Let me tell you about my secret weapon for glowing skin and happy joints – this ridiculously easy slow cooker collagen tea! I stumbled onto this magic potion when my knees started creaking louder than my grandma’s rocking chair. After one sip of this rich, nourishing broth, I was hooked. The best part? You literally dump everything in the slow cooker before bed and wake up to liquid gold. No fancy techniques, no standing over a stove – just set it and forget it. My slow cooker collagen tea has become my morning ritual (and my skin thanks me daily). Trust me, your future self will high-five you for making this.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Collagen Tea
This isn’t just another broth recipe – it’s a game-changer! Here’s why you’ll be making this collagen tea on repeat:
- Effortless magic: Dump everything in before bed, wake up to a nutrient-packed elixir – your slow cooker does all the work while you sleep!
- Skin & joint love: Packed with natural collagen that makes your skin glow and keeps your joints moving smoothly (goodbye, creaky knees!).
- Deep, rich flavor: The long simmer creates a broth so flavorful you’ll want to sip it plain – no bland health drinks here!
- Kitchen multitasker: Use it as a base for soups, stews, or just enjoy warm in your favorite mug – it’s endlessly versatile.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Collagen Tea
Gathering these simple ingredients feels like preparing a healing potion – and trust me, the results are just as magical! Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 2 lbs beef bones – I swear by marrow or knuckle bones (my butcher knows me as “the bone lady” at this point)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar – the secret weapon that helps pull all that good collagen from the bones
- 1 onion, quartered – no need to peel, just chop and drop (the skins add beautiful color!)
- 2 carrots, chopped – about 1-inch chunks are perfect
- 2 celery stalks, chopped – include those leafy tops for extra flavor
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed – just give them a good whack with your knife
- 1 tsp black peppercorns – whole is better than ground here
- 1 bay leaf – my grandma’s rule: always remove it before serving!
- 8 cups water – just enough to cover everything completely
- Salt to taste – I add this at the end so I can control the flavor
That’s it! Simple, whole ingredients that transform into liquid gold in your slow cooker. Now let’s make some magic!
Equipment You’ll Need
You probably already have everything you need to make this magical collagen tea! Here’s the short and sweet list:
- 6-quart slow cooker – mine’s an old hand-me-down that still works like a charm
- Fine mesh strainer – to catch all those little bits (cheesecloth works too in a pinch)
- Large bowl – for straining your golden broth into
- Airtight containers – I use mason jars because they make me feel fancy
That’s seriously it – no fancy gadgets required!
How to Make Slow Cooker Collagen Tea
This is where the magic happens! Making collagen tea is so easy you’ll laugh – just a few simple steps and your slow cooker does all the hard work. Here’s exactly how to get that perfect, collagen-rich broth every single time.
Step 1: Prepare the Bones and Vegetables
First, let’s talk bones! You can roast them at 400°F for 30 minutes first if you want deeper flavor (I usually do this on lazy Sundays). Then just toss everything into your slow cooker – bones, veggies, garlic, all of it. No need to be precise with your veggie chops – rustic chunks are perfect! The apple cider vinegar goes in now too – this helps pull all that good collagen from the bones.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Extract Collagen
Fill your slow cooker with water until everything’s just covered (about 8 cups usually does it). Here’s the secret: the long cook time is what makes this so special! Set it on low for at least 12 hours – I often go 24 when I’m feeling extra. The broth will transform from cloudy water to rich, golden liquid packed with collagen goodness. Your house will smell amazing!
Step 3: Strain and Store
Now for the messy but rewarding part! Carefully strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a big bowl. I like to let it cool a bit first so I don’t burn myself (learned that the hard way). See the layer of fat on top? You can skim that off after it cools if you want, but I leave a little for flavor. Pour into jars or containers and you’re done! It’ll last 5 days in the fridge or 3 months frozen – though mine never lasts that long!
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Collagen Tea
After making this collagen tea every week for years, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to incredible. Roasting the bones first adds such deep, rich flavor – just 30 minutes at 400°F makes all the difference. Let the broth cool completely before storing, and you’ll see that beautiful gelatinous layer (that’s the collagen gold!). Don’t salt until the end – I learned this the hard way when I ended up with broth saltier than the sea! And that white foamy stuff at the start? Just skim it off with a spoon – it’s totally normal and won’t affect the final product. Trust me, these little tweaks make a big difference!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the ways you can enjoy this liquid gold! My personal favorite? Sipping it straight from a mug first thing in the morning – it’s like a warm hug for your insides. But don’t stop there! Use it as an ultra-nourishing base for soups, stews, or even to cook grains like rice or quinoa for an extra protein boost. When I’m feeling fancy, I’ll stir in a spoonful of miso paste or a squeeze of lemon to jazz it up. Honestly, once you taste how rich this is, you’ll find excuses to use it in everything!
Storage & Reheating
Here’s my foolproof system for keeping that precious collagen tea perfect! In the fridge, it stays good for 5 days – I always date my jars so I don’t forget. For longer storage, freeze it in portions (ice cube trays work great for small amounts!) for up to 3 months. When reheating, go low and slow – I microwave in 30-second bursts or warm gently on the stove. Pro tip: That magical gelatin layer will melt right back in when heated – no need to worry!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know – nutrition facts can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. But per 1-cup serving, you’re looking at about 50 calories, a solid 6g of protein (hello, collagen!), and just 2g of sugar from the veggies. Not bad for something that tastes this rich!
FAQs About Slow Cooker Collagen Tea
Can I really use a slow cooker to make bone broth?
Absolutely! My slow cooker is my bone broth best friend. The low, steady heat is perfect for gently extracting all that collagen goodness without boiling away the nutrients. I’ve tried stovetop versions, but the slow cooker gives me richer results with zero babysitting!
Does bone broth actually build collagen?
You bet it does! When you simmer bones for hours, you’re pulling out collagen that transforms into gelatin – the stuff that makes your broth jiggle when chilled. I noticed my nails got stronger after just a few weeks of drinking this regularly. Science backs it too – those amino acids are building blocks for your skin and joints!
What shouldn’t I put in my collagen tea?
Skip the starchy veggies like potatoes – they’ll make your broth cloudy. And trust me, you don’t want cruciferous veggies (looking at you, broccoli) unless you enjoy funky smells! Stick to the classic aromatics – onions, carrots, celery – for clean, delicious flavor.
Why does my broth look cloudy?
Don’t panic! Cloudiness usually means you stirred it too much during cooking or didn’t strain it well. It’s still packed with nutrients – just not as pretty. For crystal-clear broth, resist the urge to peek and stir, and use a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth.
Can I reuse the bones?
Oh honey, I’m thrifty – I reuse mine once! After the first 24-hour cook, I’ll do another 12-hour batch with fresh veggies. The second round is lighter, but still packed with goodness. Just toss them after that – they’ve given all they’ve got!
I’d love to hear how your collagen tea turns out! Drop me a note below about your slow cooker adventures – your tips might help another home cook.
PrintSlow cooker collagen tea transforms skin in just 24 hours
A nutritious and easy-to-make slow cooker collagen tea that boosts your collagen intake with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12-24 hours
- Total Time: 12-24 hours 15 mins
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Slow cooking
- Cuisine: Universal
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef bones (marrow or knuckle)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place beef bones in the slow cooker.
- Add apple cider vinegar, vegetables, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaf.
- Pour in water until bones are fully submerged.
- Cook on low for 12-24 hours.
- Strain the broth into a large bowl.
- Season with salt to taste.
- Let it cool before storing in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- Roast bones before cooking for a richer flavor.
- Skim off fat after cooling for a clearer broth.
- Store in airtight containers for up to 5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
