Southern-style pork neck bones, a dish that combines simple ingredients with time-honored cooking techniques to create a flavorful and satisfying meal. In this article, I’ll take you through a step-by-step how to cook pork neck bones perfectly
1. How To Cook Pork Neck Bones
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds of pork neck bones
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups of chicken or beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
Step 1: Wash the Pork Neck Bones
Begin by rinsing the pork neck bones under cold running water. Use your hands or a brush to gently scrub any surface debris or bone fragments.
Step 2: Season the Pork Neck Bones
Season the neck bones generously with salt, black pepper, and the smoked paprika. Ensure that the seasoning is evenly distributed, coating each piece of meat.
Step 3: Sear the Pork Neck Bones
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned pork neck bones and sear them until they turn golden brown on all sides. This step is crucial for building flavor.
Step 4: Sauté the Aromatics
To the pot with the seared neck bones, the chopped onion, minced garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables until they become tender and aromatic, usually for about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5: Add Liquid & Seasonings
Pour in the chicken or beef broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
Add the diced tomatoes, dried thyme, dried oregano, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
If you desire extra heat, you can add hot sauce to taste at this step.
Step 6: Simmer & Cook
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the pork neck bones to cook for 2-2.5 hours or until the meat becomes tender and starts to pull away from the bones.
Remember to stir occasionally and check the liquid level. If it reduces too much, you can add a bit more broth or water to maintain the desired consistency.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy
Once the Southern-style pork neck bones are tender and flavorful, remove the bay leaf and discard it. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or hot sauce if needed.
Serve the succulent pork neck bones over a bed of cooked rice, allowing the flavorful broth to soak into the grains. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions for a burst of color and freshness.
With the instructions outlined in this article, I hope that, you can turn these pork neck bones into a delicious and satisfying meal at home.
