How to Make Nourishing Chicken Broth Using a Costco Chicken (in an Instant Pot)

If you’ve ever picked up one of those juicy rotisserie chickens from Costco, you know the deal, it used to be $4.99 and I’ve been happy with it being juicy, delicious, affordable, and convenient. But what you might not know is that the leftover bones are a hidden gem. Instead of tossing them out, you can turn them into a rich, nourishing chicken broth using your Instant Pot.

This is one of my favorite low-waste, high-reward kitchen rituals. It’s easy, restorative, and gives you a base for soups, stews, or even just a warm cup of comfort on busy days. For any left overs, freeze it in ziploc bags!

What You’ll Need:

• 1 chicken carcass (rotisserie leftovers or any roasted bones)

• Small piece of ginger or turmeric for added warmth and health benefits

• 1–2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from the bones)

• 1 tsp salt (optional—adjust after cooking)

• 8–10 cups of filtered water (amount varies in your pot)

• Optional: 1–2 carrots, roughly chopped

• Optional: 1–2 celery stalks, roughly chopped

• Optional: 1 small onion, quartered

• Optional: 2–3 garlic cloves, smashed

• Optional: A few sprigs of parsley, thyme, or bay leaves

Prep Your Bones

• Strip any meat from the chicken (great for tacos or soup).

• Break up the carcass if needed to fit in your Instant Pot.