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Beef Neck Bones

This Beef Neck Bones recipe is a classic, traditional meal made on the stovetop, boiled, and stewed until the chuck meat from the neck bones literally falls off the bone. Pair this with rice, potatoes, collards, cabbage, and cornbread.

beef neck bones with gravy, cabbage, rice, and carrots on a plate
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What Are Neck Bones/Where Do They Come From?

Just like it sounds, neck bones are taken from the neck.  It is a very economical cut. Due to the tendons and bones found in the neck, it can be a rather tough cut if cooked quickly. You have to cook neck bones low and slow. The meat will become super tender and have so much flavor.

Neck bones are very inexpensive and are often served for Southern meals along with Southern Collard Greens and Southern Cornbread.

Neck bones are also great stocks, soups, and gravy. You can make bone broth using neck bones.

raw beef neck bones in a glass bowl

Where to Buy

I often find that beef neck bones have more meat than pork neck bones which are mostly bones. I still like to pay close attention and look for packages with meatier bones.

raw seasoned beef neck bones on a sheet pan

How to Cook Beef Neck Bones

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Pat the neck bones dry and season both sides of each with the spices.
  2. Place a Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat. When hot, add olive oil along with the seasoned neck bones.
  3. Sear each side of each neck bone.
  4. Add onions and saute.
  5. Add broth and vegetables to the pot and deglaze.
  6. Cover the pot and simmer.
fresh carrots, celery, and onions in separate glass bowls
beef broth and spices in separate bowls

Cook Time/How Long to Cook

You will need to simmer them on the stove for a couple of hours. If you like them really tender, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone, it will take 3-4 hours to cook.

collage image of 4 photos with seared neck bones and onions in a pot
beef neck bones in a pot with vegetables

How to Add Smoky Flavor

I love to use smoked paprika to add smoked neck bones flavor. You can also add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the broth.

How to Smother them in Gravy

You can save your neck bone drippings once the neck bones have cooked, and use it to make gravy. You can follow the steps from my Turkey Gravy with Drippings recipe.

beef neck bones in a pot with vegetables

Vegetables You Can Add

  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Potatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Green Beans

How to Store Them

Cooked neck bones can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze leftovers tightly covered and sealed. For best taste, they will last up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat.

beef neck bones with cabbage, rice, and carrots on a plate

Pair With These Side Dishes

Creamy Butter Beans
Cornbread Muffins
Southern Cabbage
Southern Turnip Greens

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Cornbread Dressing with Chicken
Southern Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese

Tender Juicy Oxtail recipe

More Recipes

Pork Neck Bones
Braised Beef Chuck Short Ribs
Beef Tips and Gravy
Eye of Round Roast Beef
Bone in or Boneless Prime Rib
Thanksgiving Chicken
Cajun Dirty Rice

Fried Potatoes and Onions
Southern Black Eyed Peas with Smoked Turkey

beef neck bones with gravy, cabbage, rice, and carrots on a plate
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5 from 5 votes

Beef Neck Bones

This Beef Neck Bones recipe is a classic, traditional meal made on the stovetop, boiled, and stewed until the chuck meat from the neck bones literally falls off the bone. Pair this with rice, potatoes, collards, and cornbread.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword beef neck bones, how to cook beef neck bones on the stovetop, how to cook neck bones
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 728kcal

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds beef neck bones Raw, not cooked or smoked.
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cups broth Any broth: beef, chicken, pork, vegetable or simply water. Use enough liquid to cover the neck bones.
  • 1 cup chopped onions I used white onions.
  • 1 cup choped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped celery

Instructions

  • Pat the neck bones dry and season both sides of each with the spices.
  • Place a Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat. When hot add the olive oil along with the seasoned neck bones.
  • Sear each side of each neck bone. Remove the neck bones from the pot.
  • Add the onions and saute for 2-3 minutes or until soft and fragrant.
  • Add the broth to the pot and deglaze the pot by scooping up any brown bits (leave them in the pot for flavor) with a spatula or wooden spoon.
  • Add the neck bones back to the pot, along with the carrots and celery, and stir. Ensure the neck bones are submerged in liquid. Add additional if necessary. They will take longer to cook if they aren't submerged in liquid.
  • Adjust the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and simmer for 2-4 hours. Check in and add additional liquid to the pot as the liquid cooks down.
    The longer the neck bones cook, the more tender they will be. Fall-off-the-bone neck bones typically take 3-4 hours.

Notes

You can season the neck bones however you like and substitute Creole seasoning for any of your favorite spices or beef rubs.
Use enough spices to coat all sides of the neck bones. Add additional spices and seasoning as necessary.
Adding vegetables to this dish is optional. You can omit them if you wish.
Just like ham hocks, you may find packages of neck bones with little to no meat, which are mostly bones. Pay close attention and look for packages with meatier bones.
I find them readily available in local grocery stores. You can also check specialty markets, even some Asian grocery stores.
You will need to simmer them on the stove for a couple of hours. If you like them really tender, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone, it will take 3-4 hours to cook.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 8oz | Calories: 728kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 59g | Fat: 52g
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Recipe Rating




Andrea

Friday 3rd of November 2023

What a hearty and comforting meal. The meat looks incredibly tender and all the flavors sound marvelous.

sisley

Friday 3rd of November 2023

It's one of those cuts of meat that I wouldn't have thought of but I'm so glad I tried it.

staysnatched

Friday 3rd of November 2023

I'm glad you tried it, too!

Chenee

Friday 3rd of November 2023

Absolutely delicious. I'll be making this one again and again.

staysnatched

Friday 3rd of November 2023

Glad to hear you will make it again!

Casey

Friday 3rd of November 2023

OOH how yummy! I love the way the meat just falls off the bone.

staysnatched

Friday 3rd of November 2023

The best part for sure!

Kim

Friday 3rd of November 2023

I've seen beef neck bones in the store and always wondered what people make with them. This looks like something I'd like to try!