Easy Instant Pot Turkey Stock Recipe
There are many reasons to make turkey stock, but the most popular reason is for soup. Making your own stock means you know what’s in it and how healthy it is. It also means you can tailor the flavors exactly how you want them! This Instant Pot Turkey Stock Recipe will help kick off your next great soup-making adventure. Homemade stock is a great way to use up leftover turkey carcass!
One of the coolest things about Thanksgiving dinner is that it’s the meal that just keeps on giving, with leftovers that get more creative as the days go by. Even the leftover Thanksgiving turkey carcass can be put to good use – such as this homemade turkey stock recipe.
All you need is an Instant Pot, a turkey or chicken carcass, and some veggies to add extra flavor. This recipe will take you step-by-step through the process of making a flavorful stock, give some tips to make it easy, and suggest some recipes that you can make with the finished product.
Turning leftover turkey or chicken into stock is a great way to produce a cooking base far tastier and healthier than what you can buy in the store. And because you probably have all the ingredients on hand, it’s practically free. You can even use scraps from cooking, like the tops of celery, carrot peels, and leftover onions. Making stock in the Instant Pot will save you time and money, so what’s not to love!
What’s the difference between broth, stock and bone broth?
Broth, stock, and bone broth are liquids derived from cooking meat in a large volume of water, often with herbs and spices, as well as vegetables, for added flavor. They are somewhat interchangeable, but each has its own place to shine in cooking.
Broth is made from cooking meat bones with vegetables, such as onions, carrots, and other flavorful veggies and herbs – and additional meat thrown in. The meat is often used right away along with the broth, in a good chicken soup for example. It’s also used to cook veggies and meat in, or instead of water in rice or potato recipes.
Stock is made from leftovers, by cooking the carcass for a long time in the water with herbs, spices, and flavorful veggies. This makes an excellent gravy base, or as a base for a hearty winter soup. Stock contains more calories, but it also has more vitamins, minerals, and protein. Its silky texture comes from the gelatin that is released from the bones and collagen over the long cooking time.
Bone broth is also derived from cooking meat in water. Bone broth simmers for the longest time, which allows the bones to fully release their flavor and collagen-based protein. People love drinking bone broth as a soothing beverage in the winter or when sick, or used as the base for gravies and other rich sauces and hearty soups.
How long does homemade stock last?
When properly stored in an airtight container, a homemade stock should last about four days in the refrigerator. It can last in the freezer for about six months.
Can you freeze turkey stock?
Yes! This is probably the best way to store your homemade stock unless you are using it right away. It’s probably easiest to freeze in 1-2 cup portions in freezer-safe containers, such as glass jars (like mason jars) or a freezer bag that’s laid flat to freeze. These Souper Cubes are specifically designed for soups and broths, and they are a great way to store them for later! You could also freeze in smaller portions in an ice cube container.
This gelatin looks unappetizing, but it’s got so much of the flavor, so don’t toss it!
Can I do this with chicken bones instead?
Yes, you could use a chicken carcass instead.
How do I make stock in the Instant Pot?
Making stock or broth on the stove can be an hours-long process, and it steams up the kitchen, takes up space, and can make a mess if you’re not careful. Making it in the Instant Pot is an excellent alternative. You can make it in a fraction of the time, easier, and cleaner.
Take the carcass and pick off all the meat you intend to use in other ways. Break it into smaller pieces by cutting off the legs, and breaking the spine if needed. Kitchen scissors work wonders for this task.
Add the carcass to the Instant Pot, along with a quartered onion, some chunks of carrots, celery, and other flavorful veggies if you want. Add fresh herbs like thyme, bay leaves, or rosemary, and salt and peppercorns. There is no need to peel the carrots or onion, just cut them into chunks for easier fitting into the pot.
Cover with water up to the top of the carcass, or to the fill line in the Instant Pot, whichever is lower. Seal, set to high pressure for 40 minutes, and allow at least ten minutes for a natural release before opening with a quick release.
Allow the stock to cool enough to handle, and strain using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl. This removes the impurities and small bits of meat, veggies, and herbs to give you a smooth, even texture.
What is the best way to use turkey carcass stock?
There are lots of easy recipes you can use turkey stock in – really, anything that you might use chicken stock in, suck as a turkey noodle soup.
How long do leftover turkey bones last?
If you are making stock from leftover turkey bones, it’s best to do it right after dinner or put the bones in the fridge. Leaving turkey leftovers out for a long time can lead to spoilage or food-born bacteria taking hold.
The longer you cook the bones, the more rich and flavorful the stock will be. If you cook the bones for two hours, it will be a rich bone broth.
Strain the liquid, but don’t skim off the filmy layer that rises to the top as it cools. This is the gelatin that adds flavor, smoothness, and protein.
Store the stock in your fridge for up to five days, or freeze for six months. It helps to freeze it in smaller portions, about one or two cups each, so that they are ready to use when you need them.
How high can I fill my Instant Pot?
Do not fill the pot beyond the 2/3 fill line. Once you add the turkey, you can fill in the cracks and crevices with the veggies.
Ingredients
- Carcass from turkey or chicken, as much as fits easily into the Instant Pot
- One onion, chopped, no need to peel
- Two or three carrots, chopped to fit into pot
- Other veggies like celery, optional
- Handful of thyme
- Two to three bay leaves
- Half head garlic, optional
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- Up to 3 quarts water, being careful not to pass the 2/3 fill line
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Using leftover carcass or bones, pick off any meat you want to use for other purposes. Cut to size to fit into the pot.
- Add veggies, herbs to fit around the carcass.
- Cover with cold water, up to 3 quarts (12 cups) or up to the 2/3 fill line.
- Set timer for 45 minutes, close the top, seal the vent, and cook.
- When cooking is complete, give it at least ten minutes of a natural release, up to half an hour.
- Strain the stock using a very fine sieve or cheese cloth.
- Do not remove the gelatin layer at the top of the cooled liquid.
- Use within five days, or freeze for up to six months.
Instant Pot Turkey Stock Recipe
Ingredients
- Carcass from turkey or chicken, as much as fits easily into the Instant Pot
- One onion, chopped, no need to peel
- Two or three carrots, chopped to fit into pot
- Other veggies like celery, optional
- Handful of thyme
- Two to three bay leaves
- Half head garlic, optional
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- Up to 3 quarts water, being careful not to pass the 2/3 fill line
Instructions
- Using leftover carcass or bones, pick off any meat you want to use for other purposes. Cut to size to fit into the pot.
- Add veggies, herbs to fit around the carcass.
- Cover with cold water, up to 3 quarts (12 cups) or up to the 2/3 fill line.
- Set timer for 45 minutes, close the top, seal the vent, and cook.
- When cooking is complete, give it at least ten minutes of a natural release, up to half an hour.
- Strain the stock using a very fine sieve or cheesecloth.
- Do not remove the gelatin layer at the top of the cooled liquid.
- Use within five days, or freeze for up to six months.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- How to Make The Perfect Turkey Gravy with Drippings
- The Best Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Easy Gravy Recipe Without Drippings
- 4-Ingredient Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
- The Best Instant Pot Tomato Soup Recipe
- The Best Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Loaded Potato Soup
If you are looking for easy use for leftover bones from your holiday turkey, you definitely should consider making this delicious stock! It’s a fantastic way to get the most use out of your turkey.
