Simple, comforting, and nourishing, bone broth is one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods you can put in your body. Packed full of critical nutrients, bone broth has been a trusted remedy for colds, flus, and a general lack of vitality for hundreds of years. Keep reading to find out all about the bone broth sold at Trader Joe’s.
In 2020, Trader Joe’s released bone broth onto their shelves for the first time. Sold in the same aisle as their shelf-stable soups and canned vegetables, Trader Joe’s Bone Broth comes in two varieties, including chicken and beef. It’s also organic!
Trader Joe’s sells two different varieties of bone broth: Organic Chicken Bone Broth and Organic Beef Bone Broth.
If you’re wondering what bone broth is, it’s pretty simple. Bone broth is a traditional food made by slow-boiling animal bones in water with vegetables and some spices. This process releases collagen and trace nutrients from the bones, yielding a richly nutritious and flavorful broth.
Before we get too far into the discussion of Trader Joe’s Bone Broth, it’s important to know that TJ’s Bone Broth is made from concentrate. So, some bone broth purists might want to search elsewhere for their ultimate bone broth brand.
That said, there’s no real reason to assume that bone broth made from concentrate is any less beneficial than fresh bone broth.
Contents
How Much Is Bone Broth At Trader Joe’s?
Both bone broth varieties available at Trader Joe’s are currently priced at $2.99 for a 17 fl. oz. container.
This is honestly a major deal, considering that other organic bone broth varieties usually sell for between $5 and $7 for a similarly sized container.
Is Trader Joe’s Bone Broth Good For You?
As far as bone broth goes, Trader Joe’s version is more or less traditional.
However, it’s important to note that TJ’s bone broth is made from concentrate.
When I first looked at the label, I was pretty confused, because it only lists “organic chicken broth concentrate,” not bone broth. However, further down, the label specifies that the concentrate used is made from broth made with filtered water and organic chicken bones.
So, as far as I can tell, there’s no reason to assume that this broth is any less healthy than other commercially available varieties.
That said, when compared to one of the other most common bone broth varieties available in stores, Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Bone Broth, TJ’s version only has about half the protein content. This could be an indication that there is also less collagen and fewer trace minerals. But it’s hard to know for sure.
As for the question of whether this bone broth is good for you, I’d say yes. It might not be quite as packed with nutrition as other bone broth varieties, but for an organic bone broth priced at only $2.99 per container, it’s definitely worth the buy. (I’m honestly a huge bone broth snob, and I went for it!).
Trader Joe’s Bone Broth Nutrition Facts
From the looks of these nutrition labels, you might be wondering why bone broth gets talked about as a superfood. Here, we will dive into that question.
It’s important to understand that much of the nutritional value of bone broth can’t actually be measured by a standard nutrition facts label. Bone broth contains trace minerals like zinc, selenium, and magnesium that are critical for health, and it also contains things like collagen, fatty acids, and essential amino acids that contribute to optimal health.
There’s unfortunately no way of knowing exactly how much collagen is contained in a serving of TJ’s Bone Broth, but I can say from personal experience that the TJ’s variety definitely seems less collagen-rich than other bone broths I’ve had.
My go-to bone broth brand is Pacific Foods. I buy their Organic Chicken Bone Broth, and when I pour it from the container (especially when it’s been stored in the fridge), I can see the thickness of the collagen in the consistency of the broth. TJ’s broth is much thinner in my experience, leading me to believe it probably has less collagen.
It’s also important to note that collagen content will vary by batch. Sometimes my Pacific Foods broth is super collagen-rich, and other times it’s more watery. The process of making bone broth leads to variations depending on the collagen content present in the bones used for each batch.
Trader Joe’s Bone Broth Recipe Ideas
There’s nothing more comforting than sitting down with a steaming cup of bone broth. Whether you’re feeling under the weather, struggling with appetite, or just needing an extra boost of nourishment, bone broth is a great thing to lean on.
My favorite way to enjoy a cup of bone broth is by adding some fresh herbs, lemon juice, and garlic.
Here’s my personal bone broth recipe. Enjoy!
Nourishing Bone Broth with Garlic, Lemon, and Fresh Herbs
(makes 1 serving of broth)
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of chicken bone broth (beef bone broth works, too!)
- 1 large clove of garlic, peeled and roughly crushed with the flat side of a blade
- 1-2 sprigs of fresh oregano or thyme
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon of nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon of olive oil (optional)
- Fresh juice of ¼ or ½ lemon (depending on taste – I like things super lemony!)
- Pink Himalayan salt to taste (any salt will work)
- A sprinkle of cayenne pepper (optional)
Directions:
- Pour bone broth into a small pot or saucepan (be sure to use a pan or pot that has a lid)
- Set broth over medium heat uncovered until it begins to simmer
- Carefully add the garlic, fresh herbs, and pepper
- Cover with a lid and adjust the heat to prevent boiling (which can diminish or destroy the mineral content)
- Cover and let simmer for 3-4 minutes, being careful to prevent boiling
- Remove lid and turn off heat
- Add the nutritional yeast and olive oil, then stir gently to incorporate
- Using a tea strainer or other fine mesh strainer, strain the broth into your favorite mug (leaving behind the whole herbs, garlic, etc.)
- Add lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper to taste, stirring gently to incorporate
- Enjoy!
Trader Joe’s Bone Broth Reviews
I usually don’t eat beef, so I went ahead and tried Trader Joe’s Chicken Bone Broth for this review.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised! For a broth made from concentrate and priced so low, I honestly wasn’t expecting much, but TJ’s Bone Broth proved me wrong.
The flavor is rich without being overwhelming. The flavor is not watery at all, and it honestly doesn’t taste like concentrate.
It also doesn’t taste particularly salty (which I appreciate), despite the fairly high sodium content per serving.
My only real complaint about this bone broth is that it’s not nearly as thick as other bone broths I’ve tried. It doesn’t taste watery, but the consistency is certainly closer to water than a collagen-rich broth. So, if you’re looking for bone broth with the most collagen possible, this probably isn’t the best you can find.
That said, I’d give this broth a positive review overall.
I still prefer the Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Bone Broth (even though it’s more expensive), but I would definitely buy the TJ’s broth again if I’mever trying to save money or can’t find the other brand.
FAQs
Can you freeze Trader Joe’s bone broth?
Yes! Trader Joe’s Bone Broth is super convenient to freeze and defrost when needed.
Is Trader Joe’s bone broth safe for dogs?
Technically, yes. However, TJ’s Bone Broth contains onions, which some believe to be bad for dogs’ health.
What is the healthiest bone broth to buy?
It’s hard to say exactly which brand of bone broth is the healthiest, but Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Bone Broth has almost double the protein as the Trader Joe’s versions, at 19 grams per 1 cup serving (versus 10 grams for TJ’s). TJ’s Chicken Bone Broth does offer a little more calcium and potassium, though.
What is Trader Joe’s bone broth expiration date?
When you buy your Trader Joe’s Bone Broth, the container will be marked with a unique expiration date based on when it was made. Once you open your bone broth, it should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-5 days.
Does Trader Joe’s sell bones for bone broth?
No. Trader Joe’s does not sell animal bones.
Does Trader Joe’s have bone broth powder?
No. Trader Joe’s does not currently carry bone broth powder.
Conclusion
Overall, Trader Joe’s Organic Chicken and Beef Bone Broths are a pleasant surprise to all the bone broth fanatics out there (myself included). The one drawback is that they’re made from concentrate, but other than that, it’s hard not to love the low price and the rich flavor. Definitely consider grabbing a few cartons of TJ’s Bone Broth on your next grocery trip!
