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The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
Bone broth has been around since your grandmother used to simmer chicken bones on the stove to make her should-have-been famous chicken noodle soup. While even the best bone broths may not be able to outdo your grandma’s, these options come pretty close. Plus, since it's easy to buy, it's become a versatile pantry staple.
Bone broth can be used in cooking in a variety of ways or some people like to sip on it in between meals. When it comes to this versatile ingredient, it's important to look at the ingredients listed as well as the simmer time, which varies by brand. You can find chicken or beef-flavored bone broth, and it's even available frozen or as a powder. The bone broth you go with will ultimately come down to taste preference and how you want to use it.
Best Overall
FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth
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Amazon
Organic
Shelf-stable glass jars
Great for cooking
Infusion of lemon, radish, onion, garlic may not work with all recipes
This bone broth by FOND comes in several different varieties, all infused with different flavor profiles. We love the "Spring Clean" variety, which is infused with lemon, radish, onion, and garlic. The flavors combine perfectly to complement lots of others—like in a Bloody Mary or to cook rice.
The glass jars are shelf stable, and the broth itself is preservative-free, collagen-rich, made in small batches, and slow simmered–perfect for sipping or cooking. Use it instead of things like oil, vegetable broth, chicken bouillon, or even water for a boost of nutrients and flavor. It’s also worth noting that the chickens are organic and free-range. Other varieties include Bouquet Garni, Youth Tonic, and Cantonada, to name a few.
The company also prides itself on a 100 percent plastic-free manufacturing process. "From our brew pots to the canner and even our lids - everything is stainless steel," it says.
Price at time of publish: $48 for a pack of 4 14-ounce jars
Calories: 56 | Protein: 14 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Sodium: 1114 milligrams | Fat: 0 grams
Best Organic
Kettle & Fire Bone Broth Variety Pack
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Amazon
Made with organic ingredients
Comes with two flavors
Flavorful
A little high in sodium
Because of its commitment to organic ingredients and recyclable packaging, Kettle & Fire earned the best organic bone broth spot with its Classic Chicken and Classic Beef Bone Broth. Both have a smooth, rich flavor that’s perfectly seasoned for both sipping and cooking. They also come in over 1-pound boxes so you have enough for all the ways you can use them.
Kettle & Fire also makes each batch by slow-simmering the bones from organic free-range certified chickens or grass-fed cows for at least 14 hours. Each serving combines 10 grams of protein with 0-1 gram of carbohydrates, no fat, and 310-330 milligrams of sodium, which is slightly high but it comes from sea salt.
Price at time of publish: $35 for a pack of 4 16.9-ounce boxes
Calories: 40-45 | Protein: 10 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Sodium: 310-330 milligrams | Fat: 0 grams
Best Chicken
Dr. Kellyann Roasted Chicken Bone Broth
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Amazon
Rich in protein
Short ingredient list
Paleo- and keto-friendly
Moderate amount of sodium per serving
When it comes to bone broth, the more "homemade" tasting, the better, and this version from Dr. Kellyann, celebrity nutritionist and naturopathic physician, hits the mark. Although broths can often suffer from blandness and a lack of flavor, this broth is an exception, and you will want to stock up. This keto-friendly and paleo-friendly broth has a short ingredient list–just water, chicken bone broth, sea salt, natural flavor, vegetable broth, parsley seed extract, bay extract–just the essentials without any hydrogenated fats, high fructose corn syrup, bleached or bromated flour, or synthetic nitrates or nitrites. You’ll be impressed by the depth of flavor from a store-bought product.
The brand recommends you "use as a rich and flavorful alternative to stock or water in any recipe." If you like this bone broth, be sure to check out the other varieties, such as classic chicken, Thai lemongrass, lemon lavender, low sodium classic chicken, and much more.
Price at time of publish: $9
Calories: 85 | Protein: 15 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Sodium: 503 milligrams | Fat: 3 grams
Best Budget
Swanson Chicken Bone Broth
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Amazon
Simple ingredient list
Rich flavor
Low calories per serving
Lower in protein
Commercially produced
Some bone broths can be cost-prohibitive for some, and that’s why Swanson stepped in to make a budget-friendly version that still tastes delicious and is made with simple ingredients.
Many commercially-prepared broth and stocks contain artificial ingredients, flavors, and sugar, but the Swanson bone broth combines only nine, easily recognizable ingredients—chicken stock, carrots, cabbage, celery, onions, salt, tomato paste, parsley, and thyme—to create a rich, flavorful broth that hits the spot without breaking the bank. It’s also non-GMO and made from chickens that weren’t treated with any antibiotics.
The macronutrients are on par with other more costly options. Each serving provides 8 grams of protein, less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, no fat, and just 35 calories.
Price at time of publish: $3
Calories: 35 | Protein: 8 grams | Carbohydrates: <1 gram | Sodium: 350 milligrams | Fat: 0 grams
Best Powder
Vital Proteins Organic Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth Collagen
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Amazon
Shelf-stable
Crystalline powder dissolves almost immediately
Rich flavor
Off-putting smell before mixing
If you’re looking for an easy way to take bone broth with you on the go or sneak it into savory dishes, the Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen has got you covered. Unlike other powdered bone broths that are bland and flavorless, Vital Protein’s bone broth powder has a surprisingly deep, rich flavor. It’s made from bones that come from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows and are slowly simmered and then transformed into a crystalline powder.
You can mix it with some hot water if you want to make a sipping broth or use it as an easy and convenient way to add some extra flavor to any soups, vegetables, or meat dishes.
Each serving provides 9 grams of protein with no carbohydrates or fat. There are also 50 milligrams of hyaluronic acid and 390 milligrams of chondroitin sulfate per serving.
Price at time of publish: $50
Calories: 40 | Protein: 9 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Sodium: 70 milligrams | Fat: 0 grams
Best Beef
EPIC Beef Jalapeño Bone Broth
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Amazon
Has a little kick
Made with minimal ingredients
Rich flavor
A little salty
EPIC is known for creating out-of-the-box flavors with all of its products. The brand stuck to its guns with the Beef Jalapeño Bone Broth, and it paid off.
Although the ingredient list is one of the simplest out of all of the other options—it uses only filtered water, grass-fed beef, onions, celery, carrots, mushrooms, jalapeño, garlic, sea salt, apple cider vinegar, lactic acid, thyme—the flavor is rich and highly developed. Additionally, the jalapeño adds a welcome little kick that perks you up without being too spicy.
With each serving of the EPIC bone broth, you’ll get 10 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and no fat.
Price at time of publish: $7
Calories: 50 | Protein: 10 grams | Carbohydrates: 3 grams | Sodium: 390 milligrams | Fat: 0 grams
Best Single-Serve
LonoLife Chicken Bone Broth Single Serve Cups
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Amazon
Portable and convenient
Paleo-friendly
Keto-friendly
Requires brewing system
When it comes to convenience and portability, this LonoLife bone broth is a winner. They are single-serve cups that fit in most single-serve beverage brewing systems, so all you have to do is shake the cup and set the brewing system to 8 ounces. They’re also recyclable, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and keto-friendly and are great for fueling up before a workout or refueling after a workout.
The ingredient list is short and consists of simply chicken bone broth, chicory root, yeast extract, natural flavors, black pepper, sage, and thyme. If you end up being a fan of this brand, be sure to check out their other varieties like grass-fed beef bone broth and Thai curry beef bone broth (some available in sticks instead of cups).
Price at time of publish: $20
Calories: 45 | Protein: 8 grams | Carbohydrates: 3 grams | Sodium: 610 milligrams | Fat: 0 grams
Best Frozen
Bonafide Provisions Organic Chicken Bone Broth
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Amazon
Stored in freezer, saving some pantry clutter
No stabilizers used
Free-range chicken bones used
Not quite as high in protein as others
If you’re like me, you have a fully-stocked freezer stuffed to the brim with everything from ice cream to frozen berries to homemade pasta sauce. Freezer storage has so many benefits, and while we may be used to storing store-bought broths in our pantries, those who make broth from scratch are used to utilizing the freezer for this purpose. So it makes sense that brands would follow suit and create freezer-friendly broth formulations. This small-batch chicken bone broth is organic and made from free-range chicken bones. It’s also gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and packaged in BPA- and EA-free bags.
It’s simmered for 18+ hours and fresh frozen, using filtered water and no stabilizers. Prep couldn’t be simpler–just defrost overnight (or place the frozen bag in a bowl of warm water to expedite the defrosting process) and then simmer on the stovetop. It is flavorful enough to be consumed on its own, but also is a great product to use in cooking any meal that requires liquid. Why add water to your next soup, when you could add this much more flavorful (and nutritious) alternative?
Price at time of publish: $10
Calories: 45 | Protein: 10 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Sodium: 280 milligrams | Fat: 0 grams
The FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth checks off all our boxes when it comes to a shelf-stable, organic, and versatile bone broth. EPIC's Beef Jalapeño Bone Broth is another great option, filled with veggies and spices, and made from the bones of grass-fed beef.
What to Look for in Bone Broth
Ingredients
As with any healthy consumable, it all starts with the ingredients. Ideally, you want a bone broth that’s made with organic pasture-raised and/or grass-fed bones, but depending on your budget, that might not always be possible, and that’s okay. Just make sure you’re always choosing a bone broth that has minimal ingredients—bones, veggies, spices, and herbs are good.
Simmer Time
The big thing that separates bone broth from regular broth or stock is the simmer time. Look for bone broth that’s been simmered for at least 12 hours. This extended simmering time ensures that all of the gelatin has been properly extracted from the bones and has made it into the broth.
FAQs
What does bone broth taste like?
Bone broth tastes like chicken or beef broth, depending on which types of bones are used, but with a slightly deeper and richer flavor. Some bone broths also have added veggies, like celery, carrots, onions, garlic, and even jalapeños, so it develops its flavor based on whatever is added to it.
How long does bone broth last?
When your bone broth doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, its shelf life isn’t as long as some other packaged foods you store in your pantry. Unopened bone broths stored at room temperature can last 6 months to a year, but make sure you check the expiration date as every manufacturer is different. As a general rule, canned bone broths will last longer than those packaged in a carton or pouch.
Once the bone broth is opened, it will last for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer.
How can you use bone broth in cooking?
The easiest way to use bone broth in cooking is as a base for soups and stews. You can also use it as the liquid when making rice or cauliflower rice, add it to mashed potatoes, or incorporate it into sauces and marinades. Aside from using bone broth in cooking, you can also heat it up and sip it in between meals.
“One of my favorite ways of utilizing bone broth is stirred into risotto for depth of flavor and velvety texture," says Chef Tatiana Rosana, the Executive Chef of Para Maria at The Envoy Hotel in Boston. "Using it as the base for cooking beans and legumes is a great way of adding extra comfort and nutrition to your dish. It’s great in spicy curries and comforting mashed potatoes, and can even be used to perfectly poach your eggs.”
Does bone broth have collagen?
Bone broth does contain collagen, one of the most abundant proteins in your body and a major component of your connective tissues. The amount of collagen in bone broth varies, though, since it comes directly from the bones and connective tissue used to make the broth.
It's worth noting after the body digests collagen into amino acids, which make up proteins, those proteins can become any number of things that the body may need: enzymes, tissue, collagen, etc. It is not guaranteed that the collagen consumed will turn back into collagen.
What’s the difference between bone broth and chicken broth?
The major difference between bone broth and chicken broth is the simmering time. Bone broth is typically simmered for 12 to 48 hours, while broths and stocks are made more quickly, with usually around 2 to 3 hours of simmering time.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best bone broths on the market, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, protein content, and price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive gut-health knowledge and food and beverage-testing experience. She’s also developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the healthiest, best-tasting options and ingredients across all food and drink categories.
The Spruce Eats writer Alyssa Langer is a registered dietitian and foodie, always curious about the next food or ingredient craze and hungry to learn and try more. Having worked in cookbook publishing, CPG label data, nutrition writing, and meal kits, her diverse background and varied interests provide a unique perspective that fosters clear, well-researched, and trustworthy reviews. She updated this story to include the most up-to-date information.
Amanda McDonald is an editor at The Spruce Eats and has over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing about all things food — from what new products are at the grocery store to chef-approved hacks that keep tricky leftovers fresh for days. She updated this article to include the most up-to-date information.
Sources
- Chef Tatiana Rosana, Executive Chef of Para Maria at The Envoy Hotel in Boston
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