I have been humming and hawing about getting an Instant Pot foreverrrrrrr, and when Christmas was coming last year I finally put it on my list, and Santa was ever so generous (thanks Em & Adam!).
And now that we've had it for a month and tested out a few recipes, I'm wondering WHYYYYYY I waited so long lol?! It's AMAZING in its functionality, and we've barely scratched the surface with everything it can do.
Not to mention, Aiden LOVES the process and using it. Although, he's still a little freaked out when it de-pressurizes and gets worried if he thinks we're not using it correctly, like it will spontaneously combust or something....
Anywho, this weekend we prepped for Week 1 of The FitMama Method and I wanted to make a homemade bone broth, as we had Beef & Barley Stew on the menu and needed it. Usually I make that recipe in the slow cooker, one of my fave kitchen items, but I wanted to see how the IP might make it and bone broth, so we gave it a go!
The upside of this machine: TIME SAVINGS! Ok now who doesn't want to win back time in their day? Right, EVERYBODY does! So this was the perfect test.
So why bone broth? What's all the hype about?
Bone broth has many health benefits:
Rich in vitamins and minerals, like calcium, magnesium, gelatin and collagen - the building blocks for every cell and particularly for muscle and connective tissue. Think better skin, hair, nails, and joints.
It can help ease inflammation and improve gut health - bone broth is rich in an amino acid called glutamine, which helps with the integrity of the intestinal lining, and can help with leaky gut and inflammatory bowel disease.
Easy to digest & delivers fluids & electrolytes - especially when you're under the weather and ill, drinking bone broth can help get important nutrients into your body while your immune system does its thang!
Can help support weight loss - being in a slight calorie deficit can leave you a bit peckish, and sipping on bone broth can help to ease the hunger pangs, while helping you maintain the deficit needed for weight loss.
And the great thing is you can use bone broth so many ways too. You can sip it like tea, you can use it to cook up any grains like rice or quinoa, and you can obviously use it as a base in any soups and stews. Perfect for this time of year!
Ok let's get to the good stuff - the recipe! You'll see just how quick and easy this is, and while it cooks you can be off doing other things. WIN-WIN!!
Enjoy, and if you make a batch be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! Or share a photo of your own batch and be sure to tag me on IG with @itscrystalelizabeth (my new handle!).
Cheers!
Easy Instant Pot Beef Bone Broth
Prep Time: 15min
Cook Time: 2hr
Total time: 2hr 15min
Makes: ~2 Litres bone broth
Ingredients:
1kg beef bones
2 carrots, chopped in 1/2" pieces
2 stalks celery, chopped in 1" pieces
1 onion, peeled & halved
3 garlic cloves, peeled & halved
2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2-3 dried bay leaves
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
8 cups filtered water - enough to fill the instant pot to 1" below MAX fill line
*Need 6-Quart Instant Pot or pressure cooker
Instructions:
Place the bones in the Instant Pot, then add in the vegetables, herbs, apple cider vinegar, peppercorns and salt.
Fill the Instant Pot with water to 1-inch below the MAX fill line.
Make sure your sealing ring is in place on the lid. Lock the lid onto the Instant Pot and set the steam release knob to the “sealing” position.
Press the "pressure cook" button and set your Instant Pot for high pressure for 120 minutes. It will take about 15-30 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to full pressure, then the display will show a countdown timer.
Once the two hours is up, allow the pressure to release naturally. It will take about 15-30 minutes, then the float valve will drop.
Strain the broth through cheesecloth or a strainer and cool. A good broth will usually have a layer of fat on the top, and will gelatinize when thoroughly cool. You can remove the fat with a spoon and discard, or keep it as is!
*NOTES:
FRIDGE STORAGE: bone broth will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. Anything longer be sure to freeze in small portions for ease of use.
FREEZING BONE BROTH: you can use a ladle to transfer broth into smaller containers, like 250-500ml mason jars. Just make sure to have a tight seal and leave an inch of room under the seal.
DON'T LIKE BEEF? You can sub with chicken or fish bones and still get an amazing flavoured bone broth!
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