This Instant Pot Bone Broth Trick Will Change The Way You Cook Forever
Why Your Bone Broth Isn’t Turning Out Right
You followed a recipe. Tossed the bones in. Pressed a button. Yet, what came out was a thin, sad liquid instead of the rich, gelatin-packed broth you expected.
Sound familiar?
The good news is, it’s not your fault. The problem isn’t the Instant Pot—it’s a small but crucial step nearly every recipe leaves out.
This guide fixes that.
How To Make Instant Pot Bone Broth Like A Pro
Bone broth isn’t just another stock. It’s a powerhouse of collagen, minerals, and deep, savory flavor.
The Instant Pot speeds up the cooking process without sacrificing depth.
But speed alone won’t get you that thick, nutrient-rich broth that wobbles like Jell-O when chilled.
That comes down to ingredients, timing, and one simple trick: roasting garlic before pressure cooking.
If you’re into building flavor from the ground up, you might love our Tuscan White Bean Soup made with hearty broth and pantry staples.
Ingredients For Home Made Instant Pot Bone Broth
- Bones (2-3 lbs) – Chicken carcasses, beef knuckles, or a mix of both
- Chicken Feet (2, optional) – Adds extra collagen
- Carrots (2, chopped) – Natural sweetness
- Celery (2 stalks, chopped) – Classic soup base
- Onion (1, halved, skin on) – Boosts color
- Garlic (1 whole head, roasted) – The secret weapon for deeper flavor
- Apple Cider Vinegar (1-2 tbsp) – Helps extract minerals
- Bay Leaf (1) – Subtle herbal note
- Peppercorns (10-12 whole) – Mild heat
- Fresh Herbs (Handful, parsley, thyme, or rosemary) – Layered aroma
- Water – Just enough to cover, staying below the max fill line
Need help understanding your Instant Pot’s sauté and pressure settings? Check out our Instant Pot Sauté Guide to get it right every time.
Step-By-Step Guide To Instant Pot Bone Broth
1. Roast The Bones (And Garlic)
Roasting bones at 425°F for 30 minutes creates deeper flavor. But here’s the trick: wrap a whole head of garlic in foil and roast it alongside the bones. The difference? The garlic caramelizes, adding a sweet-savory richness that balances the broth’s deep, meaty notes.
2. Blanch (Optional, But Worth It)
If clarity matters, boil the bones for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse. This removes impurities that can make broth cloudy.
3. Load Up The Instant Pot
Toss in everything—roasted bones, roasted garlic (squeezed from its skin), veggies, vinegar, herbs, and spices. Fill with water until everything is covered but below the max line.
4. Pressure Cook (The Right Amount Of Time Matters)
Set to High Pressure for 120 minutes. Some recipes say 90 minutes, but longer cooking extracts more collagen and minerals.
5. Natural Release (Don’t Skip This)
Let pressure release naturally. Rushing this step can cloud the broth.
6. Strain & Store
Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Let cool before refrigerating. The fat cap that forms on top helps preserve freshness.
Want to go deeper on roasting methods? Our Roasting Techniques Guide breaks it down beautifully for any skill level.
How To Make Bone Broth Even Better
- For A Darker Broth: Roast the bones even longer—up to an hour.
- For More Gelatin: Use knuckle bones, chicken feet, or oxtails.
- For More Flavor: Don’t skip the roasted garlic. It makes a massive difference.
- For Clarity: Blanching removes impurities before cooking.
- For Extra Nutrients: Add seaweed or mushrooms for added depth and umami.
- For A Boost Of Immunity: Stir in turmeric and black pepper before drinking.
If you’re adding herbs and spices to elevate your broth, you might enjoy our breakdown of Culinary Spices and what they bring to the table.
How Long Does Bone Broth Last?
- Fridge: Up to 5 days
- Freezer: Up to 6 months (freeze in silicone molds for easy portioning)
Ways To Use Bone Broth
- Sip it warm with a pinch of salt
- Use as a base for soups and stews
- Cook grains like rice or quinoa in it
- Mix into mashed potatoes for richer flavor
- Add to sauces for extra depth
- Use in place of water when cooking beans or lentils
- Blend with roasted vegetables for a quick, nutrient-packed soup
Broth is a game-changer in one-pot meals—try it in our flavorful Chicken Enchilada Soup for a cozy dinner win.
Nutritional Benefits Of Bone Broth
Bone broth is more than just comfort food. It’s packed with nutrients that support gut health, skin elasticity, and joint function.
- Collagen & Gelatin: Supports skin, hair, and nails while promoting joint health.
- Amino Acids: Glycine and proline help with digestion and inflammation.
- Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus contribute to strong bones.
- Gut-Healing Properties: Helps soothe and repair the gut lining.
Ingredient Swaps & Alternatives
- No Beef Bones? Use chicken wings, turkey necks, or even pork bones.
- No Apple Cider Vinegar? Lemon juice works just as well.
- Want A Vegetarian Alternative? Try a mushroom-based broth with seaweed for umami.
- Out Of Fresh Herbs? Dried herbs work too—just use half the amount.
- Want A Smoky Twist? Add a smoked ham hock or smoked paprika.
Instant Pot Bone Broth Recipe Card
Print
Instant Pot Bone Broth Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (plus natural release)
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: About 8 cups 1x
- Category: Stock, Broth, Soup, Base
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Instant Pot bone broth is rich in collagen and nutrients, making it a flavorful and nourishing base for soups, stews, or sipping on its own. Using the pressure cooker significantly reduces the cooking time compared to traditional stovetop methods while extracting deep flavors and essential minerals from the bones. Unlike standard recipes, this version includes a roasted garlic technique for an added depth of flavor.
Equipment
Instant Pot (6-quart or larger)
fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
large bowl
airtight storage containers
Ingredients
- 2–3 pounds mixed bones (chicken carcass, beef knuckles, or oxtails)
- 2 chicken feet (optional, for extra gelatin)
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, halved (leave skin on for color)
- 1 head of garlic, roasted and cut in half
- 1–2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 bay leaf
- 10–12 whole black peppercorns
- Handful of fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
- Water (enough to cover ingredients without exceeding the max fill line)
Instructions
- Prepare the bones: If using raw bones, roast them at 425°F (220°C) for 20-30 minutes to enhance their flavor. If using pre-cooked bones, move to the next step.
- Blanch (optional): To achieve a clearer broth, place the bones in a large pot, cover with water, bring to a boil for 10-15 minutes, then drain and rinse.
- Roast the garlic: Slice the top off a head of garlic, drizzle with a little oil, and wrap in foil. Roast in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes until soft. This step enhances the broth’s depth of flavor.
- Combine ingredients: Place the bones, roasted garlic, vegetables, apple cider vinegar, bay leaf, peppercorns, and herbs into the Instant Pot.
- Add water: Fill with water, ensuring it covers the ingredients but stays below the max fill line. Let sit for 20 minutes to allow the vinegar to begin extracting minerals.
- Pressure cook: Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 120 minutes.
- Natural release: Let the pressure release naturally for about 30 minutes.
- Strain: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the broth into a large bowl, discarding the solids.
- Cool and store: Let the broth cool at room temperature before transferring it into airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
Notes
- The addition of roasted garlic gives this bone broth a unique, mellow depth of flavor that sets it apart from traditional recipes. Instead of the sharp raw garlic taste, the roasting process enhances sweetness and umami, making the broth richer.
- Chicken feet are optional but recommended for a more gelatinous broth.
- If the broth doesn’t gel when refrigerated, it is still full of nutrients. Adding more collagen-rich bones next time can help.
- Use broth as a base for soups, stews, or as a sipping broth for gut health.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 cup
- Calories: 35 kcal
The Final Bite
Bone broth is one of those things that seems simple until you realize the difference small tweaks can make.
Roasting garlic, choosing the right bones, and letting time do its work turns a basic broth into something unforgettable.
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Written by Ryan Yates, an executive chef with 20 years of commercial kitchen experience.
Disclosure: This article uses automation for structure, but all insights and advice are provided by Ryan Yates, an experienced executive chef with over 20 years of expertise. Additionally, this post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to keep providing high-quality content.