Sediment in chicken stock
Despite using a fine mesh strainer, when I pour out my stock into a container, I appear to have a lot of sediment/debris in my stock. I am following the method used by Chef John (Foodwishes) http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2012/02/roasted-chicken-broth-part-1-of.html and I'm not sure if this is normal, or if I should be doing more to get a cleaner/purer chicken stock. I do my best to skim, but as a newbie, it's hard to tell if I am skimming the right parts.
Best Answer
A stock made from roasted chicken is never going to be clear like a consomme.
You will note in the the video you reference, the stock is also moderately cloudy with some particles floating around in it.
This is normal, and nothing to worry about.
If you do desire a more clear stock next time:
- Bring the stock only to the most gentle of simmers to reduce the amount of sediment stirred up from the boiling action. It may be easiest to do so by putting the stockpot in the oven rather than doing it stove top.
- Strain the stock with a very fine strainer or chinois, lined with several layers of cheese cloth.
In truth, I would suggest this is not worth it for most applications, unless you feel the appearance of the final dish being created is marred. Since aspics are no longer terribly popular, where a clear gel really is needed for appearance, normally getting a very clear stock is not needed.
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Is chicken stock supposed to have stuff in it?
A store-bought broth shouldn't be cloudy and shouldn't have any sediment in it, according to the EatByDate website. These visual cues are less applicable with homemade broth, which can often be cloudy, have sediment, or show a bit of coagulated chicken fat.What is the sediment in broth?
Different organisms will exhibit varying growth characteristics in broth. Some organisms will diffuse uniformly throughout the broth; some will sink to the bottom and form a sediment; some will grow in clumps, producing flocculent growth, and some will float on the top of the broth, forming a pellicle.How do you know if your chicken stock is bad?
If liquid chicken broth has gone bad, the pleasant aroma will be replaced with a sour smell. You may also see some sediment in the bottom of the container and the chicken broth may appear cloudy. If your chicken bullion granules or cubes are getting old, they will no longer be crumbly.Does chicken broth have specks?
The broth has been simmered for some time, so most of the nutritious and delicious compounds are in the liquid. Most, that is, but not all. Some small amount remains in the flecks. You can strain it for improved color and visual appeal, or leave them in.Can Your Own Chicken Broth (IT'S SO EASY!!): Homesteading Family
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Answer 2
The smartest solution is to cool down the broth overnight in the fridge then using a fine mesh net scooper to take the top sediment off. It would be as good as a consomme ;)
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