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A lot of high-end restaurants serve roasted bone marrow, but it usually costs a lot. This is a dish that can be quite intimidating to order – especially if it’s your first time.
But bone marrow is actually super cheap, accessible and easy to make at home. Plus, if you cook it right, it can be a tasty way to add some extra nutrients to your diet.
Bone marrow is very tasty and goes well with steak, but you probably won’t want to eat it every day. If you like good food and are interested in trying this dish, whether at a restaurant or at home, keep reading. We’ll take the mystery out of bone marrow.
Bone marrow is an incredibly nutritious and flavorful part of the animal that has been cherished for centuries. Pork bone marrow in particular offers a rich, savory taste and substantial health benefits when consumed. However, many home cooks wonder – can you eat pork bone marrow safely?
The short answer is yes! Pork bone marrow is completely edible and safe to eat when sourced and prepared properly. It contains a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and compounds that boost immunity, heart health, skin elasticity and more. With a few handy tips, you can safely unlock the culinary potential of this superfood meat.
What is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow refers to the soft fatty tissue that fills the inner cavity of bones. It is found in large bones like the femur and humerus. Bone marrow contains special stem cells that produce new red and white blood cells.
There are two main types of bone marrow
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Red marrow – This marrow is responsible for producing blood cells It is found mainly in flat bones like the sternum and hip bones
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Yellow marrow – This marrow stores energy fats. It is found more in the long bones of the arms and legs.
Pork bones like the femur contain both red and yellow bone marrow. The femur has the highest concentration of nutritious marrow.
Is Eating Pork Bone Marrow Safe?
Yes, pork bone marrow is totally safe to eat when properly sourced and cooked. It provides a mega dose of essential vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins that boost your overall health. Here are some of the key benefits of adding pork bone marrow to your diet:
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High in vitamin B12 – Just one tablespoon of pork marrow contains over 140% of your daily needs for vitamin B12. This nutrient is vital for nerve function, energy and red blood cell formation.
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Anti-inflammatory effects – Substances like glycine and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in marrow can lower inflammation. This may protect against arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and other inflammatory conditions.
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Supports skin health – Pork marrow is high in collagen, vitamin A and vitamin K2 – nutrients that improve skin hydration and elasticity while reducing wrinkles.
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Aids digestion – The glutamine in bone marrow helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining. This can relieve leaky gut syndrome.
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Boosts bone density – Pork marrow provides calcium, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin K2 to increase bone mineralization as you age.
When incorporated as part of a balanced diet, pork bone marrow offers some awesome health perks, while satisfying your taste buds.
Nutrition Profile of Pork Bone Marrow
A 1 tablespoon serving of pork bone marrow provides:
- Calories: 110
- Total fat: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin B12: 140% DV
- Vitamin A: 1% DV
- Vitamin K2
- Iron, zinc, selenium
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Pork marrow contains mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It is high in calories, so enjoy in moderation.
How to Cook Pork Bone Marrow
There are endless creative ways to prepare and eat pork bone marrow. Here are some simple tips:
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Roast marrow bones – Place split femur or knuckle bones upright on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F until the marrow is softened, about 20 minutes. Scoop it out and enjoy!
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Simmer into bone broth – Gently cook pork bones like femurs, ribs and knuckles to extract the marrow. This infuses nutrients into the broth.
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Spread on bread – Roast marrow bones, then spread the interior marrow on crusty bread. Top it with parsley, shallots or gremolata.
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Mix into ground meat – Blend rendered marrow into ground beef or pork for added moisture and richness in burgers or meatballs.
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Stir into risotto – Whisk soft marrow into the rice when making risotto for a creamy, savory finish.
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Flavor sauces and gravies – Whip marrow into pan sauces, gravies and reductions just before serving for extra luxuriousness.
With a little creativity, pork bone marrow can elevate both sweet and savory dishes!
Tips for Safe Preparation of Pork Marrow
To safely enjoy the benefits of pork bone marrow:
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Source pasture-raised pork bones from reputable butchers whenever possible. Ask for femur or knuckle bones split lengthwise for easy roasting and marrow removal.
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Roast or braise marrow bones until the interior reaches at least 145°F. The marrow should be completely melted and softened.
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Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw marrow bones. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
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Refrigerate cooked bone marrow within 1 hour and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness and food safety.
Following basic food prep guidelines will allow you to cook pork bone marrow while minimizing the risks.
Incorporating Bone Marrow into Your Diet
Here are a few simple yet delicious recipe ideas for savoring pork bone marrow:
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Roasted marrow bones with parsley and shallot gremolata
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Bone marrow butter melted over grilled steak
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Simmered pork neck bones for bone broth soup
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Pork burgers with sautéed peppers and melted marrow
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Creamy bone marrow pasta carbonara
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Savory marrow and vegetable pot pies
With proper handling, pork bone marrow can be an amazing addition to your recipes. It takes dishes to the next level with its melt-in-your-mouth texture and savory, satisfying flavor.
Can You Eat Pork Bone Marrow?
The answer is a resounding yes! With its stellar nutritional profile and succulent taste, pork bone marrow can be a superfood addition to your diet when sourced and prepared properly. Roasting marrow bones unlock this often-overlooked part of the animal, allowing you to enjoy its health and flavor perks.
Follow safe handling tips to cook pork bone marrow while avoiding risks like bacteria. Get creative with preparation techniques and recipe pairings. Your tastebuds will rejoice at the rich, delicate flavor of pork bone marrow!
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What is bone marrow?
Bone marrow is the soft, fatty tissue found inside a bone. Sometimes it is served whole, but sometimes it is cut in half, and the marrow inside is eaten.
In many restaurants, bone marrow has become a popular starter dish in recent years. However, the dish has its roots in prehistoric times, when people would break open the bones of animals they hunted, like lions, and eat the marrow inside.
Bone marrow is loaded with good saturated fats, minerals and proteins like collagen. It can be eaten straight out of the bone, spread on bread or even used on tacos. The marrow bones can also be simmered with vegetables to make a nutritious bone broth.
The Perfect Way To Cook Bone Marrow
FAQ
What does pig bone marrow taste like?
Can humans eat pork bones?
Is eating bone marrow high in cholesterol?
Should you eat bone marrow?
So, there is still a lot to be learned, but like most things, if you eat bone marrow in moderation and buy meat from clean sources, it can be a good addition to your diet. And now for some specifics: Bone marrow has adiponectin, which is a hormone that helps break down fats.
Can one eat pork?
A cooked, medium pork cutlet or steak provides 239 calories, 34 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 4 grams saturated fat, 697 milligrams sodium, and 0 grams carbohydrate, if you eat only the lean part of the steak. Pork contains many of the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) found in beef and it is high in protein, but can be lower in fat than beef—depending on cut and preparation. Meat from any kind of mammal, including pork, can cause an allergic reaction (and some people who are allergic to mammalian meat also react to poultry).
Can you eat bone marrow from animals?
You can eat bone marrow from animals such as cows, lambs, buffalo, or caribou. Consuming bone marrow provides a diverse range of health benefits. Research indicates that it contains a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals compared to muscle meat.
Can you cook with bone marrow?
Tell your butcher you’re looking to cook with bone marrow and he or she should have some good recommendations. Otherwise, you can ask them for shank bones, neck bones, knucklebones, or oxtail. Broths and Soups