Homemade Beef Stock

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. In a roasting pan, combine beef bones, stew meat, carrots, and onion. Drizzle with oil, tossing to evenly coat, and spread in a single layer. Roast, turning everything once halfway through, until meat is browned on all sides, about 45 minutes.

2. Transfer bones, meat, and vegetables to a stockpot. Place roasting pan over two burners, add 1/2 cup water, and bring to a boil, scraping browned bits from bottom; transfer mixture to stockpot. Add enough water to pot to cover meat and vegetables by about 2 inches (5 to 6 quarts). Bring to a boil, skimming foam and impurities from surface.

3. Add celery stalks and leaves, peppercorns, thyme, and parsley sprigs. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer, uncovered, until mixture is darkened and reduced slightly, and bones have released their marrow, 8 to 12 hours.

4. Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve (line it with cheesecloth for clearest possible stock). Let stand until fat rises to surface, then skim it from stock with a spoon. Freeze fat to use in place of oil or schmaltz in savory dishes. Stock can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week, or frozen up to 6 months.

Cook's Notes

To remove the fat without skimming, refrigerate stock until it floats to the top and solidifies, then lift it off with a spoon.