Turkey Stock

As it is for most people the holidays are a crazy time for our family.  I made this turkey stock a month ago and am only getting to post about it now!  With the exception of the veg broth I use in a lot of recipes we cook with homemade stock.  It’s less expensive, I know what goes into it, and the sodium level won’t rocket your blood pressure.  Reading labels can be so frustrating at times.  The amount of sodium in the processed foods is scary.  And I love salt!  This recipe works for turkey, chicken, duck, and even goose though I haven’t tried goose yet.  It’s on the list.  ;)

You will want a large pot, especially if you are doing this with turkey.  We used our brew pot which holds a few gallons.  It was deep enough if I broke up the turkey a bit.  Cut off most of the meat.  Some meat is ok.

Turkey Stock 1 2013

Add an onion quartered and a large carrot which has been peeled and cut into large chunks.  These were our last carrots from the garden.  I also added a few crushed cloves of garlic.

Turkey Stock 2 2013

We had frozen some celery from our garden.  It worked out quite well for this application.  You want the green leaves of the celery for a tasty stock.  I don’t understand why the stores seem to insist on selling celery with the leaves chopped off.  There is so much flavour in the leaves!  It’s a main reason why we grow our own celery.

Turkey Stock 3 2013

Add sea salt and pepper to taste then fill the pot up with water.

Turkey Stock 4 2013

Bring to a boil then simmer for 2-3 hours.

When this is nearly done prep the jars by sterilizing them for 10 minutes in boiling water.  Then fill the jars with the stock.  I know a lot of people spend time skimming the stock and removing fat but given the amount of fat versus the stock amount this is a relatively low fat stock.  As is works very well for us and our recipes.

Turkey Stock 5 2013

While I am filling the jars I turn the heat on the water I used for the jars all the way down and toss in the rings and lids.  You don’t want to boil the lids.  Once the jars are filled I put the lids and rings on.  I tightened then put them back into the water and bring to a boil.  Once boiling I process for at least five minutes.

Turkey Stock 6 2013

Once that is done I remove and tighten any rings that are loose.  Then I let cool.  I swear to you I took pictures of the final product.  I can not find them anywhere!  I checked my camera and my phone.  Nada.  They will probably show up down the road.  :)

 

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23 thoughts on “Turkey Stock

  1. Lovely post, and very useful. I make my own stock from leftover bones of just about any meat we eat, and while I don’t sterilize and can mine, I tend to freeze it in tupperware for future use. Much, much better than anything you can buy in a store dried or concentrated or canned!

  2. I agree, it’s ridiculous that shops cut off the celery leaves. I make my own stock too as bought stock products all taste the same – and are full of salt as you point out, as well as other additives. Coincidentally, I am thinking of roasting a goose this weekend, so will be stock making with the carcass. I usually freeze my stock, so your jarring method interests me. Thanks, Tracey

  3. I love that you can your stock. Never thought of that before–smart. I was going to blog about making stock this week, too. I like to let it simmer in the crockpot.:)

  4. I agree with Maria. I didn’t know that stock could be canned. This is a really good thing to learn. Your turkey stock sounds wonderful. It’s one of my favorite things about the Thanksgiving dinner and I find it makes a wonderful risotto. And you’re so right about celery leaves. If the stalks don’t have leaves, I won’t buy them.

    • Celery is an interesting animal in the garden. You have to start the seeds right about now. They need a lot of heat and light and moisture. But once you get them in the garden it isn’t too bad. They just need a long time to grow. I don’t blanch my celery as it grows as I think that kills the flavour.

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