If you want to know how to cook neck bones, this article is for you.

Beef neck bones are the most underrated of all beef bones, in our opinion. They have ample cartilage between the joints, lots of mineral content, and plenty of meat surrounding the bone, making neck bones versatile and great value for money compared to trendy Oxtail or Marrow bones.


Today’s article will guide you through the various ways you can cook and enjoy neck bones while going easy on your wallet at the same time. 

Different Methods For Cooking Beef Neck Bones

Though neck bones or often overlooked, they are super healthy, versatile, and easy to prepare. Below we will review different methods for cooking the perfect meaty beef neck bones that you may want to try making in your own kitchen. 

Beef Neck Bone Prep 

Before cooking your neck bones, we suggest leaving on any excess fat or connective tissue from the bone, as this is flavor and nutrient-rich. If you plan to use the bones to make a broth, it is essential to leave the bones intact to infuse them with more collagen.


In addition, we suggest always browning your neck bones before cooking them, regardless of which method you go with. This is especially important when braising the lean meat before slow cooking it with liquids, as browning the bones will amplify the beefy / umami flavor notes. 


Depending on your diet, you may want to season your neck bones beforehand to further enhance the meat’s umami flavor. 


We will go over this step throughout the article again, as roasting or pan-frying the beef neck bones makes all the difference in the final flavor! 

 

How To Cook Neck Bones In The Oven 

Cooking beef neck bones in the oven is pretty straightforward. Even though beef neck bones are similar to oxtail, they have less meat around the bone. Therefore, we suggest braising or slow cooking the meat in liquid for optimal results. 

You can braise beef neck bones in the oven with the help of an oven-safe pot. We highly recommend using a cast-iron dutch oven for this process. Then serve the beef bones over rice like a stew for the ultimate comfort meal.


Step By Step Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Season your beef neck bones with salt, pepper, cumin, and dried garlic. 
3. Allow the neck bones to brown using your oven’s roasting pan for approximately 20 to 40 minutes. 
4. Transfer beef neck bones into a dutch oven with water, apple cider vinegar, onions, and aromatic herbs. Then, place it in the oven for 2 ½ to  3 hours.
5. Remove the dutch oven and allow the meat to cool before serving. 

How To Cook Neck Bones In A Crockpot

Beef neck bones are absolutely mouthwatering when cooked slow and low in a crockpot. You can incorporate a myriad of liquid bases using this cooking method, from apple cider vinegar to dry red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. The liquids help break down the neck bone’s tough connective tissue while enhancing the beef’s overall flavor. 

You can cook your beef neck bones on a high setting for approximately six to eight hours if you are in a rush. Although, they are a lot more tender and juicy when kept in the crockpot for anywhere between twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

Step By Step Instructions: 

1. Preheat your crockpot on a low setting.
2. Dry season the neck bones with salt, black pepper, allspice, cumin, dried garlic, and a 1/4 cup of flour (optional but helps them attain a nice, charred crust when pan-frying). 
3. In a hot skillet, add olive oil to lightly brown the neck bones (roughly one minute on each side).
4. After the bones are browned, transfer them into the slow cooker with water and two cups of apple cider vinegar (you may substitute with beef or vegetable broth).
5. Keep it on a low setting for twelve hours. Then, add a whole diced onion and other aromatic ingredients.
6. Allow the neck bones to cook in the crockpot for another ten to twelve hours. 
   
   
   

 

How To Cook Neck Bones On The Stove 

Braised beef neck bones are straightforward to prepare on the stovetop. The neck bones have a generous layer of meat surrounding the bone that is broken down when cooked in liquid. The results leave you with juicy, tender meat that will fall right off the bone. 

 

 

Step By Step Instructions: 

1. Season the beef neck bones with your preferred spices like salt, pepper, and cumin. 
2. Lightly pan-fry the neck bones on a stovetop skillet to attain a brown, somewhat charred crust (approximately one to two minutes on each side). 
3. Saute garlic, diced onions, carrots, and celery in a pot at low to medium heat. Add tomato paste and water or beef (or vegetable) stock. 
4. Place the beef neck bones into the pot and cover with a lid. Allow it to boil and reduce to a simmer, leaving it to cook for two hours. 
5. Add any aromatic ingredients like bay leaves, thyme, or other fresh herbs. Cover the pot and let it cook for another three to four hours. 
6. Once the meat is cooked and tender, remove it from the pot. 

 

 

How To Cook Neck Bones In An Instant Pot 

 

 

 

Making beef neck bones in an instant pot produces a similar consistency and flavor as those prepared in a crockpot. However, the handy appliance cuts the cooking time immensely, allowing you to eat juicy meaty neck bones in less than two hours. This method is ideal for busy professionals or parents that want a hearty yet quick weeknight meal.

Step By Step Instructions: 

1. Preheat the instant pot on saute mode for about five minutes. Switch it off and select the stew setting to use when cooking the neck bones. 
2. Season the meat with your desired seasonings like black pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Pan-fry the neck bones on each side until browned or roast in the oven for 20 to 40 minutes.
4. Add the beef neck bones to the instant pot, topping them with water (use beef or vegetable stock for a heartier alternative) and apple cider vinegar. Toss any aromatics like bay leaves, fresh thyme, carrots, and onions into the pot as well. 
5. Let the neck bones cook on the instant pot’s stew setting for 70 to 80 minutes. Allow them to cool before serving over rice. 

How To Cook Neck Bones In The Air Fryer

You can cook neck bones in an air fryer. Although, it may be a tad tricky to determine the optimal temperature and time setting. Aim to cook it on low for at least thirty to forty minutes before removing it from the air fryer for the best results.

The air fryer utilizes dry heat, meaning the neck bones will be less juicy with no liquid base. So, we suggest using this method only if you are pinched on time.

Step By Step Instructions: 

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes. 
2. Season your beef neck bones with your desired spices like salt and pepper. 
3. Toss the neck bones into the air fryer and set the cooking time for 40 minutes on air fry (depending on how many bones you have and the size of your appliance, you may need to do this twice). 
4. Flip the beef neck bones at the halfway mark, approximately 20 minutes later. Let them continue to cook before rechecking them around 30 minutes in or until done. 
5. Remove the neck bones from the air fryer and allow them to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

 

 

How To Cook Neck Bones For Making Broth

Beef neck bones are a game-changer for anyone who makes their own soup broth. They are also highly nutritious and an excellent source of collagen, which promotes bone density and overall skin health.

Be sure to feature any of your preferred aromatic herbs like thyme, sage, or parsley for added flavor and health benefits.

You can make a rich and hearty beef bone broth on the stovetop or with countertop kitchen appliances like a crockpot or instant pot.

Then, you may feel free to incorporate the broths into stews, risottos, and soups like Vietnamese-style beef pho. The recipe below may be adjusted depending on the kind of appliance you choose to cook the neck bones with using the information provided above.

Step By Step Instructions:

1. Season the beef neck or broth bones with salt, pepper, and dried garlic powder to taste.
2. Place the neck bones on your oven’s roasting tray at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately forty-five minutes or until browned (you should employ this step before making any type of bone broth to enhance the umami flavor). 
3. Add the roasted neck bones to an instant pot or pressure cooker with water, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and extra salt. Incorporate aromatics like fresh sage and diced onions, celery, and carrots. 
4. Put your instant pot on the stew setting and allow the neck bones to cook for 70 to 80 minutes. 
5. Take the bones out of the instant pot once they are fork-tender. Allow them to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. 

Beef Neck Bones FAQs

Are Neck Bones Expensive?

Neck bones are some of the most affordable beef cuts on the market. They offer a similar taste and texture to oxtail, mainly due to each beef cut’s gelatinous connective tissue. However, beef neck bones are significantly less costly than oxtail or marrow bones since they are not as trendy. Another bone on a similar price point would be Knuckle Bones, which come from the top of the femur bone.

You can purchase the bones in bulk to incorporate into a myriad of meals, from soup broths to Southern-style neck bones and gravy. Doing so helps you save even more money in the long run while still eating delicious meals featuring beef neck bones. 

Where Can I Buy Beef Neck Bones?

Many local butchers and supermarkets sell beef neck bones. They are sometimes labeled as “broth bones,” so you may want to ask for that if you are having trouble finding the meat cut in-store. 

You can also order beef neck bones from trusted online butcher like TruBeef Organic. We feature neck bones and collagen-packed beef knuckle bones in our grass-finished beef broth bones collection.

These bones are Certified Organic and Verified 100% Grass-Fed and Finished.  It is ideal for making chemical free, healthy tasty soups, stews, and other hearty broth-based meals.

How Do I Store Beef Neck Bones? 

You may freeze raw beef neck bones for approximately nine to twelve months before they diminish in quality. Thawed neck bones should be kept in the refrigerator for no more than three days before cooking. 

If your beef neck bones are already cooked, you can store bones and meat safely in the fridge for around three to four days. However, if you used neck bones to make a beef bone broth, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to one year. The broth will keep in the refrigerator for about seven days. 

 

Conclusion

• Neck bones are both highly nutritious and tasty due to their meat and connective tissue content.
• Neck Bones are a lot cheaper than Oxtail or Marrow Bones.
• Neck Bones make a great base for broths, stews, and soups.
• Always brown your neck bones in the oven at 450°F for 20 to 25 minutes to bring out the beefy umami flavors.
• Apple Cider Vinegar is great to help draw out the nutrients when slow cooking.
• Omce you master the methods to cook neck bones, learning how to cook marrow bones will be a breeze....why? They are the exact same cooking process!