Country Style Comfort: Baked Neckbones Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Photo byangie bright

Country Baked Neckbones: A Taste of Traditional Comfort

If you're craving a meal that brings both flavor and nostalgia to the table, look no further than Country Baked Neckbones. This dish is all about hearty, home-style cooking, giving you a taste of comforting country flavors. Baked neckbones are an often-overlooked treasure, known for their deep, rich flavor that’s intensified through slow cooking.

Imagine tender meat, perfectly seasoned and so tender it falls right off the bone, bathed in a rich, savory gravy. It’s the kind of dish that brings families together, evoking memories of slow-cooked Sunday dinners in cozy kitchens. Whether you’re preparing for a big family meal or simply looking to enjoy some down-home cooking, this baked neckbones recipe will deliver.

The Perfect Blend of Seasonings and Technique

Country Baked Neckbones are an affordable yet flavorful cut of pork. This recipe blends a combination of seasoned salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and a touch of sage to create a seasoning mix that seeps into the meat as it bakes. The real secret lies in searing the neckbones before baking, locking in flavor and ensuring a crisp exterior.

To keep the meat juicy and tender, the neckbones are baked low and slow, with onions adding sweetness and depth to the dish. A rich, homemade broth is poured over the neckbones midway through cooking, made with chicken bouillon and thickened with flour. This transforms into a silky, savory gravy that clings to the neckbones and brings all the flavors together.

Recipe: Country Baked Neckbones

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp seasoned salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp sage
• 4 tbsp bacon fat or vegetable oil
• 3-4 lbs neckbones
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder or 2 large chicken bouillon cubes (for every 2 cups of water)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for 2 cups of broth)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Rinse the neckbones thoroughly under cold water to clean.
2. Season the neckbones generously. In a small bowl, mix together seasoned salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and sage. Rub this seasoning mixture all over the neckbones, ensuring they are evenly coated.
3. Brown the neckbones. Heat the bacon fat or vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the neckbones on all sides, about 5-6 minutes per batch, until a nice crust forms. Once browned, drain off any excess fat and transfer the neckbones to a large casserole dish.
4. Add onions and bake. Spread sliced onions over the top of the neckbones, cover the casserole dish tightly with foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
5. Prepare the gravy. While the neckbones are baking, prepare the broth. In a pot, heat 2 cups of lukewarm water. Whisk in chicken bouillon powder (or bouillon cubes) and slowly add the flour in increments, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes until it thickens into a smooth gravy. If the gravy is too thick, add a little more water to achieve the desired consistency.
6. Finish baking. After the first hour of baking, remove the neckbones from the oven. Pour the prepared broth and gravy mixture over the neckbones, covering them completely. Re-cover the dish with foil and return to the oven for another hour, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bones.

Enjoy the Comfort of a Classic Dish

Once your Country Baked Neckbones are done, you’ll be left with a rich, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve these tender neckbones with mashed potatoes, cornbread, or over a bed of rice to soak up all the delicious gravy. The flavor-packed meat, combined with the savory gravy and sweet onions, creates a meal that’s both hearty and comforting.

This dish is a celebration of traditional country cooking, bringing simple ingredients together in a way that warms both the heart and the stomach. Whether you’re serving it for a special family dinner or enjoying it as a weeknight comfort food, these baked neckbones are sure to be a hit.

Sources:

• Food.com
• AllRecipes
• Taste of Home