Bone Broth Recipes: Simple Sippable Mini Meals

These bone broth recipes give you a warm, savory base you can sip from a mug or build into a small meal in minutes. When your appetite is small, a cup of homemade broth with an egg, a spoon of shredded chicken or a few noodles can feel easier than a full plate. Below you will find a basic chicken bone broth, a richer beef version, slow cooker and pressure cooker methods, and eight simple ways to turn a mug of broth into a mini meal.

By Imaya, GLP-1 Living. Last updated: November 2026.

This is an everyday recipe guide, not medical advice. If you have food allergies, a medical condition, need to watch your salt or have specific nutrition targets, check with your prescriber or a registered dietitian about which foods fit you.

Why bone broth recipes work for small appetites

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  Easy to sip. A warm mug asks very little of you on days when chewing a full meal feels like a lot.

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  A base, not a finished dish. Add an egg, chicken, tofu, beans or noodles and a cup of broth becomes a mini meal.

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  Batch friendly. One pot gives you several days of broth in the fridge and more in the freezer.

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  You control the salt. Homemade broth lets you season to taste instead of relying on a carton.

What you need for any bone broth

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  Bones. Roasted chicken carcasses, wings, backs or feet, or beef marrow, knuckle and oxtail bones. A mix of meaty and joint bones gives the most body.

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  Aromatics. Onion, carrot, celery, garlic and a bay leaf. Leek tops and parsley stems are good too.

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  A splash of vinegar. About a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per pot is a classic addition.

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  Cold water. Enough to cover the bones by a couple of inches.

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  Salt, at the end. Broth reduces as it simmers, so season when it is done.

Basic chicken bone broth recipe

1. 1.

   Put the bones from one or two roast chickens (or about 2 pounds of wings and backs) in a large pot.

2. 2.

   Add 1 onion, 2 carrots and 2 celery sticks in chunks, 3 garlic cloves, a bay leaf and 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

3. 3.

   Cover with cold water, bring slowly to a simmer and skim off any foam in the first half hour.

4. 4.

   Keep it at a gentle simmer, partly covered, for 6 to 12 hours. Top up with water if the bones are exposed.

5. 5.

   Strain through a fine sieve, season lightly with salt and cool quickly (see storage below).

Once chilled, a well made chicken bone broth often sets like a soft jelly. That is the gelatin from the bones, and it melts back into liquid when you warm it.

Rich beef bone broth recipe

1. 1.

   Roast about 3 pounds of beef bones at 425°F for 30 to 40 minutes until browned. This gives a deeper color and flavor.

2. 2.

   Move the bones to a large pot with 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery sticks, a few garlic cloves, a bay leaf and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Add a spoon of tomato paste if you like.

3. 3.

   Cover with cold water, bring slowly to a simmer and skim.

4. 4.

   Simmer very gently for 12 to 24 hours, topping up with water as needed.

5. 5.

   Strain, season and cool quickly. Lift off the fat layer once chilled if you prefer a lighter broth.

Slow cooker and pressure cooker bone broth

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  Slow cooker. Add the same ingredients, cover with water to the max line and cook on low for 12 to 24 hours. This is the easiest hands off method.

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  Pressure cooker. Fill no higher than the max line, cook at high pressure for about 2 to 3 hours and let the pressure release naturally. You get a good broth in an afternoon.

Whichever method you use, strain well and taste before you salt.

8 ways to turn bone broth into a mini meal

1. 1.

   Broth with a soft boiled egg. A mug of warm broth with an egg on the side, the simplest mini meal there is.

2. 2.

   Egg drop broth. Stir a beaten egg into simmering broth in a thin stream. Finish with scallions.

3. 3.

   Chicken and rice cup. Add a spoon of shredded chicken and a spoon of cooked rice to a bowl of broth.

4. 4.

   Miso ginger broth. Whisk a teaspoon of miso and a little grated ginger into hot (not boiling) broth, add cubes of soft tofu.

5. 5.

   Tortellini mug. Simmer a small handful of tortellini in broth with spinach and a little Parmesan.

6. 6.

   White bean and greens. Warm broth with a few spoons of white beans, kale and lemon.

7. 7.

   Mini noodle bowl. Rice noodles, broth, shredded chicken, lime and cilantro, in a small bowl instead of a big one.

8. 8.

   Savory oats. Cook a small portion of oats in broth instead of water and top with an egg.

For more small, warm meals in the same spirit, our egg bites recipe makes a good grab and go partner for a mug of broth, and the cottage cheese recipes include savory ideas you can serve on the side.

How to store and freeze bone broth

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  Cool it quickly. Divide hot broth into shallow containers so it chills fast. The USDA guide to leftovers and food safety recommends refrigerating within 2 hours and using leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

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  Freeze in small portions. Silicone muffin trays or ice cube trays give you single mug portions you can pop out as needed.

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  Reheat until steaming hot. Bring broth to a full simmer before you add eggs or other ingredients.

If soups and broths are your go to on low appetite days, the GLP-1 Soup Cookbook collects light, easy soup recipes in one printable PDF, and the GLP-1 Light Meals Cookbook is full of small plates for the rest of the week.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between bone broth and stock?
They are made the same way. Bone broth is usually simmered longer, often with more joint bones, so it tends to be richer and more gelatinous than a quick stock.

Why did my bone broth not gel?
Usually too much water for the amount of bones, or not enough joint bones like wings, feet or knuckles. It still tastes good. Next time use more bones or less water.

Can I make bone broth without a slow cooker?
Yes. A large pot on a very low simmer on the stove works well, and a pressure cooker makes broth in a few hours.

How long does homemade bone broth keep?
Keep it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, following USDA leftovers guidance, or freeze it in small portions for longer storage.

How do I make bone broth more filling?
Treat it as a base. Add an egg, shredded chicken, tofu, beans or a few noodles to turn a mug of broth into a small meal.

Make one pot this week, freeze half in small portions and keep a mug ready for the days you want something warm and simple. More small, easy meals are waiting in the GLP-1 meal plans.

Warm regards,
Imaya

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Nutrition needs vary from person to person; ask your prescriber or a registered dietitian what is right for you.