Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Using Bone Broth
- Tips and Caution
- Recipe: Unsalted, Additive-Free Broth
- Stage-by-Stage Recipes
- Tips for Storage and Usage
- Choosing Safe Bone Broth
- Conclusion
What is Bone Broth? What are the Benefits?
Bone broth is a nourishing stock made by slowly simmering the bones of beef, chicken, pork, or other animals. As the bones cook, valuable nutrients such as collagen, amino acids, and minerals are released, making bone broth a concentrated source of nutrition that supports growth and development.
Benefits of incorporating bone broth into baby food include:
- Easy to digest and gentle on the stomach
- Enhances the natural flavor of vegetables and helps develop your baby's sense of taste
- Nutrient-dense and effective even in small amounts
- Safe to use when made without additives or salt
Precautions
While there are many benefits to bone broth, it's also important to adjust how you use it according to your baby's age and always follow the appropriate precautions:
Potential Allergens
When introducing any new food, it's important to start with a very small amount (1 tsp or less) and carefully observe your baby’s reaction. Animal-based ingredients such as chicken, beef, or pork can sometimes act as allergens. If there is a family history of food allergies, it’s best to proceed with extra caution when choosing ingredients.
Excess Fat
Bone broth contains fat released from bones and meat during cooking. For babies in the weaning stage, too much fat can sometimes lead to diarrhea or digestive discomfort. Skimming off the surface fat after simmering is an effective way to reduce the fat content.
Overall Nutritional Balance
Bone broth alone cannot provide all the essential nutrients your baby needs. For optimal nutrition, use it as a flavor enhancer or supplement within a well-balanced meal that includes staples, vegetables, and protein sources.
Basic Recipe: Unsalted, Additive-Free Bone Broth
At Horizon Farms, we offer safe, high-quality ingredients such as grass-fed beef bones and beef tail, free-range chicken frames and drumettes, and organic vegetables. These carefully sourced ingredients are ideal for preparing nourishing broths for your family.
Below is a simple recipe for unsalted, additive-free bone broth made without aromatic vegetables, suitable for use in baby food.
Ingredients
- Chicken frames / drumettes: 500-700g (approx. 1-1.5lbs)
- Pumpkin, potato, or other veggie (peeled and bite-sized): 50g (1.7oz)
- Carrot: 1 carrot
- Water: 2L (Half gallon)
※ Salt, vinegar, and aromatics (onion, garlic, celery, etc.) are not used.
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken lightly under running water to remove any unwanted impurities. If preferred, you can briefly blanch them in hot water as well.
- Place the ingredients into a pot and add water until everything is fully submerged.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then carefully skim off any foam or scum that rises to the surface.
- Reduce to low heat and simmer gently for 2–3 hours without a lid. If using a pressure cooker, 30 minutes after reaching pressure is sufficient.
- Turn off the heat and strain the broth through a sieve or cloth, keeping only the liquid. Discard the bones and vegetables.
- Allow to cool, then store in the refrigerator or freezer. For baby food, freezing the broth in ice cube trays makes it easy and convenient to use.
Storage (Guideline)
| Storage Method | Use Within (approx.) | Notes |
| Chilled | 2–3 days | Store in airtight container |
| Frozen | 1 month | Use ice tray for easy portions |
Bone Broth in the Early Weaning Stage (5–6 Months)
This is typically when babies are just starting out with smooth purées. At this age, you can add a small amount of bone broth to vegetable purées or rice porridge. This will provide a boost of flavor and extra nutrition while keeping the food simple and easy to digest.
Carrot & Bone Broth Purée
Ingredients (1 serving)
- Carrot*: 20g (0.7oz) (peeled and thinly sliced)
- Bone broth: 1 tbsp
- Water: As needed
Instructions
- Boil carrots until soft (about 10min).
- Mix boiled carrots and bone broth in a blender.
- Balance texture with water.
- Let cool before serving.
Storage: This recipe is freezer-friendly. Pour into an ice cube tray, freeze, and use within 1 week for best results.
Bone Broth in the Later Weaning Stage (9–11 Months)
This is when babies start handling more variety in both textures and flavors. Bone broth works perfectly as a base for stews and soups.
Bone Broth Rice & Veggie Porridge
Ingredients (1 serving)
- Cooked rice: 50g (1.7oz)
- Finely chopped carrot: 10g (0.3oz)
- Finely chopped pumpkin: 10g (0.3oz)
- Bone broth: 100ml (3.4oz)
Instructions
- Simmer the vegetables in bone broth for about 10 minutes, until tender.
- Add the rice and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Mash lightly with a fork if needed, depending on your baby’s chewing ability.
Variation: Add a pinch of aonori (dried green seaweed) or ground sesame seeds for extra flavor.
White Fish & Broccoli Soup
Ingredients (1 serving)
- White fish (such as cod): 30g (1oz)
- Broccoli: 10g (0.3oz)
- Potato: 10g (0.3oz)
- Bone broth: 100ml (3.4oz)
Instructions
- Simmer the vegetables and fish together in the bone broth until tender.
- Mash lightly with a fork if needed, depending on your baby’s chewing ability.
- Let cool before serving.
Bone Broth in the Completion Stage (12–18 Months)
This stage is when babies begin eating meals closer to what the rest of the family enjoys. Bone broth can be used in risottos or simmered dishes, adding natural flavor and extra nutrition without the need for heavy seasoning.
Tomato & Tofu Bone Broth Risotto
Ingredients (1 serving)
- Soft-cooked rice: 50g (1.7oz)
- Tomato: 20g (0.7oz)
- Tofu: 30g (1oz)
- Onion (pre-cooked): 10g (0.3g)
- Bone broth: 150ml (5oz)
Instructions
- Simmer the onion and tomato in the bone broth until tender.
- Add the tofu and rice, and cooking until everything mixed together well.
- Let cool, then serve.
Chicken & Vegetable Bone Broth Stew
Ingredients (1 serving)
- Chicken breast (bite-sized): 30g (1oz)
- Carrot (bite-sized): 15g (0.5oz)
- Pumpkin (bite-sized): 15g (0.5oz)
- Bone broth: 150ml (5oz)
- Water: 50ml (1.7oz)
Instructions
- Place the chicken and vegetables in a pot, then add the bone broth and water.
- Simmer gently over low heat for about 15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Once the vegetables are tender, remove from heat.
- Let cool, then serve.
Variation: From the completion stage onward, consider sprinkling a small amount of grated cheese for extra richness and flavor.
Tips for Storage and Use
- Freeze in ice cube trays for easy, single-portion use.
- Defrosting one portion at a time helps ensure safety & hygiene.
- For best quality, use frozen bone broth within one month.
- On busy days, simply defrost in the microwave and it’s ready to go.
※ When using for baby food, always reheat after thawing and let it cool to body temperature before serving.
Choosing Safe Bone Broth
When it comes to baby food, the origin of the ingredients and the absence of additives are especially important. At Horizon Farms, we offer carefully selected, safe ingredients such as grass-fed beef bones and tail, and free-range chicken frames and drumettes, all produced without the use of growth-promoting hormones or antibiotics.
From an animal welfare perspective, choosing bones from pasture-raised animals is also an ethical and reassuring choice. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan recommends raising livestock in environments where they can behave naturally and live free from stress. The pasture-based farming approach behind Horizon Farms products is in line with this philosophy.
Recommended Products:
- Grass-fed beef bones & oxtail
- Free-range chicken carcasses & drumettes
- JAS-certified organic bone broth soup
For more details, please visit our “Broth / Soup / Stock” collection.
Conclusion: A Gentle Cup to Support Your Baby’s Growth
Adding bone broth to baby food offers many benefits for nutrition, taste development, and digestion. By following age-appropriate guidelines and choosing safe, high-quality ingredients, you can help support your baby’s growth.
Especially when prepared without salt, additives, or aromatic vegetables, bone broth is a reliable option for babies who may be sensitive to allergies or digestive issues. Using high-quality bones from Horizon Farms makes it easy to create a nourishing broth right at home.
Even on busy days, keeping frozen portions on hand allows you to add nutrients quickly and easily. Why not bring bone broth to your family table and enrich your baby’s very first taste experiences?
Disclaimer: Please note that while our explanations are accurate, they are simplified for conciseness and clarity. We encourage you to do further research on the topic. Once again, the information in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby.
Sources
- (Japanese) Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (2020). Approaches to Baby Food from the Perspective of Food Allergies (PDF). https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11908000/000464805.pdf
- (Japanese) Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology. (2021). Basic Guidelines for Allergy Disease Measures, Chapter 6. https://www.jspaci.jp/guide2021/jgfa2021_6.html
- (Bilingual) Consumer Affairs Agency, Government of Japan. (2013). Information on Food Labeling. https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/ja/laws/view/3649
- (Japanese) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (n.d.). The Concept of Animal Welfare. https://www.maff.go.jp/j/chikusan/sinko/animal_welfare.html
