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16 Reasons You Should Eat More Bone Broth!

Bone broth (or stock), put simply, is made by boiling up animal bones. You can add in some veggies and herbs – but the most important thing is that the bones are from healthy animals (or fish) that were raised organically, humanely on a pasture, or in the wild; i.e. from grass fed cattle, pastured poultry or wild caught fish. Using some apple cider vinegar when making the broth helps draw the mineral s and nutrients from the bones – and make sure you break of crack the bones, to ensure you can access all of the nutrients and minerals contained in the marrow inside.

Whilst you can buy it, you definitely want to make your own to be sure it’s from good quality animals – without any nasty added extras. You can try beef, bison, fish, chicken, lamb or even venison broth.

1. It is really cheap to make (your butcher or local farmer may even give you bones for free – or save the bones from your own cooking)

2. If you’re sick with no appetite, bone broth is easy to drink and will replenish much needed nutrients in your body – whilst the gelatin content will help to neutralise a virus.

3. Bone broth is high in a very usable form of calcium, magnesium, silicon, sulphur and phosphorous – not to mention lots of other trace nutrients

4. Broth is a great way to use up parts of the animal you wouldn't know what to do with – try adding in heads, feet, necks and skin!

5. Broth is a great base for many meals such as soups, stews – and a delicious home-made gravy

6. It virtually cooks itself – leave it in your slow cooker and come home to an almost ready bone broth

7. The high collagen content is great for your joints, hair, skin and nails.

8. It is even cheaper to make if you use bones of less expensive meat such as lamb and goat

9. The connective tissue in ligaments and joints are kept healthy thanks to the high concentration of the amino acids proline and glycine in bone broth.

10. You can make up a huge batch of broth and freeze it in individual portions – giving you a meal base on hand whenever you need it.

11. By encouraging smooth connective tissue, bone broth is said to be a natural cure for cellulite

12. Damaged gut lining is healed by the gelatin – which offers relief to gastrointestinal issues such as IBS, Crohn’s disease as well as constipation, diarrhea, food sensitivities and of course leaky gut.

13. The gelatin content helps aid digestion

14. The amino acid glycine (found in high concentrations in bone broth) is great to help detoxify the liver

15. Chondroitin Sulfate, found in bone broth, has not only be found to help with joint pain from osteoarthritis, it also helps to lower atherosclerosis.

16. It tastes good!

If you want to know even more about bone broth – and get lots of great recipes to make your own – check out Bone Broth: A Recipe For Health which is packed with recipes, information, tips and tricks.

Why Bone Broth Deserves a Spot in Your Paleo Meal Plan

Bone broth isn’t just a passing trend — it’s a return to the traditional way our ancestors extracted nutrition from every part of the animal. For those following a Paleo diet, bone broth offers a nutrient-dense, gut-healing, and budget-friendly addition to your weekly routine.

The combination of gelatin, collagen, amino acids like glycine and proline, and a broad spectrum of minerals makes bone broth a true superfood. It supports everything from joint health and digestion to skin elasticity, immune function, and even better sleep (thanks to the calming effects of glycine).

Making your own is easy. Throw bones into a slow cooker or Instant Pot with a splash of apple cider vinegar, cover with water, add herbs or veg scraps, and simmer low and slow for 12–24 hours. Once strained, you can store it in the fridge or freezer and use it throughout the week.

Use broth as a base for soups, stews, curries, or even just sip it on its own as a warming, nourishing drink. You can also freeze it in silicone muffin trays or ice cube trays for easy single-use portions.

If you haven’t added bone broth to your Paleo kitchen routine, now’s the time. It’s an easy way to boost your nutrient intake, reduce food waste, and make meals more satisfying.

Different Bones, Different Benefits

Not all bones are equal when it comes to making nourishing broth. Depending on which type you use, you can adjust the final flavour, nutrient profile, and texture. Marrow bones add richness and a creamy mouthfeel, while knuckle and joint bones are gelatin powerhouses. Feet, especially chicken feet, are loaded with collagen. Fish heads and carcasses yield a lighter, more delicate broth that's full of iodine and omega-3s.

If you’re new to broth making, try combining several types of bones to get a balanced mix of gelatin, minerals, and flavour. For example, mix marrow bones with a few joint bones and some meaty bones like oxtail. Always roast beef or lamb bones before simmering to deepen the flavour, but skip this step for poultry or fish for a cleaner taste.

How to Make Bone Broth Taste Even Better

While the health benefits of bone broth are undeniable, not everyone falls in love with the flavour on their first try. Fortunately, there are simple ways to enhance it without compromising its nutritional value:

Add aromatic herbs: Bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, or parsley stems add subtle depth.
Use onion, garlic, and celery: These add natural umami and richness to your broth.
Include a few mushrooms: Dried or fresh mushrooms (shiitake, porcini) boost savouriness and have added immune benefits.
Finish with sea salt or lemon juice: Season just before serving to brighten the flavour.

Don’t forget to skim the foam that rises to the top during the first hour of simmering—it helps clarify the broth and results in a cleaner-tasting final product.

Best Practices for Storing and Reheating Bone Broth

Once your broth has cooled, store it in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze it for long-term use. Glass jars are perfect for the fridge, but if you’re freezing broth, always leave space for expansion and avoid overfilling.

For convenience, freeze broth in silicone trays, then transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag. This way, you can easily defrost single portions to cook quinoa, steam veggies, or sip as a morning tonic.

When reheating, do it slowly over the stove rather than in the microwave, as high temperatures can degrade some of the beneficial compounds like gelatin. A gentle simmer is all that’s needed to bring your broth back to life.

Bone Broth for Fasting and Gut Healing

Bone broth is an excellent tool for those following intermittent fasting or therapeutic protocols like the GAPS or AIP diets. It provides nourishment without taxing the digestive system, making it ideal for gut rest days or when recovering from illness.

The gelatin in broth coats the digestive tract, while glycine supports liver function and detoxification. It can also stabilise blood sugar between meals, especially when consumed as a mid-morning or late-afternoon drink. Many people find it helps curb sugar cravings and maintain focus during fasted periods.

Using Bone Broth in Everyday Cooking

There are so many more ways to use broth than just soup. Try these creative ideas:

Replace water with broth when cooking rice or cauliflower rice
Add to stir-fries for moisture and flavour without extra oil
Deglaze pans after searing meat or vegetables
Use as a base for Paleo sauces or reductions
Blend with roasted veggies for a simple, creamy soup

You can even use bone broth in savoury baking, such as incorporating it into Paleo breads, muffins, or savoury pies. It’s a subtle but nutrient-boosting swap that brings added flavour to your recipes.

Choosing the Right Cooking Time

The length of time you simmer your bones can affect the final taste and nutrient content. Here’s a general guide:

Chicken bones: 12–24 hours
Beef or lamb bones: 24–48 hours
Fish bones: 4–6 hours

For maximum nutrition, especially gelatin and minerals, go longer. But if you’re after a lighter flavour or a quicker cooking time, shorter is fine too. An Instant Pot can speed this process up significantly, allowing you to extract nutrients in just a few hours without the long simmer.

Can You Drink Bone Broth Every Day?

Yes, and many people do. A mug of bone broth daily can support everything from gut health and immune resilience to reducing inflammation. If you're new to broth, start with a small amount and increase gradually. Some people with histamine sensitivity may prefer shorter cooking times or fresher broth for better tolerance.

Consistency is key. Like any dietary habit, the benefits of bone broth are cumulative. Incorporate it into your weekly meal plan, and over time, you’re likely to notice improvements in skin, digestion, energy, and overall wellbeing.

Join the Bone Broth Revival

Bone broth may have taken a back seat in recent decades, but it’s clearly making a well-deserved comeback. Whether you're sipping it for breakfast, cooking with it at dinner, or freezing it for future meals, you're tapping into an ancestral tradition that values nourishment, sustainability, and whole-animal eating.

So next time you have bones leftover from dinner, don’t throw them away—throw them into a pot instead. Your body, your budget, and your tastebuds will thank you.

Do you have a favourite bone broth recipe or secret ingredient? Share it in the comments!

Paleo diet chicken stock bone broth how to make recipe-min

Indulge in Savoury, Nourishing Chicken Stock for Ultimate Comfort

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The Great Aussie Meat Pie paleo diet primal recipe pastry grain-free gluten free-min

Paleo Aussie Meat Pie: Healthy and Delicious

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Australians love a meat pie; apparently, 260 million meat pies are eaten here each year. For a country with a population of just over 21 million, that’s a lot of pies!

A meat pie just wouldn’t be the same without some sort of pastry. Therefore, I thought it was time to give the Paleo treatment to the Aussie Meat Pie. The challenge was to create a crust that stayed true to Paleo principles while still being delicious and satisfying.

I took the meat pies along to a picnic in the sunshine this afternoon. I didn't even need to tell my non-Paleo friends that I hadn't used conventional ingredients – they got fantastic reviews, despite having only good ingredients!

There's something incredibly satisfying about making a classic dish healthier without sacrificing flavour. The almond meal crust provided a nutty, crunchy base that complemented the rich, meaty filling perfectly. Additionally, using grass-fed beef and homemade beef stock made the pies even more nutritious. FURTHERMORE, these pies are free from any artificial additives or preservatives, making them a wholesome choice.

Print Recipe

5 from 16 votes

The Great Aussie Meat Pie – Paleo Style

Australians love their meat pies, and this Paleo version delivers the classic flavour with a healthy twist. Made with almond meal crust and filled with grass-fed beef and vegetables, these pies are perfect for any gathering and will impress both Paleo and non-Paleo friends. MOREOVER, they are easy to prepare and can be made in advance, making them a convenient option for busy days.

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Total Time50

Course: Beef

Cuisine: Australian, Paleo

Keyword: Aussie meat pie, Australian meat pie, Beef pie, Grain-free meat pie, Healthy meat pie, Paleo meat pie

Servings: 8

Calories: 400kcal

Cost: 25

Equipment

Rolling Pin
Saute Pan
Paper cupcake cases

Ingredients

For the Crust

400 g Almond Meal
4 Eggs free range, organic, obviously
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
Pinch of salt onion powder, garlic powder & any other herbs you fancy

For the Filling

500 g minced beef I always try to get grass fed
500 ml Beef Stock I made this a few weeks ago with lots of bones, and froze lots of batches
1 red onion only because I’d run out of brown onions, diced
1/2 Sweet potato diced
1 carrot diced
4 mushrooms
Pinch Garlic powder salt, oregano & any other herbs you select

Instructions

First, mix the crust ingredients together to form a big ball of dough.
Next, roll the "pastry" out and form into paper cupcake cases, reserving about a third of the dough mixture for the lids. You should be able to make about eight individual pie cases, more if you roll it out a bit thinner.
Cook these for ten minutes at 200°C until they become hard, but not golden.
Meanwhile, sauté the onion in a spoonful of coconut oil, and add the minced beef after a couple of minutes. Once browned, add the sweet potatoes and carrots and let them cook for a few minutes.
Add the stock, mushrooms, seasoning, and herbs. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until it has a good “pie” consistency.
Take the filling off the heat and spoon it into the pie cases.
Once filled to the top, roll out the remaining dough and cut it into lid shapes to match the cases.
Put lids on all of the pies, forming a seal around the edges.
Return the pies to the oven for another ten minutes, until they start to turn golden.

These Paleo meat pies turned out to be a hit at the picnic. The sweetness from the sweet potatoes and the earthiness from the mushrooms combined beautifully with the seasoned beef. The almond meal crust was a delightful alternative to traditional pastry, providing a satisfying crunch.

Have you given the Paleo treatment to any Australian or New Zealand dishes? It’s always fun to see how classic recipes can be transformed to fit a healthier lifestyle. I'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have!

By making these small adjustments, we can enjoy our favourite foods while sticking to our dietary preferences. Whether you’re Paleo or just looking for a healthier alternative, these meat pies are a great option. AFTER ALL, who says you can't enjoy a hearty meal and still maintain a healthy diet?

What Makes the Aussie Meat Pie So Iconic?

The Aussie meat pie is a staple at footy games, petrol stations, school tuck shops and weekend barbecues. Traditionally made with a flaky wheat-based pastry and a rich, gravy-style beef filling, it’s a nostalgic comfort food for many Australians. Unfortunately, conventional versions often include additives, preservatives, and low-quality meat. That’s where this Paleo alternative shines — it celebrates everything good about the classic, but in a much cleaner, more nourishing form.

The Paleo Pastry: A Grain-Free Game-Changer

Creating a pastry that aligns with Paleo guidelines is no small feat, especially without gluten or processed flour. Almond meal steps in as the hero, providing a sturdy texture and subtle nutty flavour. It’s not only gluten-free, but rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, and magnesium. To help bind it, eggs and a dash of coconut oil or ghee work perfectly. The result? A pastry that holds up when baked, offers that essential crunch, and complements the filling beautifully.

Choosing the Right Filling

While traditional meat pies often use mystery meat or leftover trimmings, this version uses grass-fed beef mince, a protein-packed, nutrient-rich choice that supports ethical and sustainable farming. Sweet potato brings subtle sweetness and a great source of beta carotene, while mushrooms add umami richness. Onion, garlic, and fresh herbs enhance the depth of flavour without any need for artificial seasonings.

Cooking Tips for the Perfect Paleo Pie

Pre-cook your filling: Simmer the meat mixture until thickened before adding it to the crust — this prevents sogginess and keeps the pastry crisp.
Chill the dough: Paleo doughs can be more delicate than standard pastry, so chill it before handling to make shaping easier.
Use parchment paper: Rolling your crust between sheets of baking paper can make it less sticky and easier to transfer into your pie tin.
Don’t skip the egg wash: A light brush of egg on the top crust helps it turn golden and glossy while baking.

Make-Ahead and Storage Options

These meat pies are perfect for batch cooking and meal prep. You can make the filling and crust ahead of time, assemble the pies, and store them in the fridge for up to two days before baking. Once baked, they also freeze beautifully. Wrap them individually and store in an airtight container or zip-lock bag. To reheat, simply pop in a hot oven for 15–20 minutes until warmed through. They’re ideal for lunchboxes, picnics, or quick dinners during a busy week.

Serving Suggestions

While these pies are fantastic on their own, you can round out the meal with a few Paleo-friendly sides:

Simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette
Steamed broccoli or green beans with garlic
Cauliflower mash for extra comfort
Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut for a tangy contrast

For a more indulgent version, serve your pie with Paleo gravy or a spoonful of homemade tomato relish (using nightshade-free options if needed).

Celebrating Tradition Without Compromise

This Paleo Aussie Meat Pie recipe proves that you don’t have to give up your childhood favourites when you move to a healthier lifestyle. In fact, reinventing these classics can be a rewarding experience, helping you feel more connected to your roots while still honouring your health goals.

Customising Your Pie

One of the joys of cooking at home is customisation. You can easily adapt this meat pie based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Try these variations:

Swap the beef for lamb mince or shredded chicken for a different twist.
Add diced veggies like carrot, zucchini or spinach for more texture and nutrition.
Use mashed pumpkin or parsnip instead of sweet potato for a slightly different flavour profile.
Make it mini: Create smaller, hand-held versions of the pie — perfect for entertaining or kids’ lunchboxes.

A Paleo Pie to Be Proud Of

Whether you're new to Paleo or a seasoned follower, this Aussie Meat Pie recipe is proof that you don't have to sacrifice tradition for health. It’s nourishing, satisfying, and full of familiar flavours that’ll please even the non-Paleo crowd. Best of all, it’s a reminder that eating well doesn’t have to mean giving up the foods you love — just learning how to reinvent them.

Tell Me How Yours Turned Out!

Have you made this meat pie? Did you tweak the ingredients or try a variation? I’d love to hear how it went. Whether it was for a footy night, a family lunch, or a quick midweek dinner, leave a comment below with your thoughts and any tips you’d add for other readers.