How to make stock (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of making a good stock? ›

Long and slow. A long slow simmer is better than a ferocious boil when it comes to making stock. The lengthy cooking time releases the flavour from the bones gently and extracts every bit of flavour resulting in a richer, perhaps even jelly-like result.

Chicken stock can be simmered for as little as 1 hour or up to 8 hours. Most often, you'll see recipes call for somewhere in between, about 3 to 4 hours. The longer the stock simmers, the more concentrated its flavor.

Simmer uncovered for 6 to 8 hours. Strain stock through a fine mesh strainer into another large stockpot or heatproof container discarding the solids. Cool immediately in large cooler of ice or a sink full of ice water to below 40 degrees.

Basic Ingredients. Stocks are prepared with a few basic ingredients including bones, mirepoix, herbs and spices, and sometimes tomatoes or wine. They are often prepared using leftover ingredients as a cost-effective measure for the kitchen.

When using for soup, I like to add about 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to each quart (4 cups) of chicken stock (if using table salt, use 1/2 teaspoon per quart). To save room in my freezer, I like to reduce the stock down by simmering it util it's 1/4 of its original volume.

I've found that two hours is a good amount of time for simmering chicken stock. A good amount of flavor is extracted from the chicken, but it's not an all-day affair. Just make sure you taste the stock, as it may need a little more time to get it to where you want it.

Cook it too long, though, and you get into a case of seriously diminishing returns. Throughout my testing, I tasted my stocks as they cooked, and I generally found about one and a half hours to be a reasonable endpoint—plenty of time for a flavorful, rich broth, but not so long that it's a major commitment to make it.

Is it OK to simmer stock overnight? ›

Add vegetables and possibly saved veggie scraps. Fill with water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to the lowest simmer my stove burner will maintain, and leave it to simmer all night long. In the morning, I'll strain the stock and let it cool, and toss all the used bits in the trash.

All you need to do while the stock is simmering is check the pot every now and then to make sure the stock isn't running too dry. You know your stock is done when the color turns a rich golden brown. The texture will be slightly gelatinous and may become more so as it's cooled.

To make homemade chicken stock, place chicken bones, vegetables, herbs and spices into a large pot. Cover with cold water then simmer for about 3 hours. Let it cool, then skim the fat. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

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