Looking to add a little Southern flair to your dinner table?
Look no further than this mouthwatering neck bone recipe from Grandbaby Cakes.
Bursting with flavor from a sage-infused spice rub and slow-cooked to perfection, this dish is sure to leave you craving more.
With tips, variations, and FAQs included, get ready to impress your guests with this delicious creation.
neck bone recipe
To make a Southern-style neck bone recipe, you will need pork, turkey, or beef neck bones.
Start by seasoning the neck bones with a sage-infused spice rub and slow cook them until the meat falls off the bone.
For added flavor, sear the neck bones using bacon fat or vegetable oil.
Serve the neck bones with Southern Cornbread, Corn Muffins, Collard Greens, or Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese.
You can also use the neck bones for stocks, broths, or centerpiece recipes.
Add sliced white onions and chicken bouillon powder for extra flavor.
To thicken the gravy, use all-purpose flour or cornstarch.
Variations include using a slow cooker, trying different spice combinations, swapping meats, or adding heat with jalapeños, habaneros, or Scotch bonnet peppers.
Remember to thaw the neck bones before cooking and be patient during the cooking process.
Leftovers can be stored and reheated, and for more details on purchasing and cleaning neck bones, refer to FAQs or recipe suggestions from Grandbaby Cakes.
Key Points:
- Use pork, turkey, or beef neck bones for a Southern-style recipe
- Season the neck bones with sage-infused spice rub and slow cook until tender
- Sear the neck bones using bacon fat or vegetable oil for extra flavor
- Serve with Southern sides like Cornbread, Collard Greens, or Macaroni and Cheese
- Use neck bones for stocks, broths, or centerpiece recipes
- Add onions and chicken bouillon powder for additional flavor
neck bone recipe – Watch Video
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Pro Tips:
1. The neck bone is often considered the hidden gem of meat cuts, as it is rich in collagen and can impart a delightful gelatinous texture to soups and stews.
2. In traditional Chinese cuisine, neck bone is used to make a flavorful and nourishing medicinal broth known as “Tong Cao” soup, believed to promote joint health and enhance resilience.
3. In Italian cooking, neck bone is a key ingredient in “straacoto,” a slow-cooked meat dish where the bone marrow adds a luxurious richness to the sauce.
4. Neck bone can also be found in Scandinavian cuisine, where it is used in traditional Swedish dishes like “fläsklägg,” a tender, slow-cooked pork dish served with mustard and boiled potatoes.
5. The neck bone is an underrated cut in barbecue culture, often used in Southern American cooking to create succulent pulled pork sandwiches or as a flavorful addition to slow-cooked barbecue beans. The natural fats and connective tissues in the neck bone create exceptional flavors when cooked low and slow.
Pork, Turkey, and Beef Neck Bones
Neck bones are often an overlooked cut of meat, but in Southern-style cooking, they are highly valued for the rich and flavorful broth they produce. This recipe combines the succulent flavors of pork, turkey, and beef neck bones to create a mouthwatering dish.
Each type of neck bone brings its own unique essence to the recipe:
- The pork neck bones add a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a deep, savory flavor.
- The turkey neck bones provide a slightly lighter and gamier taste.
- The beef neck bones, on the other hand, bring a robust and beefy essence that enhances the overall complexity of the dish.
Note: Neck bones are a versatile and delicious ingredient that can elevate your cooking to new heights!
Sage-Infused Spice Rub
To enhance the flavors of the neck bones, a sage-infused spice rub is employed. Sage, with its earthy and slightly peppery taste, perfectly complements the richness of the meats. The spice rub comprises a blend of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and, of course, sage. This combination produces an enticing aroma that permeates the meat during cooking, intensifying the flavors and imparting a fragrant note to the dish.
Slow-Cooking Instructions
One of the secrets to achieving tender and flavorful neck bones is the slow-cooking method. This process allows the collagen in the bones to break down gradually, resulting in meat that effortlessly falls off the bone. Start by preheating the oven to a low temperature to ensure even cooking. Season the neck bones generously with the sage-infused spice rub, ensuring each piece is coated with the flavorful mixture. In a large pot, heat bacon fat or vegetable oil over medium-high heat and brown the neck bones on all sides, creating a nice caramelized crust. Transfer the neck bones to a baking dish, along with sliced white onions for added flavor. Place the dish in the preheated oven and cook for several hours until the meat becomes tender and starts to separate from the bone.
Selecting Meatiest Neck Bones
When selecting neck bones for this recipe, it is essential to choose the meatiest ones available. Look for bones with a significant amount of meat attached, as this will provide the most succulent and flavorful results. The meaty neck bones not only enhance the taste but also contribute to the overall texture and mouthfeel of the dish. Ask your butcher for assistance in selecting the best neck bones for your recipe.
Using Bacon Fat or Vegetable Oil for Searing
The searing step is crucial as it helps to develop a rich and deep flavor in the neck bones. Traditionally, bacon fat is used for searing in Southern-style cooking due to its smoky and savory notes. However, if you prefer a lighter option, vegetable oil can also be used. Both options add depth and enhance the taste of the neck bones, creating a delicious foundation for the rest of the dish.
Serving Suggestions: Southern Cornbread, Corn Muffins, Collard Greens, Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
To complete your Southern-style neck bone feast, consider these mouthwatering serving suggestions:
- Start with warm and buttery Southern cornbread or fluffy corn muffins to soak up the savory broth and enhance the flavors of the meat.
- Pair the neck bones with a side of flavorful collard greens, cooked until tender and seasoned with smoky bacon or ham hock.
- For a comforting and indulgent addition, serve Southern baked macaroni and cheese, oozing with cheesy goodness and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
These classic Southern accompaniments perfectly complement the rich and hearty flavors of the neck bones, creating a truly satisfying meal.
Stay tuned for the continuation of this article in part 2.
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You may need to know these questions about neck bone recipe
Are neck bones good to eat?
Neck bones may not be the most tender cut of meat, but their toughness can be transformed into tenderness through slow-cooking techniques. Despite their sinewy nature, when prepared properly, neck bones offer a delightful culinary experience. Comparable to the taste of oxtail or shank, the meat from neck bones exudes a distinctively robust flavor, owing to the demanding role the neck plays in an animal’s life. So, while neck bones require patience and skill to prepare, they can truly be a gastronomic pleasure for those willing to put in the effort.
What do you do with a neck bone?
One can utilize a neck bone in various culinary applications, especially when seeking to enhance the depth and richness of flavors. Despite its limited meat content, the pork neck bone becomes a valuable ingredient when simmered for several hours, as it infuses broths and sauces with a delicious taste. Soul food enthusiasts frequently incorporate neck bones into their recipes, whether it be adding them to collards or gumbos. However, our preferred utilization of pork neck bones lies in elevating the flavor profile of spaghetti sauce, where their simmered essence imparts a savory quality, creating a truly delectable dish.
What is Neckbone made of?
Neckbone is comprised of the actual bones from the neck region of animals such as pork or beef. Although these bones may not have much meat, they possess a richness of flavor that intensifies when cooked. The scarcity of meat surrounding the bones does not diminish the delightful taste that is unlocked through the cooking process.
What do you eat with neckbones?
Neckbones, a flavorful and succulent cut of meat, can be paired with a variety of delicious side dishes to create a well-rounded meal. For a classic combination, serve neckbones with mashed potatoes and collard greens, creating a comforting plate of tender meat, creamy potatoes, and earthy greens. Alternatively, you can opt for jasmine rice accompanied by roasted brussels sprouts, which provides a balance of textures and flavors that complement the richness of the neckbones.
Reference source
https://grandbaby-cakes.com/neck-bones/
https://discover.grasslandbeef.com/blog/how-to-cook-neck-bones/
https://lakegenevacountrymeats.com/blog/ask-lgcm/pork-neck-bones
https://food52.com/blog/21520-soul-food-neck-bones-and-lima-beans
