The 7 Best Bone Broths of 2024

A person pours Brodo Hearth Bone Broth into a glass — Photo:
EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

Bone broth is made by simmering bones and aromatics like onions, herbs and spices in water, and vinegar is often added to help extract the nutrients out of the bones. And while bone broth is a solid source of protein and micronutrients, it's not necessarily the magical elixir it's often touted to be.

There are many reasons why bone broth may be good for you, but the word “may” shouldn’t go unnoticed, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, C.D.N. "To date, there has not been convincing evidence from scientific studies showing that this soup will strengthen your bones, cure your digestive issues, melt away your wrinkles or shine your hair," she says.

Many of these popularized benefits are chalked up to collagen, a type of protein that’s found in bone broth. However, it turns out that this collagen isn't so bioavailable—in other words, our bodies can't absorb and use it very well. "While we don't want to oversell the contributions of collagen from bone broth as being some kind of ‘miracle food’ linked to definitive health benefits, bone broth can provide very good nutrition and potential contributions to good health, and it can be satisfying and hydrating," says Wendy Bazilian, Dr.P.H, RDN. Bone broth is also very versatile and can add flavor and nutrients to different recipes. Try it as a soup base, cook rice or quinoa in it or use it in marinades.

If you're looking to add bone broth to your regular routine, look to this list before adding a carton to your cart. We tested 17 popular bone broths and assessed their taste, texture, nutrition and value—here are the best ones on the market.

Our Bone Broth Recommendations

Best Overall: FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth
Best for Sipping: Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth
Best Lower Sodium: Pacific Foods Chicken Bone Broth
Best Budget: Zoup Good, Really Good Chicken Bone Broth
Best for On-the-Go: Bare Bones Bone Broth Instant Powdered Beverage Mix (Variety)
Best Blend: Brodo Hearth Bone Broth
Best Powder: Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein

Is Bone Broth Good For You?

Bone broth is brimming with nutrients including protein, minerals and vitamins. The vitamin and mineral content, however, will vary depending on the amount and types of bones and vegetables used in the base. Unlike regular chicken or beef stock, bone broth is higher in protein and averages about 8 to 10 grams per cup. But you'll want to think of bone broth as more of a protein supplement than a standalone protein source in your diet. "It contains amino acids and some protein, but not the same amount as the meat of the beef, poultry or fish per serving,” Bazilian says. “Though, for the calories, it’s definitely notable." A cup usually contains about 50 calories.

In addition to protein, bone broth contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin that are bioavailable and easy to digest, Bazilian says.

However, there's a downside: Many store-bought bone broths are high in sodium, offering upwards of 20 percent of your DV. "Sodium content is especially an issue for those with high blood pressure or cardiac issues, or people who tend to retain fluid easily," Taub-Dix says.

While bone broth can be a part of a nutritious and balanced diet, bone broth isn't a magic elixir that can cure joint pain, strengthen your hair or make your skin more supple. To date, there hasn't been solid research that backs up these purported benefits of bone broth, Taub-Dix says. That's mostly because the collagen in bone broth isn't so bioavailable.

Best Overall: FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth

Buy on Amazon $48 Buy on Fondbonebroth.com $60

What we like: It's made with regeneratively sourced chicken bones and organic ingredients, and it has a mild flavor that's versatile to use in recipes.

What to know: While we expected it to be more flavorful and rich on the palate with the way it smelled, this broth is actually unflavored and may work better in recipes rather than on its own.

Crafted with regeneratively sourced chicken, Fond's unflavored bone broth is made from just bones, water and salt, so you won't find any extras in here. It's a simple recipe made with quality ingredients—the chicken bones come from 100% pasture-raised birds that live on verified regenerative farms, and the only other ingredients included are water and sea salt. It's also free of added flavors from vegetables, herbs or spices, so it's well-suited for people with sensitive stomachs.

When testing this bone broth in our lab, our initial impression was that it had a strong, welcoming chicken aroma. We found the texture to be very smooth, much like a pleasant watery broth without any creaminess, chunks or sediment on the bottom of the cup. Taste-wise, it was very mild compared to its strong aroma. We liked that it didn't taste acidic, but if you like more flavor, you may want to spice it up a bit with your own seasonings. The unflavored nature of this bone broth makes it that much more versatile and a great foundational flavor for homemade soups and stews.

Serving size: 1 cup | Calories per serving: 25 | Protein per serving: 6 grams | Sodium per serving: 260 milligrams | Certifications: Non-GMO, organic

A person microwaves a glass of FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

Best for Sipping: Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth

Amazon Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth — Amazon

Buy on Amazon $16 Buy on Walmart $15

What we like: As its name implies, this broth is tasty and flavorful enough to drink on its own.

What to know: It's high in sodium, delivering 20 percent of your daily value per serving.

If you're shopping for a bone broth to sip, you'll find Swanson's is perfectly smooth and easily drinkable. When we tasted this broth, we found that it didn't have any particles or residue floating in the liquid, and it was very easy to enjoy in one sitting. The flavor was pleasant enough to drink on its own, so much so that we could see ourselves adding this bone broth to our regular routine.

One of our favorite things about this Swanson broth was the ease of preparation and the to-go cup it came in. The container is the size of a small coffee cup and comes with a lid that you could easily drink out of, so you can take the broth with you to the office or sip it on the way back from the gym. On the flip side, our least favorite thing about this broth was peeling off the lid, as it caused a bit of the broth to splash out of the cup. When opening the broth, make sure to peel the lid back with caution—especially if it's hot. It's also worth noting that one serving is high in sodium, providing 20 percent of your daily value (DV).

Serving size: One 10.75-ounce container | Calories per serving: 45 | Protein per serving: 9 grams | Sodium per serving: 460 milligrams | Certifications: None

A person removes the top from the Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth container — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

Best Lower Sodium: Pacific Foods Chicken Bone Broth

Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Bone Broth — Amazon

Buy on Amazon $66 Buy on Target

What we like: For an unsalted bone broth, this pick was super tasty and far from bland.

What to know: We detected a bit of an aftertaste with this bone broth, though it washed away with a few sips of water.

Taking in too much sodium too frequently can be unhealthy, so if you're drinking bone broth on the regular, you'll want to opt for a low-sodium product—like this Pacific Foods' chicken bone broth, for example. It’s crafted with organic chicken, spices, vegetables, some flavorings and apple cider vinegar—and there’s no salt added.

One cup of Pacific Foods' bone broth has just 125 milligrams of sodium, or 5 percent of your DV. But don't let the fact that it's unsalted convince you that it's tasteless. In our taste tests, we found this broth to be quite rich in flavor. The smell was reflective of the taste: rich layers of chicken flavor, veggies, herbs and spices.

The texture of the bone broth was thick, but not gelatinous—all in all, it’s very drinkable and can be enjoyed in one sitting. We really loved that this unsalted bone broth delivered so much hearty flavor and tasted like it was "made with care," as one of our testers noted, using ingredients like rosemary and apple cider vinegar to elevate the flavor profile. This bone broth can be easily incorporated into homemade soups or enjoyed on its own as a nutritious midday pick-me-up.

Serving size: 1 cup | Calories per serving: 40 | Protein per serving: 9 grams | Sodium per serving: 125 milligrams | Certifications: Organic, gluten-free, soy-free, wheat-free, and yeast-free

A person holds a box of Pacific Foods Chicken Bone Broth — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget: Zoup Good, Really Good Chicken Bone Broth

Buy on Amazon $52 Buy on Walmart

What we like: It boasts a homemade flavor and is budget-friendly, coming out to around $6 a jar.

What to know: A one-cup serving offers only 4 grams of protein—the lowest amount on this list.

When testing the Zoup chicken bone broth, we found it to be very flavorful and almost reminiscent of grandma's chicken soup. Flavor-wise, this broth has the right amount of salt and herb notes to taste like it didn't come out of a jar. We didn't notice any aftertaste at all, so there was no need to cleanse our palates after tasting it.

Upon opening the jar, we noticed concentrated earthy and salty notes, sort of like a chicken bouillon cube, but the strong aroma slightly faded after heating the broth. The texture of Zoup was thick and on the gelatinous side, but in a good way—the bone broth was completely blended without any particles, and it felt creamy with a fresh, acidic taste from the herb notes.

You can snag a six-pack of Zoup on Amazon for about $52, which is excellent value considering the small-batch flavor really impressed us. However, with great flavor sometimes comes high sodium content. A one-cup serving packs 480 milligrams of sodium, which is 21 percent of your DV. If you're drinking this regularly, make sure to limit your sodium for the rest of the day. FYI, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.

Serving size: 1 cup | Calories per serving: 15 | Protein per serving: 4 grams | Sodium per serving: 480 milligrams | Certifications: Non-GMO, gluten-free, paleo, keto

A person opens a jar of Zoup Good, Really Good Chicken Bone Broth — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

Best for On-the-Go: Bare Bones Bone Broth Instant Powdered Beverage Mix (Variety)

Amazon Bare Bones Bone Broth Instant Powdered Beverage Mix — Amazon

Buy on Amazon $52 Buy on Barebonesbroth.com $30

What we like: It's shelf-stable and easily mixes with water for a tasty drink that's sippable.

What to know: It's high in sodium. The beef flavor has 460 milligrams, or 20 percent of your DV, per packet while the chicken flavor has 546 milligrams, or 24 percent of your DV.

If you need a bone broth that'll keep up with your busy lifestyle, Bare Bones' instant powder broth will become your new go-to. It comes in single-serving pouches that you simply rip open, pour into hot water and enjoy (or use half and save the rest for another time). That means you can take it virtually anywhere with you: Stash it in your gym bag to sip on for electrolytes post-workout, or keep it in your car for when you need a quick protein boost in between meals.

When tasting it, we found this soup tastes very similar to Top Ramen, which explains the broth's high sodium content. Keep in mind that the flavor of this broth is strong, and you might need to down a glass of water afterwards as it'll likely make you feel thirsty.

As for texture, there were clumps in the product and a slight hint of grittiness even after stirring it fairly well. A mouthful had a bit of creaminess to it and was certainly thicker in the mouth than other brands we tested. Still, given its tasty (albeit salty) flavor, convenient packaging and shelf-stability, this bone broth could easily become a staple in your pantry, especially during soup season.

Serving size: 1 packet | Calories per serving: 50 | Protein per serving: 10 grams | Sodium per serving: 460 milligrams (beef); 546 milligrams (chicken) | Certifications: Grass-fed, keto, paleo

A person stirs Bare Bones Bone Broth Instant Powdered Beverage Mix into water — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

Best Blend: Brodo Hearth Bone Broth

Re spin Brodo Hearth Bone Broth — Re spin

Buy on Brodo.com $31

What we like: It includes a blend of chicken, beef, turkey and aromatics for a tasty bone broth that works well on its own and in recipes.

What to know: It's only available to purchase on the Brodo website and at Whole Foods Markets.

Brodo's Hearth blend is made with bones derived from grass-fed cows, as well as organic chicken feet and drumsticks and organic turkey necks. The bones are simmered with organic aromatics including onion, carrots, celery, black peppercorns and bay leaves. This cozy combo yields a blended bone broth that's a bit thicker than water, and it’s flavorful without overwhelming the senses.

When we first opened the package, we were (surprisingly) met with the scent of buttered biscuits. The veggie flavor was more pronounced, but we appreciated that the broth's overall flavor is subtle enough that you can add ingredients and make it your own. We especially liked that this bone broth didn't coat the mouth or produce an aftertaste.

We’ll note that this broth comes in 1-cup, single-serving pouches. If you're using this bone broth as a snack to supplement meals, the single-serve container would come in handy since you wouldn't need to store leftovers in the fridge. However, if you're using this broth for recipes, you may find that you need to open up multiple pouches if your recipe calls for more than a cup of bone broth.

Serving size: 8.3 ounces | Calories per serving: 45 | Protein per serving: 10 grams | Sodium per serving: 375 milligrams | Certifications: Organic, grass-fed beef

A person smells a glass of Brodo Hearth Bone Broth — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

Best Powder: Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein

Amazon Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein — Amazon

Buy on Amazon $53 Buy on Ancientnutrition.com $53

What we like: It offers the most protein per serving at 20 grams and it's fairly priced compared to competitors.

What to know: Taste-wise, it didn't live up to some of the other products on our list, and we think this powder would be best for blending into shakes or smoothies.

Powdered bone broths have a few advantages over their liquid counterparts: They don't require refrigeration, they're portable, and they don't need to be used up all at once. Ancient Nutrition's bone broth powder is packed with protein—20 grams per scoop—so you can easily use it in place of protein powder in your post-gym shakes or morning smoothies. It comes in an unflavored “pure” variety that's great for savory recipes, such as soups, stews and sauces, but you can mix it with plain water to produce a sippable bone broth. It’s also available in flavored varieties like chocolate, vanilla and salted caramel that would work well in sweet recipes (think: protein pancakes) or smoothies.

If you do decide to mix the “pure” powder with water to drink on its own as bone broth, you may find that the flavor is on the bland side. The powder is a combination of chicken and beef bone broth, and neither flavor really came through for us when we tested it. The texture was thick and gelatinous and coated the mouth, and its aftertaste lingered until we ate or drank something else. Additionally, the powder was difficult to mix with water, but microwaving it helped it dissolve more easily.

This powder is sold in 15.7-ounce containers with the equivalent of 20 servings in each, and at $53 per container, that amounts to under $3 per serving. We think that's fairly priced.

Serving size: 1 scoop | Calories per serving: 90 | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Sodium per serving: 163 milligrams | Certifications: Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, keto, paleo, pasture-raised, grass-fed

A person pours a scoop of Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein powder into a glass — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

The Bottom Line: The Best Bone Broths

We named FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth (view at Amazon) the best bone broth because it's made with organic ingredients and regeneratively sourced bones, and its mild flavor works well in recipes and on its own. We also loved Pacific Foods Chicken Bone Broth (view at Amazon), as its flavor was full-bodied and delicious—especially for being so low in sodium.

Choosing a Bone Broth

Select a flavor

Theoretically, bone broth can be made from any type of animal bone, but beef and chicken are the most common, while turkey is also prevalent. You might spot fish bone broth made and sold in the refrigerator section or deli area at your local grocery store, but it’s not as common. Whichever type you choose depends on your go-to flavor profile, so if you like a heartier broth, you might opt for beef, while those who like a milder flavor might pick a chicken bone broth.

Decide between a liquid or powder

You'll also see bone broths in both liquid and powder forms. If you need a shelf-stable or portable option, go for powdered bone broths, as liquids must be refrigerated after opening.

If packaging is important to you, choose accordingly

Liquid bone broths often come in cartons or boxes, glass jars or resealable pouches, while powdered bone broths usually come in packets or plastic jar-like containers.

Liquid bone broth in boxes can be advantageous if you actually use them before they expire. "So often, we may buy the 32-ounce box, use a few cups for a recipe, and then it sits unused until it’s gone bad and then wasted," says Bazilian. Her pro tip to avoid wasting food and money: Freeze leftover bone broth in silicone ice cube trays for later use, and use a pen to mark the date you opened the box so you can monitor and use it before it goes bad.

You may also want to consider buying from brands that care about their packaging choices and impact on the environment. "It can be tricky to be clear about this, but often a brand will make mention of it on their packaging—for example, what percentage of post-consumer recycled materials or whether it can be recycled—or on their website through their sustainability goals or specific details about packaging," Bazilian says.

Some of the smaller packages, like 8-ounce Tetra Paks, can be handy if you know you'll use it all up—but they usually cost more per ounce. If you're making homemade bone broth, you might use cup-, pint- or quart-sized glass (Ball-style) jars to store in the fridge or freezer.

"Look at the format that works best in your lifestyle while considering the environmental impact of the packaging as one of those decision-making aspects," Bazilian says.

Check the ingredient list

Bone broths are typically made with bones simmered with onions, garlic, celery, carrots and herbs and spices. If you have food intolerances or allergies, you'll want to check the ingredient list of your store-bought bone broth.

"Onions, for example, are generally healthy, but if they cause gastrointestinal issues for you, a regular diet including bone broth could be troublesome," Taub-Dix says. Onions and garlic might not sit well with those on a low-FODMAP diet, she says.

Our Bone Broth Tests

We enlisted a team of testers to taste and review a total of 17 different bone broths to find the best ones for our list. We assessed the smell of both the powdered and liquid bone broths straight from the container, and then we prepared them according to their instructions (including heating) and assessed their smell, flavor and texture (including any sediment left over after we finished the broth).

A person pours Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Bone Broth into a glass — EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

We Also Considered

Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Bone Broth (view at Amazon): This broth's flavor was tasty yet mild, so folks who lean towards a bolder flavor profile might appreciate more herbaceous notes. This bone broth works well on its own or incorporated into homemade recipes.

Bonafide Provisions Organic Chicken Bone Broth (view at Amazon): This pick is organic, low in sodium and high in protein. But, for such a high price point (about $15 per package), we were quite underwhelmed with this bone broth's barely-there flavor.

Epic Provisions Savory Chicken Bone Broth & Epic Provisions Beef Jalapeno Sea Salt Bone Broth (view at Amazon): The Savory Chicken flavor had a nice aromatic taste and wasn't too salty. However, the Beef Jalapeño flavor didn't deliver much in the heat department, and we weren't fans of the layer of fat that remained at the very top, even after mixing.

Bare Bones Grass-Fed Beef Organic Bone Broth (view at Amazon): We found this broth to be flavorful and a little briny, and the taste aligned with the package description of grass-fed beef bone broth. It had a texture slightly thicker than water, but there was sediment residue after we poured out the liquid contents.

Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen (view at Amazon): When mixed, the texture of this broth was clumpy, like bouillon cubes that didn't dissolve in soup; the flavor was underwhelming, too.

Common Questions

Should you make your own bone broth instead of buying it pre-made?

If you like being in the kitchen and making your food from scratch, or if budget is top of mind for you, then making bone broth at home is probably your best bet, Bazilian says. Making it at home means you have complete control over the ingredients that go in, so you can cut back on the amount of salt you use and toss in your favorite herbs and spices. Plus, it can help you save money and cut down on food waste because you can use bones and vegetable scraps you'd otherwise throw out.

However, bone broth can be time-consuming to make, which is why many people choose to buy it pre-made. In that case, there are plenty of quality bone broths on the market that are healthy, tasty and convenient, Bazilian says.

Should you drink bone broth every day?

If you choose to drink it every day, look for a lower sodium product or consider making it at home so you can have more control of the sodium content.

If you have high blood pressure or cardiac issues and you drink bone broth daily, it might not be as healthy for you, since it’s most likely higher in sodium content than other foods you might choose, Taub-Dix says.

Is one type of bone broth better for you?

While some reports may claim that beef bone broth is better than, say, chicken, you'll want to take these claims with a grain of salt. "I think it’s more related to the volume of bones in the stock [rather than the type of bones] and how long they've been simmering on the stove," Bazilian says. "Presumably, beef bones are larger so they may have more nutrients depending on how they are ‘processed'—as in, temperature, time on the stove, whether they are broken down in pieces and other factors." However, there isn't any solid research about these specifics.

Will drinking bone broth help with weight loss?

Sipping on bone broth won't melt away the pounds, but it could help you lose a little weight depending on other lifestyle factors. "Weight loss would certainly ensue if this soup replaced cookies or a candy bar, or if it acted like a speed bump and prevented the higher calorie nosh you may have otherwise chosen in its place," Taub-Dix says. Bone broth is also hydrating and full of water and protein, both of which help to keep you fuller for longer.

"But don’t expect this soup to speed up your metabolism, dissolve cellulite or provide any special powers,” Taub-Dix says. “Let's keep it real...it’s soup.”

Should I give my dog bone broth?

It’s not unsafe to feed your dog bone broth, but you need to take into consideration the sodium content. Too much sodium is also not good for pets, Taub-Dix says. What's more, some broths also contain ingredients, like onions, that might upset your dog's stomach. Always check with your vet before giving your pet new foods.

Our Trusted Expertise

April Benshosan, M.S., has been reporting on nutrition, health and expert-recommended products from the start of her journalism career. Her writing has appeared in multiple publications, including Verywell Health, Verywell Fit and Health.com. In writing this article, she also interviewed two registered dietitians on the health benefits of bone broth and insights into what to look for in a quality product that best fits your needs.

This article was edited by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and EatingWell commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes. It was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, Senior Commerce Editor, who despite her 15 years of experience reporting, writing, and editing nutrition and health content is still not a big bone broth sipper.

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