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Beef Neck Bones Recipe

Southern Beef Neck Bones Recipe

This Southern beef neck bones recipe is slow-cooked until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender in a rich, savory broth. It’s comfort food made the old-school way, simple ingredients, low heat, and plenty of time.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 People
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds Beef neck bones Choose meatier pieces
  • 1 teaspoon Olive oil For searing
  • to taste — Salt Start light
  • to taste — Black pepper Fresh ground is best
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika Adds depth
  • ½ tablespoon Creole seasoning Optional
  • 1 cup Onion Chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 2 cups Beef broth Add more if needed
  • 1 leaf Bay leaf Optional

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch oven or heavy pot Must have a tight-fitting lid
  • 1 Wooden spoon For deglazing the pot
  • 1 Sharp knife For chopping onions
  • 1 Cutting board Any sturdy board works
  • 1 Measuring cups For broth
  • 1 Measuring spoons For seasoning
  • 1 Tongs Helps with searing

Method
 

Step 1:
  1. I pat the beef neck bones dry and season them well with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Creole seasoning. I let them sit for a few minutes while my pot heats up.
    Beef Neck Bones Recipe
Step 2:
  1. I heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches, I sear the neck bones on all sides until deeply browned, then remove them and set aside.
    Beef Neck Bones Recipe
Step 3:
  1. In the same pot, I add the chopped onion and garlic. I sauté for 2–3 minutes, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom because that’s where the flavor lives.
    Beef Neck Bones Recipe
Step 4:
  1. I pour in the beef broth and deglaze the pot completely with a wooden spoon, making sure nothing sticks.
    Beef Neck Bones Recipe
Step 5:
  1. I return the neck bones to the pot, add the bay leaf, and bring everything to a gentle simmer. The liquid should mostly cover the meat.
    Beef Neck Bones Recipe
Step 6:
  1. I reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the neck bones cook slowly for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally and adding more broth if needed.
    Beef Neck Bones Recipe
Step 7:
  1. Once the meat pulls easily from the bone, I remove the pot from heat and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
    Beef Neck Bones Recipe

Notes

I always sear the neck bones first because it adds deep flavor you can’t get by just boiling them. Cook them low and slow, rushing will make them tough. If you want thicker gravy, uncover the pot for the last 20–30 minutes and let the broth reduce naturally.