Creating a self-sustaining lifestyle is a powerful goal, and one great way to enhance your homestead’s productivity and healthfulness is by making and canning your own chicken bone broth. Not only is this a fantastic method to use every part of the bird, but it also provides a nutrient-dense food source that supports health and wellness all year round. Let’s dive into why canning bone broth from pasture-raised chickens is the sustainable choice.
Why Bone Broth?
Bone broth has been celebrated for centuries for its health benefits. Packed with collagen, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients, it supports joint health, gut function, immunity, and skin elasticity. For homesteaders and health-conscious individuals, it’s an easy way to get extra nutrition, reduce waste, and create a rich base for soups, sauces, or just a comforting, warm drink.
Benefits of Pasture-Raised Birds
Pasture-raised chickens provide superior bone broth, both nutritionally and environmentally. Chickens raised on pasture have more varied diets and a natural lifestyle that leads to healthier, stronger bones with higher levels of vitamins and minerals. When you use bones from pasture-raised chickens, you’re getting a richer, more flavorful broth, free from the toxins that can accumulate in birds raised under conventional factory conditions. This results in a broth packed with beneficial nutrients without additives, hormones, or antibiotics.
Canning for Sustainability
Canning chicken bone broth is not only convenient but also an essential skill in self-sustainability. By preserving the broth, you extend the harvest season and reduce reliance on store-bought products. Canning also ensures you have nourishing food on hand in the event of a power outage, an unpredictable season, or any situation where food availability may fluctuate.
Step-by-Step Guide to Canning Chicken Bone Broth
1. Make the Broth:
• After cooking your pasture-raised chicken, reserve the bones. For added flavor, you can roast them briefly.
• Simmer bones in water with optional additions like apple cider vinegar (helps release minerals), onions, carrots, and celery. Let it simmer for 12–24 hours.
2. Prepare for Canning:
• Strain the broth to remove bones and vegetables.
• Pour the broth into sterilized jars, leaving about 1-inch headspace at the top.
3. Pressure Can:
• Bone broth needs to be pressure-canned to prevent botulism. Process in a pressure canner based on your altitude and jar size.
4. Store and Use:
• Once canned, store in a cool, dark place. Canned broth can last up to a year or longer when properly stored.
The Self-Sufficiency Connection
Raising, processing, and preserving your own food fosters a deeper connection to the earth and a sustainable lifestyle. By making and canning bone broth, you’re practicing no-waste agriculture, using every part of the bird for nutrition. Plus, having a pantry stocked with homemade broth reduces your reliance on industrialized food systems and fosters resilience in times of need.
Health Benefits Recap
Incorporating pasture-raised, homemade chicken bone broth into your diet provides:
• Joint and Skin Health: High collagen content supports joint flexibility and skin elasticity.
• Gut Health: Gelatin and amino acids aid digestion and strengthen gut lining.
• Immunity: A warm, nutrient-rich broth is a natural immune booster.
By promoting pasture-raised chickens and the art of canning, we support regenerative practices that benefit our health and the environment. Start canning chicken bone broth today to add a delicious, nutrient-rich staple to your kitchen that embodies true self-sustainability.
