5 Reasons (with 5 Recipes) to Have Broth for Breakfast (2024)

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  • 1. Broth for breakfast is great when you’re in a rush
  • 2. Broth for breakfast is light yet nourishing
  • 3. You can still have eggs!+
    • Basic Eggs in Broth
    • Basic Eggs in Broth, Asian-style
    • Eggs in a Tomato-Basil Broth with Sausage
  • 4. You can still have oatmeal!+
    • Savory Oatmeal with a Fried Egg and Sriracha
    • Savory Oatmeal with Peas and Peanuts
  • 5. It’s cold outside
  • Get More Broth for Breakfast Recipes!

Breakfast broth is rapidly gaining in popularity as a healthy option for a morning meal. The reasons for its benefits are simple and so are the recipes for making it!

5 Reasons (with 5 Recipes) to Have Broth for Breakfast (1)

One of my challenges as a Nutritional Therapist is getting people to think outside the box for what they can have for each meal of the day. Homemade broth for breakfast certainly fits the bill.

This is especially important if we’re removing things like gluten or grains for a while. Because outside of eggs, there’s not a whole lot left, at least in the standard American breakfast landscape of cereals, muffins, croissants, pancakes, waffles, and bagels.

Also, keep in mind that although broth for breakfast isn’t common in America, it is in many other places around the world, especially Asia.

When I traveled to Burma, I started every morning with a fish-broth based noodle soup called mohinga (trust me, it tastes better than it sounds). And when I was in Thailand, I often had a light breakfast of rice in broth (known as a “congee”) with different herbs and seasonings.

Since then, broth for breakfast has become a standard part of my breakfast repertoire, especially in the colder months.

But even if you’re not traveling to Asia or going grain-free anytime soon, here are four good reasons to consider broth for breakfast:

1. Broth for breakfast is great when you’re in a rush

Warm up some broth on the stove. Add in whatever you want – some greens, some chopped garlic, poached some eggs in there, maybe throw in some leftover chicken or sausage, spice it up with salt and pepper or soy sauce. Boom. Breakfast is ready in five minutes.

2. Broth for breakfast is light yet nourishing

As a Nutritional Therapist, I hear this all the time: “But I’m not hungry in the morning.” Many people don’t do well with heavier protein-based breakfasts for many reasons. They often skip breakfast as a result but regret it a few hours later when they’re starving at work and have nothing prepared.

If you’re one of those people who get nauseous at the thought of eggs and bacon in the morning, consider having broths for breakfast instead. They’re easily digestible and won’t make you feel bloated. But if you’re like me and need a bit more protein…

3. You can still have eggs!

Broths don’t have to be light. If you’re one of those that thrive on heartier breakfasts, broths can still do the trick. Adding a good protein and some starch like rice or potatoes can make for a very filling meal. And the easiest way to add some quick protein is to add some eggs. They work well in almost any broth. You can poach ’em right in the broth and they’ll cook in just a few minutes.

So on that note, here are a few super simple broth for breakfast recipes with eggs:

Basic Eggs in Broth

Ingredients

  • 1-2 cups broth of choice – chicken, beef, fish, pork, etc.
  • 1-2 eggs
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Several sprigs parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Bring broth to a simmer.

2. Add in eggs and simmer a few minutes until whites are cooked but yolks are still soft and runny.

3. Top with parmesan cheese, parsley and salt, and pepper, to taste.

Basic Eggs in Broth, Asian-style

Ingredients

  • 1-2 cups broth of choice
  • 1-2 eggs
  • 1 or 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, chopped
  • Kale, chopped
  • Soy sauce or fish sauce, to taste

Directions

1. Bring broth to a simmer and add in ginger, garlic and simmer a few minutes, longer if you have time, to further infuse garlic and ginger flavor.

2. Add in eggs and kale and simmer a few minutes until eggs are cooked and kale is thoroughly wilted.

3. Season to taste with soy sauce or fish sauce.

Eggs in a Tomato-Basil Broth with Sausage

Ingredients

  • 1-2 cups chicken or beef broth
  • 1-2 eggs
  • 1 tsp tomato paste
  • ¼ – ½ link sausage, crumbled or chopped into rounds
  • 3-4 basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Bring broth to simmer. Remove about a ½ cup to a bowl, mix in tomato paste and return to the broth, thoroughly mixing. Add a little more or less tomato paste, to your liking.

2. Add sausage and cook for about a minute. Alternatively, if you have time, saute the sausage separately in oil for more flavor and then add it to the broth at the end. Add in eggs and poach a few minutes.

3. Top with basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. You can still have oatmeal!

The first time I heard about savory oatmeal in bone broth I thought, “Bone broth? In oatmeal? Dear God…NO!”

After all, oatmeal is supposed to be sweet. Everyone knows that. Like the sky is up. Like dogs are better than cats (sorry cat lovers but it’s a fact). And like bacon is the greatest food ever. It’s just a law of Nature.

Then again, who would’ve thought butter and coconut oil go so well in coffee?!

Well, the same goes for savory oatmeal. The first time I tried it,I was hooked.

Here’s the basic 3-step formula:

1. Soak one part oatmeal to two parts warm water overnight. Add 1 teaspoon whey, yogurt or a squeeze of lemon juice. This will make the oatmeal more digestible and it will also cook up very quickly.

2. Drain water and add chicken or beef bone broth and a chopped clove of garlic and simmer for about five minutes.

3. Season to taste with salt or soy sauce and any type of hot sauce you like.

You can liven things up by adding all sorts of veggies, herbs, spices, and even nuts and different meats. And eggs ALWAYS work well. Add a hard-boiled egg, top with a fried egg or poach an egg in the broth while simmering.

Here are two ridiculously simple savory oatmeal recipes:

Savory Oatmeal with a Fried Egg and Sriracha

Directions:

Once oatmeal is done simmering, add a dollop of Worcestershire sauce and top with a fried egg (or two) and sriracha.

Boom. Done.

Add some chopped chilies for some extra spiciness. Alternatively, exclude the sriracha if you’re not a fan of spiciness.

Savory Oatmeal with Peas and Peanuts

Another common Burmese breakfast is a simple plate of boiled rice with peas and peanuts. Sounds a bit dull, I know, but for whatever reason, peas and peanuts complement each other beautifully.

Directions:

Add frozen peas to simmering oatmeal or fresh peas towards the end. Top with peanuts. Season to taste with salt or soy sauce.

Boom. Done!

Note: A drizzle of unrefined sesame oil and a pinch of sea salt rounds this out into pea-nutty perfection.

5. It’s cold outside

What sounds like a better way to start out your day on a bone-chillingly cold winter morning? Cold breakfast cereal or a steaming bowl of nourishing broth?

I rest my case.

Get More Broth for Breakfast Recipes!

The recipes above are just a small sample of the broth for breakfast recipes in my new book, Fearless Broths and Soups: Ditch the Boxes and Cans with 60 Simple Recipes for Real People on Real Budgets.

5 Reasons (with 5 Recipes) to Have Broth for Breakfast (2)

But there’s a lot more to it than just broth for breakfast.

It also includes chapters on:

  • How to make basic bone broths in 5 simple steps
  • How to make broth-based soups in 3 simple steps
  • Asian Noodle soups including Thai, Vietnamese and Burmese-inspired recipes
  • Creamy Vegetable soups including Sweet Potato Coconut Curry and Creamy Carrot-Apple with freshly ground cinnamon
  • Soups from the Sea including Cioppino, Clam Chowder, and Bouillabaisse
  • Simple Sausage and Meatball soups including Italian Meatball and Portuguese Kale
  • Lots more!

Just like the broth for breakfast recipes above, all of the recipes emphasize simplicity. They’re geared to all you stressed out moms and dads, workaholics and non-cooks trying to figure out how to eat well with limited funds and time.

And these days, that’s just about everyone.

5 Reasons (with 5 Recipes) to Have Broth for Breakfast (3)
5 Reasons (with 5 Recipes) to Have Broth for Breakfast (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of chicken broth for breakfast? ›

Rich in minerals: Broth is a good source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Good for gut health: The collagen and gelatin in broth can help heal and seal the gut lining, improving gut health and reducing inflammation.

Can you drink broth for breakfast? ›

You must drink bone broth first thing in the morning because it's packed with amino acids like glutamine, proline and glycine that support digestion and nourish your gut lining to prepare it for incoming food.

Why is homemade chicken broth good for you? ›

Chicken broth is packed with essential nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your diet. It is low in calories and fat, yet high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. The collagen and amino acids found in chicken broth can also promote healthy digestion, joint health, and immune function.

What makes a broth good? ›

"If making homemade broth, it's a good idea to roast meat, bones, and vegetables before adding them to your pot of water. The browning of these ingredients gives depth, savoriness, and color to broths," Norton says. Plus, it's easy to roast all the soup broth components at once.

Why do people drink broth in the morning? ›

Benefits of Drinking Bone Broth Before Breakfast & Coffee

Bone broth is the ideal drink to kick start any morning and start your daily gut health ritual as it eases your digestive system back into action and provides essential nutrients that will help you to feel soothed, satisfied, and incredibly righteous.

Is it good to have soup for breakfast? ›

Some people may enjoy eating soup and bread for breakfast, while others may not. Soup is great for breakfast as it hydrates you and bread is packed with carbs and energy for the day. There is no such thing as breakfast foods and nothing that is really any better for breakfast than anything else.

Is a liquid breakfast OK? ›

Despite claiming to be "high in fibre" most liquid breakfasts have less than 5%. Most liquid breakfasts are low in protein and high in sugar, often containing as much sugar as a chocolate bar. They are also advertised as a breakfast-substitute, however do not provide enough energy to be a complete meal.

Is bone broth ok for breakfast? ›

Bone broth's protein may come with more benefits you won't get from coffee. “The high protein content of bone broth can help keep you full and satisfied for longer, which has the benefits of reducing cravings for sweet foods that are associated with a low-protein breakfast,” Chun said.

Is a broth healthy? ›

It can make a healthy addition to your diet and contains nutrients such as collagen, electrolytes, and various amino acids. Consuming bone broth can help reduce inflammation and build muscle when combined with daily exercise.

Will chicken broth fill you up? ›

We agree, but research suggests that eating soup or broth provides a feeling of satiety and fullness, making it easier to bypass less-healthy options. Several studies have found that consuming a small bowl of soup or broth before a meal fills you up, so you eat fewer calories.

Is it okay to drink straight chicken broth? ›

In order to avoid confusion, the rest of this article will refer to bone broth as stock. Because of the rich flavor of broth that comes from meat, vegetables and herbs, you can drink broth plain.

Does chicken broth go bad? ›

Chicken broth can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen (for best quality) for 2-3 months.

Is broth a good snack? ›

"Homemade vegetarian or meat-based broths are very low glycemic, with no added sugar, low in calories, and a great way to get hydration," Dr. Means says. "As such, it can make for a great snack to tide you over between meals without an insulin spike that can lead to post-meal crashes in energy."

Which is richer broth or stock? ›

Stock has a richer, deeper flavor and mouthfeel, making it better at adding body to a dish, whereas broth might be a better choice when you want to let other flavors to shine.

Should you drink chicken broth in the morning? ›

Your body is in need of constant care and detoxifying, which is why a cup of broth in the morning is a great idea. It will give you the energy you need for the day (without a caffeine crash) and clear your head to focus on the day.

Is broth good for empty stomach? ›

If you're working to improve your gut health, we'd recommend drinking at least 3 cups of broth a day, ideally with the first being on an empty stomach in the morning. For hair, skin + nails: With its many benefits, collagen has gained increasing popularity in the past decade or so.

Is it healthy to drink straight chicken broth? ›

Because of the rich flavor of broth that comes from meat, vegetables and herbs, you can drink broth plain. People often do this to remedy a cold or the flu. In fact, drinking warm, steaming broth is an effective way to loosen up mucus when you have a stuffy nose. It is even more effective in the form of chicken soup.

Why does chicken broth make your stomach feel better? ›

Chicken Broth

Bone broth includes several healthy nutrients that directly relate to healing. Gelatine and Glucosamine, a primary building block in the digestive system, both protect and heal the lining of the digestive tract—a factor that can be important when flu symptoms upset the GI system.

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