Be sure to save the turkey bones from that delicious turkey you made using our exclusive downloadable turkey guide -- you can use them to make a pot of flavorful stock. Simmer them with some onions, carrots, and celery, and you'll have a freezable, low-sodium base for soups, stews, rice dishes, and more.
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What You'll Need
5 pounds leftover turkey bones (with some meat still attached), broken into large sections if necessary
1 pound yellow onions, skins on, halved or quartered depending on size
1/2 pound carrots, cut into 4-inch lengths
1/2 pound celery stalks, cut into 4-inch lengths
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
8 sprigs parsley
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Step 1
In a 3-gallon stockpot, combine all ingredients and fill with enough cold water to cover everything by 3 inches when submerged (about 6 quarts). If you don't have a large stockpot, use two smaller pots.
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Step 2
Bring to a rapid simmer over high (do not boil); reduce heat until bubbles barely break the surface. Simmer until flavorful, about 2 hours, skimming stock with a ladle every 30 minutes. Keep the stock at a bare simmer; a hard boil would evaporate too much liquid and make the stock cloudy. Any fat that remains after skimming can be easily removed once the stock is chilled.
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Step 3
Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard vegetables. Remove meat from bones and save for another use; discard bones. Let stock cool completely before refrigerating. (To store, refrigerate, up to 1 week, or freeze, up to 6 months.)
