Does Whole Foods Sell Beef Bones? A Complete Guide

Beef bones are growing in popularity for uses like bone broth, dog treats, and adding flavor to dishes. With the rise of food trends like bone broth and nose-to-tail eating, more people are looking to purchase beef bones from their grocery stores. As one of the largest natural and organic grocery chains in the United States, many customers wonder – does Whole Foods sell beef bones?

The answer is yes Whole Foods does sell beef bones at many locations. However the specific types of beef bones available can vary by individual store. In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to purchasing beef bones from Whole Foods, including

• The different types of beef bones sold at Whole Foods
• How to find them in-store or online
• Prices and purchasing options
• Selection and availability by location
• Nutrition facts and benefits of beef bones
• Tips for using beef bones from Whole Foods

Let’s explore the world of beef bones at Whole Foods!

Types of Beef Bones Sold at Whole Foods

Whole Foods offers a variety of beef bone options, including raw marrow bones, knuckle bones, oxtails, and soup bones Here is an overview of the different types of beef bones available

Beef Marrow Bones – Marrow bones are commonly cut from the femur or leg bone. They contain a core of marrow surrounded by bone. Marrow bones can be used for bone broths or roasting to enjoy the bone marrow. Whole Foods sells beef marrow bones both organic and conventional.

Knuckle Bones – Also known as joint bones, these connective bones join the femur to the knee. Knuckle bones have a rounded shape and contain collagen. They are good for extended cooking in broths or stews.

Oxtails – Oxtail is the tail of an ox or cow. It contains a high ratio of meat, fat, and connective tissue. Oxtails are popular for slow-cooked soups and stews to extract maximum flavor.

Soup Bones – Soup bones come from various parts of the cow. They contain meat, marrow, and connective tissue. As their name suggests, soup bones are ideal for flavoring bone broths and soups.

Organ Meat – Some Whole Foods locations also sell other beef organ meat like liver, heart, kidney, and tongue. These can be used along with bones for comprehensive nose-to-tail cooking.

Finding Beef Bones at Whole Foods In-Store

If you want to hand select your beef bones, the butcher counter is the best place to look. Here are some tips for finding bones in-store at Whole Foods:

• Check the fresh meat department and butcher area. Beef bones may be displayed in a dedicated section, the soup bone area, or with other beef cuts.

• Ask the butcher if they have any beef bones or marrow bones available. They can retrieve them from the back if needed.

• Look for signage like “Soup Bones,” “Bone Broth Bones,” or “Marrow Bones.” This indicates bones specifically packaged for cooking.

• Inspect the bones for quality. Look for bones with deep red marrow and minimal cracks.

• For the widest selection, visit larger Whole Foods stores or those with fuller service butcher counters. Selection can be more limited at smaller neighborhood stores.

Purchasing Beef Bones Online from Whole Foods

If you prefer to order bones for delivery or pickup, Whole Foods also offers select beef bones for online ordering. Here’s how to find them online:

• Visit WholeFoodsMarket.com and search for “beef marrow,” “beef soup bones,” or “oxtails.” Filter the category by meat or beef if needed.

• On product pages, check if delivery or order pickup is available from your nearest store. Enter your zip code to verify availability.

• For delivery, you can order bones along with the rest of your groceries. For pickup, select a pickup time when placing your order.

• Make sure to properly store the bones if you won’t use them soon after purchasing. Refrigerate raw bones for safety.

Prices for Beef Bones at Whole Foods

Beef bone prices at Whole Foods generally range from $2 to $6 per pound. However, special cuts like marrow bones and oxtails tend to be pricier, from $6 to $12 per pound. Here are some typical price points:

• Beef soup bones – $2 to $4 per lb
• Knuckle and joint bones – $3 to $5 per lb
• Short ribs with bone – $4 to $6 per lb
• Oxtails – $6 to $12 per lb
• Organ meats like liver – $3 to $5 per lb
• Bone marrow bones – $6 to $12 per lb

Note: Prices may vary depending on your geographic location and individual store. Sale prices and bulk discounts can also apply. Checking prices online for your nearest store or visiting the butcher counter will give the most accurate pricing.

Availability and Selection by Location

The availability and variety of beef bones can differ across Whole Foods locations. Here are some factors that affect in-store selection:

• Store size – Larger Whole Foods stores and flagship locations generally have the biggest selection of bones in the butcher department. Smaller neighborhood stores may have just basic soup bones or none at all.

• Region – Areas with more demand for bone broth and grass-fed meat tend to carry a wider selection. Regions like the Pacific Northwest and West Coast have more extensive bone choices.

• Seasons – Around major broth-cooking holidays like winter and Thanksgiving, some stores bring in more marrow and knuckle bones to meet demand. Check ahead these times of year.

• Staffing – Whole Foods stores with full-time, highly trained butchers on staff tend to offer greater bone diversity and custom orders. Part-time meat departments have less variety.

If beef bones are important for your cooking needs, your best bet is visiting the larger Whole Foods stores in your area to maximize your selection. Developing a relationship with an in-store butcher can also allow you to make special requests or place orders for hard-to-find bones.

Nutrition Facts and Benefits of Beef Bones

Beef bones provide several nutritional and health benefits beyond just flavor. Here’s an overview of their nutritional value:

Bone marrow – Bone marrow is rich in healthy fats like omega-3s along with vitamins A, K2, and B12. It provides an energy-dense food source.

Collagen – Bones contain collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals. Collagen promotes gut health, skin elasticity, and joint lubrication.

Minerals – Bones provide minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. These help strengthen bones and teeth.

Chondroitin sulfate – This compound found in cartilage has been linked to reducing inflammation and arthritis pain.

Glycosaminoglycans – These compounds support immunity and gut barrier integrity. They are concentrated in bony joints.

When cooked into broths, soups, and stews, beef bones impart many of their nutritional compounds and minerals into the surrounding liquid. This makes bone broths highly nourishing. Their versatile ingredients also fit into various diets like paleo, keto, and gaps.

Tips for Using Beef Bones from Whole Foods

Once you’ve brought home beef bones from Whole Foods, here are some tips for putting them to use:

• For immediate use, choose bones with at least 1-2 inches of meat and avoid bones sliced lengthwise.

• To store, rewrap raw bones tightly in butcher paper or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 4-6 months.

• Marrow bones stay freshest when frozen, as the marrow can go rancid quickly at room temperature.

• Blanch bones in hot water or broth for 10 minutes before cooking to remove impurities. Rinse well.

• When making broth, add vinegar to help extract minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium from the bones.

• Simmer bones on low heat between 24-48 hours to yield rich, nutritious bone broths.

• Roast marrow bones cut-side up at 450°F for 15 minutes to enjoy the bone marrow. Scoop it out like butter for serving.

• For pets, select meatier knuckle and soup bones. Monitor your dog while they chew bones to prevent choking or intestinal blockages.

• To reduce waste, use meat pulled off bones in another dish, or retain the bones to make a second batch of broth.

At Whole Foods, beef bones provide an affordable way to unlock deep flavor and nutrition using the entire animal. With proper selection and preparation, bone broths and dishes made from quality beef bones can be an indispensable part of your cooking repertoire.

So next time you’re browsing the meat department at Whole Foods, don’t forget