Bone broth needs no introduction; what needs an introduction is the bone of contention among bone broth lovers and enthusiasts. Truly, bone broth can be made not just from beef and chicken; turkey, bison, venison, duck, lamb, and pork are other great choices.
You should be wondering, why is now beef and chicken bone broth going head to head?
The answer is simple; these two have the highest number of enthusiasts. Not just that, there has always been an age-long comparison of which is better between chicken and beef. This should not come as a surprise.
Let’s make something clear; this isn’t going to be another rant of why one is better than the other. Just like the usual comparison between chicken and beef lovers, it all boils down to one thing; the individual preference.
While you are reading this, another bone broth lover, let’s say a pork bone broth lover or a turkey bone broth lover would also be painting an image of superiority in their mind.
Not still convinced? Look at the carton of both a chicken bone broth and a beef bone broth. Check through the nutritional content; there is an agreement on the nutritional benefits of these bone broths. Whether it’s a chicken bone broth or a beef bone broth, they both contain the same protein and similar amount of glycine.
And remember; the proteinaceous contents of a bone broth is what endeared both the beef bone broth and chicken bone broth lovers to it.
What is important is to be able to identify why someone would choose a chicken bone broth above beef bone broth and vice-versa. We’ve agreed on what seems to be the similarity. However, we cannot just assume there are no differences between the two. In terms of digestibility, taste, cooking time and the benefits felt, chicken bone broth and beef bone broth share no semblance. We’ll weigh the dissimilarity from these perspectives to justify reasons for the choice of one over another.
Chicken Bone Broth Vs. Beef Bone Broth: Which Cooks Faster?
Cooking time matters to everyone; no one wants to wait for an eon before having their chicken bone broth or beef bone broth ready for consumption.
On average, beef bone broth will take not less than 24 hours and not more than 36 hours to be well cooked and simmered. The reason is not far fetched; beef bones are heartier, thicker and stronger.
On the other hand, the thin and light nature of chicken bones makes it possible to make a chicken bone broth between 18 and 24 hours. It is, however, advisable that chicken bone broth is subjected to cooking for as long as 24h hours for proper breakage of bone and tissues. This will ensure that there is an ample release of collagen, gelatin, amino acids, and minerals.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t really count as to why Chicken bone broth or beef bone broth is superior over the other. The reason is simple; the cooking time of any bone broth, whether pork, beef, venison or chicken brings out the best out of it. A bone broth will be more concentrated due to longer cooking time.
That’s solved, right? Even though chicken broth cooks faster, it doesn’t mean it is better.
Chicken Bone Broth Vs. Beef Bone Broth: The Taste and The Flavor.
Before talking about the taste of either chicken bone broth or the beef bone broth, it’s vital to have an idea of how a regular bone broth tastes.
If all you’ve ever tasted is stock, you’ll conclude that a bone broth is bland and saltless. So also, bone broth comes off as thicker and oily in texture. Your taste bud is working perfectly, if that the feel.
We’ve established how a typical bone broth taste, it’s now proper to describe both chicken bone broth and a beef bone broth.
While beef bone broth is said to be bustling with tastier and heartier flavors, chicken bone broth comes lighter in taste. This isn’t always true anyways, just as earlier expressed, it all boils down to personal preferences. Not only that, the cooking time, mode and temperature have a lot to do in determining the taste.
As tasty as beef bone broth is said to be, it could turn bitter and darker if exposed to a high temperature for as long as 48 hours.
Whichever one is your choice, you can make it better in taste and flavor. For instance, you can add familiar flavors, it can even be your common stock.
For many people, adjusting to the taste of a bone broth is a hassle. You can make it a routine to let it go along with your soup, or maybe, your smoothie.
There you have it; we have intentionally failed in establishing any superiority of taste and flavor. We believe what you taste in either of a beef bone broth or a chicken bone broth is entirely up to you. It’s just like your smoothie; you have the creative freedom to decide the taste.
One Quick Tip: Roast your beef bones and chicken bones an hour before cooking. It’ll have an increase in the depth of the flavors.
Chicken Bone Broth Vs. Beef Bone Broth: How Easy is The Digestibility?
While some people will always say they find a chicken bone broth easier to digest, they are quick to forget that it’s a matter of cooking time and temperature.
Invariably, it doesn’t matter if its chicken, beef, or lamp, if it’s thoroughly cooked, it’ll have an impact on the digestibility. In short, all varieties of bone broth are easily digestible. It’s a factor of the cooking time and simmering.
Ordinarily, bone broth regardless of the type is good for the digestive system. Due to the high gelatin content of bone broth, it is said to treat a leaky gut. Usually, smaller bones are recommended for this intended benefit; this makes chicken bone the more suitable option.
All types of bone broth; both beef bone broth and chicken bone broth are easily digestible and soothing to the system. Bone broth, when cooked adequately, is fully broken down which the digestive system finds welcoming.
Since we are unable to establish which is easily digestible, it’ll be better if you go with a chicken bone broth. This is suitable for those with a weakened digestive system.
Chicken Bone Broth Vs. Beef Bone Broth: The Nutritional Benefits
If nutrients are what you seek from a beef bone broth and a chicken bone broth, you cannot get it wrong. Every sip of your chosen bone broth comes with an adequate amount of your desired nutrients.
In weighing the nutritional benefits of chicken bone broth and the beef bone broth, it’s highly dependent on what you need from a bone broth.
For instance, the human body cannot produce the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that it requires, it depends on our poultry and beef diets. If you need the right amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, chicken bone broth should suffice. However, if you’ve been medically advised to watch your omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, you should stick with beef bone broth.
This also applies to the protein content in both chicken bone broth and beef bone broth. The magic of the high protein in a chicken bone broth lies in the feet while that of the beef bone broth lies in its knuckles, joints, and marrows.
The only edge a beef bone broth has over a chicken bone broth when it comes to nutrients lies in the minerals. The large and dense structure of beef bone comes naturally with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sulfur in high concentration and amount.
Final Words..
Just as earlier stated, the idea is not to further fuel the comparison and dissimilarity. The purpose is to identify what makes both the chicken bone broth and the beef bone broth unique individually.
One thing we’ve all failed to accept is that both chicken bone broth and beef bone broth have their strengths. These strengths can be combined for the benefits derivable to our body.
Rather than choose one, nothing stops you from combining both chicken bone broth and beef bone broth.
Maybe, if this interests you, our next piece would be “How to make a chicken-beef bone broth combo.” Go read it now.
