Gut-Healing Bone Broth (Slow Cooker Method)

Bone broth is one of the oldest healing foods in human history. It provides glycine, proline, glutamine, and collagen — amino acids that support gut lining repair, joint health, and immune function.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs beef marrow bones or chicken frames (or a mix)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from bones)
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Filtered water to cover (approximately 12-14 cups)

Instructions

1. Roast the bones (optional but recommended): Place bones on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F for 30 minutes. This deepens flavor.
2. Add everything to slow cooker: Place roasted bones, apple cider vinegar, vegetables, and seasonings in a large slow cooker. Cover with filtered water.
3. Cook low and slow: Set slow cooker to LOW for 24 hours (beef bones) or 12 hours (chicken bones). The longer cooking time extracts more collagen and minerals.
4. Strain: Remove bones and vegetables. Strain broth through a fine-mesh strainer into glass jars.
5. Cool and store: Refrigerate. A layer of fat will solidify on top — this seals the broth and can be removed before serving or left for extra nutrition.

How to Tell It’s Good

• Jiggles when cold — this means it’s rich in gelatin/collagen
• Rich golden or brown color — indicates proper mineral extraction
• Mild, savory flavor — not bitter or bland

Storage

• Refrigerator: 5-7 days in sealed glass jars
• Freezer: 6 months in freezer-safe containers (leave 1 inch headspace for expansion)

How to Use

• Drink 1-2 cups daily as a warm beverage
• Use as base for soups, stews, and sauces
• Cook grains (rice, quinoa) in bone broth instead of water
• Add a splash to sauteed vegetables for extra nutrition

Nutrition Highlights

Per 1-cup serving (approximate):

• 40-50 calories
• 9-10g protein (primarily collagen)
• Rich in glycine, proline, and glutamine
• Good source of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus