6 Tbsp chia seeds
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon (about 1 Tbsp)
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 5 Tbsp)
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Greek yogurt, optional
- Fresh blueberries, optional
Directions:
- In a high-speed blender, add frozen blueberries, almond milk, and Bone Broth Collagen powder. Blend on high until smooth.
- In a medium-sized bowl, pour in the berry mixture. Whisk in chia seeds, lemon zest, lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined. Let sit for five minutes, and then stir again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Stir the mixture again before serving. Optionally top with yogurt and fresh blueberries.
Dr. Josh Axe, D.N.M., D.C., C.N.S., is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, author, and co-founder of Ancient Nutrition. Dr. Axe operates one of the world’s largest natural health websites, sharing healthy recipes, herbal remedies, nutrition and fitness advice, and information on essential oils and natural supplements. Dr. Axe founded one of the largest functional medicine clinics in the world and has served as a physician for many professional athletes.