what animal does beef neck bones come from

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This Southern-style Neck Bones (neckbones) recipe features tender, fall-off-the-bone pork necks covered in a light gravy. Neck bones are a traditional Southern dish that many people have grown to love over the years. They are tasty and have a lot of history behind them. Maybe you remember them from family gatherings or you want to try something new in the kitchen. My neck bones recipe will help you make a very satisfying meal.

Neck bones may not be the first thing you think about when it comes to cuts of meat. Just make sure you use the right cooking method and wait a little while. You’ll love the huge flavor they have to offer.

Enjoy this Southern classic with a light gravy and some tasty sides! It doesn’t take much to make a really tasty meal.

Uncovering the Bovine Origins of Beef Neck Bones

As a curious home cook and avid meat eater, I’m always interested in learning more about the various cuts I find at the butcher shop. Recently when shopping for ribs, I came across an unfamiliar package labeled “beef neck bones.” I wondered – what animal does beef neck bones come from? This sent me on a fact-finding mission to uncover the origins of this odd-sounding cut.

In this article, I’ll share my discoveries on where beef neck bones are sourced from, including:

  • The specific part of the cow beef neck bones are cut from
  • Key anatomical features of the cow’s neck
  • How neck bones compare to other popular beef cuts
  • Creative ways to cook beef neck bones
  • Nutritional benefits this underrated cut provides

So if you’ve ever scratched your head over these arcane-sounding bones, read on to solve the bovine mystery!

Beef Neck Bones Are Sourced From the Cervical Vertebrae of Cows

After some digging, I discovered beef neck bones come from the neck region of cows, specifically the cervical vertebrae. The neck contains 7 vertebrae with meat, fat, and connective tissue surrounding them. When these vertebrae are cut into cross sections, they become the aptly named “beef neck bones.”

This beef cut comes from the same general area that rib and chuck cuts are sourced from. However, neck bones contain more connective tissue and are much meatier than simple soup bones. The meat has a loose grain and a decent fat content like chuck roasts. Overall, an intriguing part of the cow I had never considered eating before!

Demystifying the Composition of Beef Neck Bones

To fully understand this unique ingredient, let’s look at what makes up beef neck bones:

  • Vertebrae bones – The 7 cylindrical neck bones that lend their name. They have a hollow marrow interior.

  • Meat – Shreds and chunks of meat cling to the bones and connective tissue. Well-marbled for moisture.

  • Connective tissue – Abundant collagenous tissue needs to be cooked down into gelatin.

  • Fat – Creamy fat marbling bastes the meat and adds flavor during cooking.

  • Cartilage – Rubbery cartilage disks are found between each vertebrae.

This diverse anatomy makes neck bones ideal for braises, soups, broths, and stews, as we’ll explore next.

Mastering the Art of Cooking Beef Neck Bones

Low and slow cooking brings out the best in beef neck bones. Here are 3 simple steps:

  1. Sear the seasoned bones in a hot pan to caramelize the exterior.

  2. Simmer in a flavorful liquid like broth, tomato sauce, or wine for 2-3 hours.

  3. Shred or chop the fall-apart tender meat once cooled.

This extended cooking breaks down the collagen into luscious gelatin that thickens and enriches sauces. The meat shreds easily once tenderized.

Creative Ways to Put Beef Neck Bones to Delicious Use

Once cooked until melt-in-your-mouth soft, get creative with how you use beef neck bones:

  • Fold into burritos, tacos, enchiladas, or tamales
  • Toss with noodles or creamy polenta
  • Layer in lasagna for extra richness
  • Mix into hash or eggs for a protein boost
  • Float in hearty soups, stews, and chilis

The possibilities are endless for preparing these economical bones in mouthwatering ways.

Surprising Nutritional Benefits of Uncommon Beef Neck Bones

In addition to their deep, meaty flavor, beef neck bones provide an array of nutrients:

  • Protein – Excellent source with over 15g per 3oz serving to support muscles.

  • Iron – Provides about 15% of your daily iron needs for healthy blood.

  • Zinc – Zinc strengthens the immune system and wound healing.

  • Collagen – Breaks down into gelatin during cooking to benefit joints.

So don’t judge neck bones by their name alone – they deliver outstanding nutritional value.

Storing Beef Neck Bones for Safety and Freshness

Because they are bony and collagen-rich, beef neck bones are highly perishable. Follow these storage tips:

  • Refrigerate raw neck bones for just 2-3 days before cooking.

  • Freeze if storing longer than 2 days – use within 4 months for best quality.

  • Cook within 1-2 days of thawing frozen neck bones.

  • Keep cooked neck bones refrigerated for 3-4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Proper handling prevents spoilage and food safety issues.

Satisfying Your Curiosity About Obscure Beef Neck Bones

  • Sourced from the cervical vertebrae of cows, near the ribs and chuck.

  • Composed of bones, meat, fat, cartilage and collagenous tissue.

  • Braise, stew or simmer for 2-3 hours to become fork tender.

  • Adds rich flavor and body to soups, stews, chilis, and tacos when shredded.

  • Provides protein, iron, zinc and collagen.

  • Chill promptly and cook within 2-3 days for food safety.

Now that your neck bone curiosity is sated, don’t let these underrated cuts go to waste! Ask your butcher for high-quality beef neck bones for your next broth, braise, or stew. You’ll be rewarded with deep flavor and satisfying chew. Just be sure to cook low and slow – a bit of patience yields fall-apart tender rewards!

what animal does beef neck bones come from

What to serve with this Southern Neck Bone Recipe

  • Use a slow cooker. Slow-cooking this recipe will save you time and effort because you won’t have to do anything.
  • Mix up the spices. You can use any mix of bay leaves, cayenne, smoked paprika, chili flakes, Italian seasoning, Creole seasoning, oregano, oregano, oregano, oregano, oregano, oregano, oregano, oregano, oregano
  • Swap out the meat. Don’t have pork neck bones? Use beef, turkey, or chicken bones instead! Remember that the cooking times will change depending on the type and size of meat you use.
  • Add some spice. Add fresh jalapeños, habaneros, or Scotch bonnet peppers to the roasting neck bones to make them hotter.

Why You’ll Love This Neck Bones Recipe

  • Deeply Flavorful: The seasoned salt, paprika, and sage mix makes sure that every bite is rich and savory.
  • Results that are very tender: When you slow cook in the oven, the neck bones get very tender and the meat just pulls off the bone.
  • Homemade Gravy: Our gravy, which has chicken bouillon and a hint of onion in it, takes the dish to a higher level and goes perfectly with the neck bones.
  • You can serve these neck bones with a lot of different sides, like mashed potatoes, greens, or cornbread.
  • Hearty and satisfying, this meal makes you feel full, warms you up, and makes you happy, just like home-cooked comfort food.

My Secret Recipe For Neck Bones & Gravy Revealed! – I Heart Recipes

FAQ

What animal do neckbones come from?

Neck bones (or neckbones) are exactly what they sound like — the neck portion of whichever animal they come from. Common options include pork, turkey, or beef, but pork is a top choice for Southern-style cooking.

Are beef neck bones good to eat?

Once braised, the taste and texture of the meat that comes from neck bones is similar to oxtail, short ribs, or a shank. Like their pork brethren, beef neck bones are also quite affordable—I’ve found them for $3 to $4 per pound at my local grocery store, which is a steal when compared to the cost of comparable cuts.

Are beef neck bones ok for dogs?

Friend, the concern with feeding dogs bones is that they can become obstructed or perforate the gastrointestinal tract for this reason we recommend not to feed dogs bones. I would not recommend you feed your dog cooked beef neck bones. Try something like bully sticks that are digestible.

What is neck meat of a cow?

The most common cuts from the neck are neck steaks, medallion steaks, neck roasts, soup bones, and ground beef. This part of the beef is tough and not so tender. The cow uses its neck to hold its big head up and for constant motions while eating and moving, so the muscles in this area are well-worked and tough.

What are neck bones?

Turkey neck, Beef Necks, and Pork Necks. Usually when you hear a southerner, or a person that was brought up in a soul food household, talk about neck bones, they’re referring to pork neck bones. Neck bones are pretty easy to find, and they are almost always in the pork section at your local grocery store.

Do all mammals have neck bones?

Neck bones are, unsurprisingly, from the neck, so all of the mammals we eat have them. Pork is the most touted and eaten, but beef neck bones aren’t far behind.

What kind of neck bones do you eat?

Pork is the most touted and eaten, but beef neck bones aren’t far behind. Outside of that, lamb, turkey, and chicken neck bones are all used to make broths and their own meals, but we’ll be focusing today on pork and beef neck bones since they are the most popular. What do neck bones taste like?

What are the different types of neck bones?

Contrary to belief, there are different types of neck bones. Turkey neck, Beef Necks, and Pork Necks. Usually when you hear a southerner, or a person that was brought up in a soul food household, talk about neck bones, they’re referring to pork neck bones.

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