7 Best Bone Broths of 2024: Nutritionist Recommendations

Bone broth has been receiving all the hype lately due to the potential health benefits it may offer—such as improved joint health, skin health, and even gut health.

Bone broth is a stock made from simmering animal bones, vegetables, herbs, and spices together to create a nutrient-dense, flavorful liquid. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins (including collagen and essential amino acids), it can be a valuable source of nutrients. However, not all pre-packaged bone broths are necessarily equal.

Let's dive deeper into how bone broth is made, the potential benefits of bone broth, and seven of the best nutritionist-recommended bone broths to consider!

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is a nutrient-rich liquid created by simmering animal bones and connective tissues, typically with vegetables, herbs, and spices. It utilizes a slow-cooking process that extracts various compounds from the bones, resulting in a broth that is not only flavorful but also includes minerals, collagen, amino acids, and other beneficial nutrients.

After the simmering process, the broth is strained to remove bones, vegetables, and may then be stored in glass jars or cans. Some companies may use additional processing methods like high-pressure processing (HPP) or flash-freezing to preserve the broth while maintaining its nutritional quality.

While store-bought bone broth is a convenient option for many, it’s also easy to make bone broth at home in the same way you’d make other types of stocks. To make bone broth, animal bones and other ingredients are simmered in hot water and an acid such as vinegar for an extended period, typically ranging from several hours to over a day.

There are many bone broth recipes online that you can follow, including recipes for beef, chicken, turkey, and fish broth. 

Ingredients in Bone Broth

Here is an overview of the ingredients commonly used in many commercially produced bone broths that you’ll find at the grocery store:

• Bones: High-quality animal bones, often sourced from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals, are used to make the broth; Various bones, including marrow bones, oxtail, and joints, may be included to make the broth richer in flavor.
• Water: Purified water is used as the liquid base in the cooking process.
• Vegetables: Many bone broth companies include vegetables in their broth such as onions, carrots, and celery for extra flavor and added nutrients.
• Vinegar: A small amount of vinegar, often apple cider vinegar, may be added to help extract minerals from the bones.
• Herbs and spices: Ingredients like bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, peppercorns, and other aromatics are commonly used to enhance bone broth's flavor.

When choosing a bone broth, consider factors like taste, texture, price, and ingredients to ensure you're choosing one that best suits your needs and goals. Depending on the company and the broth’s shelf life, bone broth may be sold as a shelf-stable product, refrigerated, or frozen.

Is Bone Broth Healthy?

Although scientific studies are still lacking, bone broth is often touted as having various health benefits. So, is bone broth good for you? Internal medicine physician Dr. Hannah Schroeder shares, bone broth “is higher in protein and collagen than regular chicken or beef broth, so it can be a good alternative to those for people who are trying to up their protein and collagen intake."

In addition to being a source of protein and collagen, here are some of the potential health benefits associated with adding bone broth to your diet:

• Joint health: Bone broth contains a notable amount of collagen, a protein found in connective tissues, which may contribute to joint health by supporting the structure and integrity of cartilage in the body.
• Skin health: The collagen in bone broth, along with amino acids like proline and glycine, may contribute to better skin health by supporting elasticity and hydration.
• Gut health: Bone broth contains gelatin, which may help support gut health and digestion by promoting the integrity of the inner gut lining.
• Nutrient absorption: Glycine, an amino acid found in bone broth, may enhance nutrient absorption and support the body's natural detoxification processes.
• Protein source: Bone broth contains about 10 grams of protein per cup, which can help boost daily protein intake. 
• Hydration: Drinking bone broth may also aid in proper hydration due to its water content, making it a flavorful alternative to other beverages.

While bone broth can be a nutritious addition to a balanced diet, it should not replace a diverse and balanced intake of foods. As with any potential dietary change or consideration, we recommend consulting with a nutritionist or healthcare professional to ensure your nutritional needs are being met.

7 Nutritionist-Approved Bone Broths to Choose From

Whether you want to start adding bone broth to recipes or drinking it on its own, it's important to be aware of the different types of broths out there. When choosing a broth, be sure to pay attention to its nutritional content, price, taste, and texture to ensure it's suitable for you.

Here are our top 7 picks for the best bone broths to consider.

1) Brodo Hearth Bone Broth

Pros:

• Made from a combination of chicken, beef, and turkey bones
• Smooth texture and mild aftertaste
• Comes in different flavors

Cons:

• Higher in sodium content, which may be a concern for some people

Made with a blend of different types of bones, Brodo Hearth Bone Broth is a great option for any recipe, and is sold in a convenient single-serving pouch.

Nutritionist Amanda Donahue, MS, RD, CD notes, "bone broth is a great option when you're sick, both for hydration and for electrolyte repletion if needed. Not only is this broth packed with nutrients, but it also has a smooth texture and consistency and a very mild aftertaste, making it optimal for those choosing to drink bone broth on its own."

2) Bare Bones Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth

Pros:

• Made from grass-fed beef bones
• Hearty flavor that has hints of herbs and vegetables

Cons:

• Slightly thicker consistency than water and other broths
• Higher sodium content

Nutrisense nutritionist Victoria Eaton, RDN, LDN, IFNCP loves that "the Bare Bones Organic Beef Bone Broth uses only grass-fed beef bones as well as numerous other ingredients for flavor and added health benefits, such as turmeric, apple cider vinegar, and ginger."

3) Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth

Pros:

• On-the-go packaging makes preparation easy and simple
• Smooth consistency 
• Contains nine grams of collagen per container

Cons:

• May contain small traces of wheat, meaning it may not be gluten-free
• Higher sodium content

With a smooth consistency with little to no sediment or particles left over and an easy-to-use to-go cup, the Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth is perfect for drinking on its own or using in a stew!

Nutritionist Kim Vair, MS, RDN, 200-RYT notes, "this brand is an excellent option for busy people needing a convenient, nutritious boost of collagen in their day. If you’re sodium sensitive, keep in mind that this brand contains 460 milligrams of sodium per one and a quarter cup.”

4) Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth

Pros:

• High protein content
• Lower sodium content

Cons:

• Powder form may have a thicker, more gelatinous consistency

Nutritionist Patrick Scheel, RDN, LDN adds, “high in protein and low in sodium, Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth is a simple yet nutrient-dense broth made from beef and chicken bones. The simple ingredients create a mild flavor best suited for recipes or those who prefer a milder flavor.”

Due to this being a concentrated powder form of bone broth, it may be more difficult to achieve a smoother consistency when mixed with water. 

5) FOND Organic Chicken Bone Broth

Pros:

• Uses minimal, simple ingredients
• Made from free-range pastured chickens

Cons:

• Mild flavor despite strong chicken scent

Nutrisense nutritionist Emma Simpkins, MS, RDN loves that "FOND Organic Chicken Bone Broth only uses three ingredients: water, chicken bones, and sea salt. These minimal ingredients are optimal for those looking for a simple bone broth. Plus, this broth is made with only free-range pastured chickens, which may be a plus for those concerned with sustainability."

6) ZOUP! Really Good Chicken Bone Broth

Pros:

• Homemade flavor made from four simple ingredients
• Budget-friendly
• Creamy and smooth consistency

Cons:

• Lowest protein content on this list, at four grams per cup

If you're looking for budget-friendly, flavorful bone broth, ZOUP! Really Good Chicken Bone Broth is a nutritious option that can be consumed on its own or used in a variety of recipes.

Nutritionist Yvonne Mahl, MHSC, RDN, LDN, IFNCP notes, "although this broth has the lowest amount of protein on this list, its homemade flavor made from simple ingredients is an optimal choice for those on a budget. Plus, it has a creamier consistency with little to no sediment or particles left over."

7) Kettle & Fire Chicken Bone Broth

‍Pros:

• Made from free-range chicken and grass-fed beef bones
• Smooth and thin consistency 

Cons:

• Higher sodium content

Made from free-range chicken and grass-fed beef bones, Kettle & Fire Chicken Bone Broth is another organic option that offers many different flavors to choose from.

Nutritionist Payton Baker, RD, MS, LMNT adds, "this broth is made from flavorful, organic ingredients such as veggies, spices, herbs, and apple cider vinegar. The thing I love about this is that it's another super easy way to get in additional protein and a natural way to up collagen intake!"

Are There Downsides of Bone Broth?

Even though bone broth can make for a valuable, nutrient-dense addition to many people's diets, it's important to be aware of and consider any potential downsides.

One notable concern is the high sodium content in some bone broth options, especially if they are highly processed or include extra salt. For people with salt sensitivity, excessive sodium intake may contribute to elevated blood pressure and increase the risk of certain cardiovascular diseases. 

To address concerns about high sodium content, you may opt for low-sodium versions of bone broth or simply make it at home. If you have a histamine intolerance or are sensitive to histamines, which are naturally occurring compounds in bone broth that can trigger allergic-like reactions, you may also want to take caution when consuming bone broth.

Is it Good to Drink Bone Broth Every Day?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should drink bone broth every day, as it greatly depends on individual circumstances, nutritional needs, and health goals. But if you do choose to consume bone broth daily, keep your overall sodium intake in mind or consult a nutritionist for guidance on optimal levels of sodium consumption.