Homemade beef stock is easy to make. This recipe makes a deep, rich stock that makes the best soups and stews, with simple everyday ingredients. It tastes 100 times better than boxed stock and will completely up your soup game!
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Beef Stock
Did you know January is National Soup Month?!! YAY!!! That means I'll be posting some splendid soup recipes that are flavorful and delicious!
I'm also going to share how to make the BEST home-cooked, restaurant quality meals that are warm and wonderful. Let's cozy up to wintertime with a great bowl of soup!! For all of my tips and soup making tricks, check out Homemade Soup; A Complete Guide.
One of my best tips to make the best soups and stews starts with a great broth. And that's how we're kicking off the month. My Homemade Beef Stock Recipe makes for a thick flavorful broth that will make any soup taste even better!
This stock was made from the bones leftover from our prime rib a couple weeks ago! I removed the ribs, wrapped them well and froze them. They are perfect to make beef stock! They were from this perfect BEST Beef Noodle Soup Recipe!!
Stock is made with everyday ingredients that simmer together to meld all the flavors perfectly!
Ingredients
- beef bones
- onions
- celery
- carrots
- parsley
- garlic
- bay leaves
- fresh rosemary
- tomato paste
- red wine
- peppercorns
- salt
FAQ's
A stock is simmered longer than broth to extract every bit of flavor possible from the beef bones and aromatics!
Onion peels make homemade stock bitter. I used to never peel onions when making stock and sometimes it would have a bitter taste. After trial, error and experimentation, I realized the bitterness came from the onion skins.
In my experience, there's really no way to correct it once it becomes bitter.
Roasting the bones sounds like a waste of time and just an extra step? No, not at all! Roasting the bones will bring out an extra layer of flavor! And really that's what this is all about, right?!
Place the pot on the stove tightly covered and simmer the broth for four hours.
Soup recipes made with homemade stock
You can make some of the BEST soups and stews, of course! Like this amazing recipe for Beef Noodle Soup, but other favorites are;
Can you buy beef stock?
You bet! There are many options for stock at the store. If you choose to purchase stock (and I sometimes do also - no judgment!), be sure to check the sodium level on the side of the box. An inexpensive broth is often full of sodium and really isn't that good for you.
My recipe adds red wine & tomato paste to give the stock an incredible depth of flavor that you won't get out of a box. Yep.....I understand homemade stock is an investment in time, but the result is a rich, delicious beef stock that's really worth the time & effort.
Beef Stock Recipe
Steps to remove fat from the top of the broth
After cooking and straining the broth, it will most likely have a layer of fat on the top of the broth. There are a couple of easy ways to remove it;
- Using a spoon or ladle, scoop the fat off the top.
- Refrigerate the stock. The fats will solidify and can easily be removed.
- Using a fat separator.
Use a fat separator to remove the fat from the stock. It easily eliminates it and you are rewarded with quarts of delicious stock. They range in price from $10-$45 dollars.
If a separator is not in the budget, allow the stock to cool completely and refrigerate overnight. The next day, you'll be able to easily skim the fat off the top of the stock.
How to use a fat separator?
- Make sure the spout stopper and strainer are in place.
- Pour the stock or pan drippings into the fat separator.
- Allow the drippings to rest, the fat will rise to the top.
- Slowly pour the separated broth into a container.
- Discard the remaining fat.
Instructions
- For raw beef soup bones or marrow bones - preheat your oven. Put the roasted bones into a large stockpot and bake. (If you’re using leftover beef bones that have already been cooked, omit this step.)
- Remove from the oven & spread tomato paste over the bones, add the vegetables and return it to the oven and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.
- Remove it from the oven and place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoning. Deglaze the pan with wine, scraping all of the charred bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Add the water, cover tightly and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover to vent and simmer on the stove for four hours.
- After four hours, remove from the stove and allow to cool.
- Strain out the bones and vegetables and discard.
Best way to store broth
Quart-sized storage containers work great. Place in the freezer until you're ready to use it. Well sealed, this will keep in the freezer for over six months.
You can also store small amounts in ice cube trays.
More Homemade Stock Recipes
Equipment
- fat separator
- fine-mesh strainer
Please leave a five-star rating below for this rich and flavorful Beef Stock Recipe! Also, when you're cooking up my recipes, I'd love it if you would tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover!!
Best Beef Stock Recipe
Ingredients
- lbs beef bones 3-4
- 3 onions peeled and quartered
- 4 stalks celery cut into thirds
- 4 carrots cut into thirds
- 1 bunch of parsley
- 1 head of garlic entire head, sliced half
- 2 leaves bay
- 4-5 sprigs rosemary fresh
- 1 6 oz. can of tomato paste
- 1 bottle red wine recommend a good zinfandel or cabernet
- 1 teaspoon heaping of whole peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons salt or omit if you prefer
- 16 cups water
Instructions
- If you are using leftover beef bones and they are already cooked omit this step. If not, preheat your oven to 375 & put the bones into a large stock pot and bake them for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven. Spread tomato paste over the bones. Add the onions, celery, carrots and garlic into the pot. Return the pot to the oven and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.
- Remove it from the oven and place it on the stove on medium-high heat. Add the bay leaves, rosemary, peppercorns and salt to the stock pot. Add the wine and deglaze the pan, scraping all of the charred bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Add water, cover tightly and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover to vent and simmer on the stove for four hours.
- After four hours turn the stove off and allow the pot to cool. Once cool, strain out the bones and vegetables and discard.
- I recommend storing the stock in four cup containers and freeze until you're ready to use.
Daniel says
This looks great. Wish you told us how much wine to use? There is no way you pour an entire bottle in, is there? "Deglaze" does not take four cups. Also what type of red wine do you like to use?
Bowl Me Over says
Daniel it looks like you got hung up on ingredients. If you scroll down to the recipe card you'll see complete information. Best of luck and enjoy that yummy beef stock, it's great for soups and stews. Happy Holidays!
John Green says
It's the onion skins! Can't wait to try this.
I don't do all the social media but I will try your other tips
Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
You'll love it, this makes great stock! Thanks John!!!
Liza says
What a great recipe! I always buy it, but home-made is so much better! Thank you!
Bowl Me Over says
You're so welcome Liza - enjoy!!!
Sandra says
Look at the beautiful rich color of this beef stock! I bet the whole house smells delicious when making this. Perfect over roast beef and waaay better than store bought.
Bowl Me Over says
It does Sandra, simmering all day it's just the perfect recipe and so delicious!
Michaela Kenkel says
What a deep and amazing stock!! I can almost taste it!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Michaela, I hope you give it a try!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says
This beef stock looks so rich and full of delicious flavor!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Lisa, it's great for soups and stews!
Lois says
This is very good. I have made it and it is much better than what you buy at the store.
Bowl Me Over says
So true - I just love homemade stock!
Healing Tomato says
This is such a good idea. I like seeing recipes for homemade stock. It always comes out more flavorful than store-bought beef stock. Your pics look fabulous.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Rini - it's a labor of love, but boy is it worth it!