Skip to main content

Beef Bouillon

Beef bouillon was not served only at times of mourning. It was and still often is a base for matzo balls, it is served with noodles, and it is perfectly delicious as a broth, served hot, or cold as consommé gelé (aspic), at the beginning of any meal.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    about 10 cups

Ingredients

2 pounds beef shanks or other beef bones
1 onion
4 whole cloves
3 leeks, light-green and white parts chopped, dark-green top parts left whole
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 turnip, peeled and diced
1 parsnip, peeled and diced
Bouquet garni made of sprigs of fresh thyme and parsley and a bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put the beef bones in a soup pot, and cover with cold water by at least 3 inches. Bring to a boil, and skim off any scum that rises.

    Step 2

    If you want a dark broth, don’t peel the onion. If you want a lighter one, peel it. Pierce the onion with the cloves, and add to the pot. Add the leeks, carrots, turnip, parsnip, and the bouquet garni. Simmer slowly, covered for 3 hours and uncovered for 1/2 hour. Add salt and pepper to taste, and heat. Strain the soup, and either remove any fat that might have accumulated and serve, or refrigerate, remove the fat, reheat, and serve.

Quiches, Kugels, and Couscous
Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like chocolate pudding and miso-peanut hibachi chicken.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Because most of us do!
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
This chicken salad nails it—creamy, herby, and endlessly riffable.