How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Stock for Soups and Gravy

Use the leftover turkey bones from Thanksgiving dinner in this easy Instant Pot Turkey Stock recipe! It’s naturally gluten free and Whole30-friendly. Make a batch to have flavorful stock on hand for soups, risotto, gravy and more.

After carving your Thanksgiving turkey, resist the temptation to discard the carcass and bones. Those leftovers are perfect for making a rich, homemade turkey stock in an Instant Pot. With just a few vegetables and water, you can transform what would otherwise be waste into a versatile, deeply flavored base for many dishes. This method saves time compared to stovetop simmering while producing a stock that’s full of body and taste.

Making stock in an electric pressure cooker is straightforward and forgiving. Put the turkey bones into the pot with onions, carrots, celery and a couple of garlic cloves, add water to the fill line, and pressure cook. After a natural release and a quick strain, you’ll have several cups of clear, aromatic stock ready to chill or freeze. It’s an excellent way to extend the flavor of your holiday bird and create a convenient ingredient for meals in the days that follow.

How do you make homemade turkey stock?

To make homemade turkey stock in an Instant Pot: place chopped onion, carrots and celery along with garlic in the bottom of the pot. Add the leftover turkey carcass and any large bones. Pour in water to the 10-cup line or cover the bones without exceeding the maximum fill line. Secure the lid and set the pressure valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.

When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 20–30 minutes. Once the pot has depressurized, remove the lid and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl or measuring cup. Let the stock cool, then transfer it into storage containers or mason jars.

This yields a clear, flavorful stock that can be used immediately, refrigerated for a few days, or frozen for later use.

How long do you cook turkey bones for stock?

Cooking time varies with the method. On the stovetop or in a slow cooker, turkey bones typically simmer for 3 to 6 hours to fully extract flavor and collagen. The Instant Pot shortens that time dramatically: one hour on high pressure followed by a natural release produces a deeply flavored stock in a fraction of the time.

What’s the difference between turkey broth and turkey stock?

Broth and stock are similar but different in how they are made and used. Turkey broth is usually prepared using meat and is often seasoned with herbs and salt during cooking. Stock is made primarily from bones and connective tissue, which release gelatin and body as they cook. Stock is typically made without heavy seasoning so it can be adapted later; you can season to taste when you use the stock in recipes.

How to store turkey broth?

Transfer cooled stock to clean containers for storage. Small mason jars make convenient portions—8 oz jars hold about one cup, and 16 oz jars hold about two cups—which simplifies measuring when you need a specific amount for a recipe. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids or freezer-safe containers work well for both refrigeration and freezing.

How long is turkey broth good in the fridge?

Homemade turkey stock will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze portions and thaw as needed.

How long can turkey broth be frozen?

Properly stored, turkey stock will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months without a significant loss of quality. Label containers with the date so you can rotate and use the oldest stock first.

Turkey stock is remarkably versatile. Use it anywhere a recipe calls for chicken or turkey broth: soups, stews, risotto, gravy, stuffing or to deglaze pans for sauces. Its rich flavor especially enhances grain dishes and braises, and it makes an excellent base for holiday leftovers transformed into new meals.

Try this Instant Pot Turkey Stock in these recipes

1. Butternut Squash Risotto
2. Loaded Baked Potato Gnocchi
3. Healthy Greek Turkey Soup
4. Gluten Free Sweet Potato Stuffing
5. 30 Minute Sweet Potato Soup
6. Sausage Stuffing Balls
7. Slow Cooker Cheesy Turkey Taco Soup
8. Everything Bagel Stuffing
9. Mushroom Blue Cheese Gravy
10. Kale Turkey Soup

Store your stock in labeled jars or containers so it’s ready when you need it. If the surface of refrigerated stock gels slightly, that’s a sign it contains gelatin from the bones and is perfectly normal. Simply skim any solidified fat from the top if you prefer a leaner broth before using.