Kettle and Fire is one of the better store-bought bone broths you can find. It uses a short, recognizable ingredient list built around grass-fed beef bones (or free-range chicken bones) and organic vegetables, delivers 19 grams of protein per serving in the classic beef variety, and keeps sodium moderate at 330 mg per serving. For a shelf-stable product, it’s a solid option that comes closer to homemade than most competitors.
What’s Actually in It
The classic beef bone broth contains water, grass-fed beef bones, onions, carrots, celery, parsley, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Every ingredient besides the bones, water, and salt is certified organic. There are no added sugars, no natural flavors, no yeast extract, and no preservatives. That’s a notably clean label compared to many grocery store broths that rely on flavor enhancers or concentrates to mimic depth.
Apple cider vinegar serves a functional purpose here: the acidity helps draw minerals and collagen from the bones during a long simmer. It’s the same technique home cooks use when making bone broth from scratch.
Protein and Calorie Breakdown
A single serving of the classic beef bone broth has 80 calories and 19 grams of protein. That protein-to-calorie ratio is genuinely impressive for a liquid food. Most of that protein comes from collagen, which breaks down into gelatin during cooking and then into amino acids like glycine and proline when you digest it. These amino acids support joint health, gut lining integrity, and skin elasticity, though the effects are gradual and depend on consistent intake over weeks or months.
One thing to keep in mind: collagen protein is not a complete protein. It’s low in certain essential amino acids, so it shouldn’t replace your main protein sources. Think of it as a supplement to your overall intake, not a substitute for eggs, meat, or legumes.
How the Sodium Compares
At 330 mg of sodium per serving, Kettle and Fire lands on the lower end of the bone broth market. Here’s how it stacks up against other popular brands:
- Kettle and Fire Beef Bone Broth: 330 mg
- Brodo Chicken Bone Broth: 375 mg
- Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth: 460 mg
- Bare Bones Beef Bone Broth Powder: 460 mg
- FOND Beef Bone Broth: 960 mg
If you’re watching sodium, Kettle and Fire gives you a reasonable amount without being excessively salty. The 330 mg represents about 14% of the recommended daily limit of 2,300 mg. That’s manageable for most people, even if you have two servings in a day. The only brand that came in meaningfully lower was Dr. Kellyann’s powdered collagen packets at 230 mg, though powdered broths tend to have a thinner flavor profile.
Shelf Stability Without Preservatives
One common concern with shelf-stable broth is whether preservatives are keeping it fresh. Kettle and Fire uses heat-based sterilization rather than chemical preservation. The broth is cooked and then sealed in cartons using a process that heats the product to a temperature high enough to eliminate microorganisms capable of growing at room temperature. This is the same basic principle behind canned goods, just applied to a modern carton format.
The result is a product that stays safe on your shelf for months without refrigeration, and without anything artificial in the ingredient list. Once opened, it needs to go in the fridge and should be used within about a week.
How It Tastes
Taste is where Kettle and Fire separates itself from budget options. The broth has a rich, slightly gelatinous quality when warmed, which signals genuine collagen extraction from the bones. It’s savory without being overpoweringly salty, and the herbs are present but subtle. If you’ve ever made bone broth at home and simmered it for 12 to 24 hours, the flavor profile is in that neighborhood, though a touch milder.
It works well for sipping on its own, which is how many people use it as a daily health habit. It’s also a strong base for soups, risottos, and sauces where you want real body rather than the watery feel of cheaper broths.
Worth the Price?
Kettle and Fire typically costs between $7 and $10 per carton, which is significantly more than a standard box of broth from Swanson or Pacific. You’re paying for grass-fed bones, organic vegetables, a long cooking time, and a clean label. Whether that’s worth it depends on how you plan to use it.
If you’re drinking bone broth daily for the protein and collagen benefits, the cost adds up quickly. Making your own from grass-fed bones is far cheaper per serving, though it takes hours of simmering and freezer space. If convenience matters and you want a high-quality product you can grab from the pantry, Kettle and Fire delivers on what it promises. It’s not a miracle food, but as packaged bone broths go, the ingredient quality, protein content, and moderate sodium make it one of the stronger choices on the market.