NO FRIDGE — Turn Chicken Bones Into Soup That Lasts 2 Years. Great Depression Survival Food.

NO FRIDGE — Turn Chicken Bones Into Soup That Lasts 2 Years. Great Depression Survival Food. is a medium American recipe that serves 4. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by Survival Kitchen 1930 on YouTube.

Prep: 35 min | Cook: 56 hrs | Total: 57 hrs 5 min

Cost: $1.25 total, $0.31 per serving

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds Chicken Bones (backs, wings, thighs saved from cooked chicken)
  • 2 quarts Water (just under two quarts)
  • 7 tablespoons Salt (non‑iodized kosher or sea salt; acts as preservative)
  • 1 large Onion (peeled and quartered)
  • 2 medium Carrot (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 sheet Parchment Paper (for spreading broth to dry)
  • 1 piece Cheesecloth (double layer for straining)
  • 1 roll Aluminum Foil (for wrapping dried concentrate)

Instructions

  1. Gather Bones

    Collect about 4 lb of chicken backs, wings, and thigh bones from previous meals and place them in a large stockpot.

    Time: PT15M

  2. Add Water and Salt

    Add just under 2 quarts of water and 7 Tbsp of non‑iodized salt to the pot. Stir to dissolve the salt.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: low simmer (≈90°C)

  3. Initial Simmer

    Bring the pot to a low simmer and maintain this temperature for 4 hours, partially covered.

    Time: PT4H

    Temperature: low simmer (≈90°C)

  4. Add Vegetables

    After the first 4 hours, add the quartered onion and sliced carrots. Continue simmering for another 4 hours.

    Time: PT4H

    Temperature: low simmer (≈90°C)

  5. Remove Large Bones

    Using tongs, pull out the large bone pieces and set them aside.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Strain Through Cheesecloth

    Line a large bowl with double‑layer cheesecloth, pour the broth through, and squeeze the cloth to extract every drop.

    Time: PT10M

  7. Spread on Parchment

    Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a clean surface and spread the strained broth in a thin, even layer.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Dry the Concentrate

    Allow the broth to dry at room temperature in a well‑ventilated area or in an oven set to fan‑only (no heat) until it becomes a hard, dark slab.

    Time: PT48H

  9. Cut Into Portions

    Using scissors, cut the dried slab into four equal pieces.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Wrap and Store

    Wrap each piece tightly in aluminum foil, ensuring no gaps, and store in a cool, dry, dark place.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
120
Protein
8 g
Carbohydrates
2 g
Fat
5 g
Fiber
0 g

Dietary info: Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low-Carb

Allergens: Chicken

Last updated: May 31, 2026

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NO FRIDGE — Turn Chicken Bones Into Soup That Lasts 2 Years. Great Depression Survival Food.

Recipe by Survival Kitchen 1930

A zero‑cost, shelf‑stable chicken bone broth concentrate made from saved chicken bones, onion, and carrot. Cooked low and slow for eight hours, then dried into a hard slab that can be stored at room temperature for up to two years. Reconstitute with hot water for a nutrient‑dense soup or use as a base for any dish.

MediumAmericanServes 4

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Source Video
48h 55m
Prep
8h
Cook
6h 50m
Cleanup
63h 45m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$1.25
Total cost
$0.31
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Simmer the bones and water for a full 8 hours on low heat.
  • Add onion and carrot exactly after the first 4 hours.
  • Strain and squeeze the broth thoroughly through cheesecloth.
  • Dry the broth at room temperature or fan‑only oven; never use heat.
  • Wrap each dried slab tightly in foil to prevent moisture ingress.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the boiling broth with oven mitts to avoid burns.
  • When using the oven fan‑only setting, ensure the temperature dial is set to 0°C.
  • Dry the slab in a well‑ventilated area to prevent mold growth.
  • Keep foil‑wrapped concentrate out of reach of children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Long-Lasting Chicken Bone Broth Concentrate in American Great Depression cuisine?

A

During the 1930s, American families facing scarcity turned to bone broth as a way to extract every ounce of nutrition from discarded chicken bones. The Amish and many rural households preserved the broth as a concentrate that could last years without refrigeration, providing essential protein, collagen, and minerals during hard times.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of bone broth concentrates in American Depression-era cooking?

A

In the Midwest, cooks added root vegetables like turnips and parsnips; in the South, they often seasoned with pepper and bay leaves. The basic principle—long simmer, heavy salting, and air‑drying—remained the same across regions.

cultural
Q

How was Long-Lasting Chicken Bone Broth Concentrate traditionally served in Great Depression America?

A

The dried slab was broken off, wrapped in foil, and reconstituted with hot water to make a quick soup or used as a base for stews, beans, and vegetable dishes. It was also sipped plain as a restorative broth.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations was bone broth concentrate associated with in Depression‑era American culture?

A

It wasn’t tied to special celebrations; rather, it was a staple for everyday meals, especially during winter months when fresh produce was scarce. Families relied on it to stretch limited food supplies.

cultural
Q

What authentic ingredients are essential for this chicken bone broth concentrate and what are acceptable substitutes?

A

Authentic ingredients are chicken bones, water, non‑iodized salt, onion, and carrot. Acceptable substitutes include turkey bones for the protein base, leeks instead of onion, and parsnips in place of carrots, though flavor will vary slightly.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Long-Lasting Chicken Bone Broth Concentrate at home?

A

Common errors include simmering at too high a temperature, which breaks down gelatin; adding vegetables too early, which can cause cloudiness; and drying the broth with heat, which destroys nutrients. Also, insufficient salt will reduce shelf stability.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe use a low simmer for eight hours instead of a pressure cooker or faster method?

A

A low simmer gently extracts collagen, minerals, and gelatin without emulsifying fat, creating a clear, gelatin‑rich broth that can solidify and dry. Faster methods can cause cloudiness and reduce the gelatin structure needed for long‑term preservation.

technical
Q

Can I make Long-Lasting Chicken Bone Broth Concentrate ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. After drying, wrap each slab tightly in aluminum foil and store in a cool, dry, dark pantry. Properly wrapped, the concentrate lasts one to two years at room temperature. Once opened, keep any leftover reconstituted broth refrigerated and use within a week.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the broth has finished cooking and before drying?

A

The liquid should be a clear, bright gold color and have a jelly‑like consistency when cooled, indicating high gelatin content. It should not be cloudy or oily.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Survival Kitchen 1930 specialize in?

A

Survival Kitchen 1930 focuses on historically accurate, low‑cost survival recipes that families used during the Great Depression and other hardship periods, demonstrating how to turn everyday waste into nutritious, shelf‑stable foods.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Survival Kitchen 1930's approach to American Depression‑era cooking differ from other survival cooking channels?

A

Survival Kitchen 1930 emphasizes authentic 1930s techniques—such as long low‑heat simmering, heavy salting for preservation, and air‑drying without electricity—while many other channels rely on modern shortcuts like pressure cookers or dehydrators.

channel

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