Neck bones are one of those old-school Southern comfort dishes that prove simple ingredients can taste like pure magic when you cook them right. Toss them in the slow cooker with broth, onions, and seasonings, and let time do the work. By the end of the day, you’ll have tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with a broth so flavorful you’ll want to pour it over rice or sop it up with cornbread.
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Crockpot Neck Bones Ingredients
- Beef or Pork Neck Bones: 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.
- Broth
- Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper
- Onions
- Bay Leaf (optional)
What Are Neck Bones
Pork neck bones are the meat and bone from the neck of a pig or hog. They have a small amount of meat on them and when simmered, the meat is tender and juicy. 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.
How to Make Slow Cooker Crockpot Pork Neck Bones
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prep the neck bones. Pat the neck bones dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Sear for flavor (optional but recommended). Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the neck bones on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per side. This adds an extra layer of flavor before they go into the slow cooker.
- Layer the ingredients. Place sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker to act as a bed. Add the browned neck bones on top.
- Add broth and seasoning. Pour enough broth into the slow cooker to just cover the meat. Tuck in a bay leaf if using for extra flavor.
- Cook low and slow. Cover with the lid and cook until the meat is tender and starting to fall off the bone.
- Finish and serve. Remove the bay leaf. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Serve the neck bones with rice, mashed potatoes, or cornbread to soak up that rich, flavorful broth.
Slow Cooker Crockpot Neck Bones
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½-2 pounds pork neck bones Raw, not cooked or smoked.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups broth Any broth: chicken, pork, vegetable or simply water. Use enough liquid to cover the neck bones.
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup chopped onions I used white onions.
Instructions
- Season the neck bones on all sides with the spices.
- Add the broth to the slow cooker. Add the seasoned neck bones, onions, and bay leaf on top of the broth.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Slow cook for 3-4 hours on High or 7-8 hours on Low.
- I like to cook the neck bones until they are tender and fall off the bone.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
Slow cook for 3-4 hours on High or 7-8 hours on Low.
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.
Cooked neck bones can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days.
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.
Pair With These Side Dishes
Creamy Butter Beans
Cornbread Muffins
Southern Turnip Greens
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Cornbread Dressing with Chicken
Southern Mac and Cheese Recipe
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Necks
Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Slow Cooker Crockpot Beef Roast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff
Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo
Slow Cooker Crockpot Oxtails
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
If you want to cook these on the stove check out our Pork Neck Bones recipe.
Anonymous says
Did exactly like the recipe said do and served them collard greens and rice ..and they were very delicious...
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Rebecca says
Cook them as your recipe stated,delicious and tender.
Never cook them in a slow cooker before.
Tank you.
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Amber says
I am putting this together right now and cooking cabbage when I get home from work! Thanks for the simple recipe! <3
staysnatched says
You're welcome!