This Southern-style Neck Bones (neckbones) recipe will transport your taste buds to a world of tender, fall-off-the-bone pork necks smothered in a light gravy. Steeped in rich tradition and bursting with flavor, neck bones are a beloved Southern dish that will leave you craving more. Whether you have fond memories of them from family gatherings or you’re ready to embark on a culinary adventure, my neck bones recipe is your gateway to a deeply satisfying meal.
What Are Neck Bones?
Neck bones (or neckbones) are exactly what they sound like — the neck portion of various animals, such as pork, turkey, or beef. However, pork is the top choice for Southern-style cooking. Despite not having a lot of meat, neck bones pack a punch when it comes to flavor. The key is to cook them long enough for the meat to fall right off the bone. In this recipe, I use a delectable sage, garlic, and paprika dry rub, slow-cooking the neck bones with onions and a light gravy. The result? Fall-off-the-bone tender pork necks that will make your taste buds dance.
How to Choose the Perfect Neck Bones
When selecting neck bones, keep in mind that the amount of meat can vary. Some neck bones come with more bone than meat. To ensure a flavorsome dish, meticulously pick out the meatiest pieces when shopping. Your efforts will be rewarded with a deeply satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Neck Bones Recipe
There are several reasons why this neck bones recipe will have you coming back for seconds:
- Deeply Flavorful: A blend of seasoned salt, paprika, and sage ensures each bite is rich and savory.
- Tender Results: Slow-cooking in the oven allows the neck bones to become beautifully tender, with meat that easily pulls away from the bone.
- Homemade Gravy: Our gravy, infused with chicken bouillon and a hint of onion, elevates the dish and creates a mouthwatering combination with the neck bones.
- Versatile Serving: These neck bones pair well with a variety of sides, from classic mashed potatoes to greens or cornbread.
- Hearty and Satisfying: This meal fills you up, warms you from the inside, and leaves you content, reminding you of home-cooked comfort.
Ingredients You’ll Need For Southern-Style Neck Bones
To make this Southern-style neck bones recipe, gather the following ingredients:
- Seasonings: Sage, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper add a hearty and earthy flavor to the neck bones. Be sure to season them before searing.
- Bacon Fat: Bacon fat is the preferred choice for searing the neck bones, but you can use olive oil or another vegetable oil for a lighter version.
- Neck Bones: These can be found in grocery stores, and pork neck bones are the most versatile option.
- Onion: Sliced white onions are the perfect addition for extra savory flavor.
- Chicken Bouillon Powder: Mixed with all-purpose flour and water, this creates the delicious gravy. You can also use beef or vegetable bouillon.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour is used to thicken the gravy. For a gluten-free option, substitute with cornstarch.
How to Make Neck Bones
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and clean the neck bones.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and sage. Season the neck bones with this flavorful mixture.
- Add bacon fat (or oil) to a large pot and brown the neck bones on all sides for about 5-6 minutes.
- Drain the neck bones and place them in a large casserole dish. Top with sliced onions, cover with foil, and bake for an hour in the preheated oven.
- In a large pot, stir 2 cups of lukewarm water with chicken bouillon powder. Gradually add all-purpose flour while whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth and thickened. If it becomes too thick, add a little more water.
- Pour the thickened mixture over the neck bones. Cover and cook for another hour or until the meat falls away from the bone.
What to Serve with this Southern Neck Bone Recipe
For a complete meal, serve your neck bones with side dishes like Collard Greens, Rice, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, or Mashed Sweet Potatoes. The combination of flavors will leave you fully satisfied.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to switch things up with these recipe variations:
- Use a slow cooker: For a hands-off approach, make this recipe in a slow cooker to save time and effort.
- Mix up the spices: Experiment with onion powder, parsley, oregano, thyme, cayenne, smoked paprika, chili flakes, Italian seasoning, Creole seasoning, or bay leaves.
- Swap out the meat: If pork neck bones are not available, you can use beef, turkey, or chicken. Just note that cooking times may vary.
- Add some spice: Kick up the heat by adding fresh jalapeños, habaneros, or Scotch bonnet peppers to the roasting neck bones.
Tips For Making the Best Neck Bones
Follow these tips to ensure your neck bones turn out perfectly:
- Thaw before prepping: Make sure the neck bones are fully thawed before starting the recipe. This allows the seasoning to stick better and ensures even cooking.
- Don’t forget to sear them: Searing the neck bones not only enhances the flavor but also locks in moisture and prevents juices from leaking out.
- Be patient: For fall-off-the-bone tender meat, don’t rush the cooking process. It takes at least 2 hours to achieve the desired tenderness.
- Keep an eye on liquid levels: While baking, make sure there is enough liquid to keep the neck bones moist and tender. If it reduces too quickly, add a bit more stock or water.
- Rest before serving: After cooking, let the neck bones rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is succulent.
What to Do with Leftovers
If you have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container for storage. They can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 2-3 months.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, transfer the desired portion to a casserole dish covered with foil. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until warm. Alternatively, you can microwave a single serving in 60-second intervals until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about neck bones:
- Where can I purchase neck bones? You can find neck bones in most grocery stores. If they’re not available there, check butcher shops or specialty stores like Asian markets.
- Do I have to clean my neck bones? Yes, it’s crucial to clean neck bones by rinsing them with water to remove any impurities like dirt or blood.
- Are neck bones healthy? Neck bones are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. They can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.
- Why are my neck bones tough and not tender? If your neck bones are tough, they may not have been cooked long enough. These cuts benefit from slow cooking, which allows the connective tissues to break down and the meat to become tender.
- My gravy is too thick. How can I fix it? Gradually whisk in additional chicken stock or water until you achieve the desired consistency. Remember to heat the added liquid to ensure an even consistency.
- My gravy is too thin. What should I do? Create a slurry with equal parts cold water and flour. Gradually whisk this into your gravy and simmer until it thickens.
- There are lumps in my gravy. How can I smooth it out? Strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve or use an immersion blender to smooth out any lumps that may have formed.
- The seasoning doesn’t stand out. How can I enhance the flavor? Adjust with a bit more seasoned salt, black pepper, or garlic powder. Taste as you adjust to ensure a balanced flavor.
- Can I use beef or vegetable stock instead of chicken stock for the gravy? Yes, you can substitute with beef or vegetable stock, but it will slightly alter the flavor profile. Use whichever option you prefer or have on hand.
Embrace Tradition with Neck Bones
Revisiting classic recipes like neck bones allows us to savor the fusion of tradition and taste. With each bite, you’re not just enjoying a dish; you’re crafting memories seasoned with authenticity. Whether for a family gathering, a nostalgic meal, or simply the joy of cooking, this neck bones recipe has got your back. It offers tenderness, flavor, and a sense of home. So, the next time you’re craving neck bones or wondering how to perfect them, follow this guide and let the magic unfold.
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Additional Recipes
If you loved making these neck bones, give these other pork recipes from Grandbaby Cakes a try:
- BBQ Baby Back Ribs
- Smothered Pork Chops
- Honey Glazed Ham
- Baked Turkey Wings
- Best Meatloaf Recipe