What ingredients do I need to make homemade turkey stock?

To make turkey stock, you’ll need a cooked turkey carcass with most of the meat removed, onions, celery stalks, carrots, and water. Optional ingredients that add flavor include whole black peppercorns, fresh parsley, and thyme. These ingredients simmer together to create a rich, savory stock perfect for soups, gravies, and sauces.

How do I make turkey stock from leftover turkey bones?

Break the turkey carcass into large pieces and place them in a large pot. Add quartered onions, chopped celery, chopped carrots, and any optional herbs or peppercorns. Cover everything with cold water, bring it to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Let it cook gently for 3 to 3.5 hours to extract deep flavor. Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve before cooling and storing.

How long does homemade turkey stock last in the fridge and freezer?

Fresh turkey stock can be refrigerated safely for up to 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the stock in airtight containers or ice cube trays, where it will keep well for up to 3 months. Always cool the stock completely before storing, and label containers with the date for easy tracking.

Can I use turkey stock the same way I use chicken or vegetable stock?

Yes, turkey stock can replace chicken or vegetable stock in almost any recipe, including soups, stews, risottos, and gravies. It provides a robust, rich flavor that enhances dishes with leftover turkey flavor, making it a versatile and flavorful base for cooking.

Should I roast vegetables before adding them to turkey stock, and does it improve flavor?

Roasting vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery before adding them to your stockpot can deepen the flavor by caramelizing their natural sugars. While it’s not required, roasting adds a warm, savory note to your turkey stock. After roasting, add the vegetables along with turkey bones and water, then simmer as usual for a richer stock.

Turkey Stock Recipe: How To Make Rich Flavor For Thanksgiving

Ingredients

Scale

1 cooked turkey carcass (about 4 pounds), meat mostly removed
4 to 5 pounds turkey or chicken wings (optional for deeper flavor; can be roasted)
2 large yellow onions (about 1 pound), peeled and quartered
4 medium stalks celery, coarsely chopped
4 large carrots, coarsely chopped
2 heads garlic, halved crosswise (optional)
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns (optional)
Few sprigs fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, sage, oregano, marjoram, or bay leaf (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil (for roasting wings and browning vegetables)
About 1 gallon (14 to 16 cups) water to cover
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste, usually added after cooking)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Optionally, preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Place turkey or chicken wings on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 40 to 50 minutes, flipping to brown evenly. Reserve pan drippings.
2. In a large stockpot, add broken pieces of the turkey carcass, roasted wings, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, peppercorns, and herbs.
3. Optionally, brown vegetables in the stockpot over medium heat with olive oil until golden.
4. Add water to the pot, enough to cover all ingredients. Add pan drippings. Simmer uncovered for 3 to 3.5 hours, reducing by half.
5. Remove solids, strain the stock through a fine sieve into a bowl. Strain again for clarity if desired.
6. Cool completely before storing in jars, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to three months.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🦴 Save turkey neck, carcass, and bones to maximize flavor.
🔥 Roasting wings deeply enhances color and richness.
🥕 Browning vegetables beforehand adds caramelized depth.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Roasting: 40-50 minutes
Cook Time: 3-3.5 hours
Category: Stock
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 4
Sugar: 0.1g
Sodium: 3.0mg
Fat: 0.1g
Saturated Fat: 0.0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 0.3g
Fiber: 0.1g
Protein: 0.4g
Cholesterol: 0mg