Ella Walter
Fresh neckbones can be cooked in a crock pot with a variety of ingredients to make a delicious and tender meal. The process involves slow cooking the neck bones with vegetables, spices, and broth, resulting in a flavourful dish that can be served with sides such as rice, potatoes, and cornbread. The cooking time varies depending on the desired tenderness, ranging from 3 to 8 hours. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or freezer for future meals, making it a convenient option for those who enjoy soul food or a hearty home-cooked meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Soul food |
| Main ingredients | Neck bones |
| Other ingredients | Broth, water, thyme, salt, onion, bell pepper, paprika, Cajun seasoning, chicken bouillon, chilli beans, rice, cornbread, potatoes, green beans, carrots, beef neck bones, black beans, pinto beans, beef broth |
| Crockpot cooking time | 3-8 hours |
| Storing | Refrigerate tightly covered for 3-4 days, freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Neck bones and potatoes
First, place the neck bones in a large pot or Dutch oven. If you're using pork neck bones, you can add chopped bell pepper and onion. Season with Soul Food seasoning, chicken bouillon, smoked paprika, and Cajun seasoning. For beef neck bones, you can add black beans and pinto beans. Then, pour in enough liquid to cover the neck bones—this can be broth (chicken, pork, vegetable, or beef), or simply water. You can also add a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low.
Now, transfer everything into your Crock Pot and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the neck bones are tender and fall off the bone. If your Crock Pot is large enough, you can skip the pot and do all the cooking in there—just set it to low and let it cook for 7-8 hours.
For a true Southern experience, serve your neck bones and potatoes with buttered rice, greens, and cornbread. You can also try sides of collard greens, turnip greens, or butter beans mixed with okra.
Leftover neck bones can be stored in the fridge, covered, for 3-4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Seasoning and spices
For a more complex flavour profile, you can experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs. For example, you can try adding some Cajun seasoning, which typically includes a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and oregano. This will give the dish a nice spicy kick with a hint of warmth from the oregano.
If you're looking for a more herbal flavour, you can try adding some thyme to the dish. Thyme has a slightly woody and earthy flavour that can complement the richness of the neckbones. You can also try using rosemary, which has a similar flavour profile to thyme but with a more pungent and piney aroma.
In addition to spices and herbs, you can also add some aromatics to the dish. Chopped onions and bell peppers are a great way to add depth of flavour to the dish. You can also experiment with different types of peppers, such as green bell peppers or chilli peppers, depending on your preferred level of spice.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of broth or liquid to cook the neckbones in. While water is a simple and neutral option, you can add more flavour by using chicken, pork, or vegetable broth. You can even use wine instead of broth for a more robust and acidic flavour profile.
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Cooking time and temperature
When cooking fresh neck bones in a crock pot, it is important to ensure they are cooked thoroughly and are tender. The cooking time will depend on the temperature setting you choose.
For a cooking time of 3-4 hours, set your crock pot to high. This is a good option if you are short on time but still want to achieve tender neck bones. The high temperature will ensure the meat is cooked through and will fall off the bone.
For a longer, slower cook, set your crock pot to low and leave the neck bones to cook for 6-8 hours. This is a good option if you want to prepare a meal in advance and have it ready for later in the day. The low temperature will ensure the meat is cooked gently and will result in tender, juicy neck bones.
It is important to ensure the crock pot does not boil dry, so check the liquid level periodically and add more broth or water if needed. The liquid should cover the neck bones. You can also add spices and herbs to taste, such as thyme and smoked paprika, to enhance the flavour of the dish.
Once the neck bones are cooked, you can serve them with a variety of sides, such as rice, greens, cornbread, potatoes, or beans.
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Storage and reheating
Once you've cooked your neckbones in the crock pot, let them cool to room temperature. Transfer the neckbones to an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They will last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. If you wish to store them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 to 3 months.
To reheat the neckbones, first defrost them overnight in the fridge if they were frozen. Then, transfer the portion you will be eating to a casserole dish and cover it with foil. You can reheat the neckbones in the oven or on the stove until they are heated through.
It's important to note that the cooking time for neckbones can vary depending on your preferred level of tenderness. For fall-off-the-bone neckbones, cook them on low for 7 to 8 hours in the crock pot or for 3 to 4 hours on high. You can also cook them on the stove for 3 to 4 hours, adjusting the heat to medium-low and simmering until they are tender.
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Side dishes
When it comes to side dishes that go well with crockpot neckbones, here are some options to consider:
Rice
Rice is a staple side dish that can be paired with neckbones. You can serve it plain or with a dash of butter, as suggested by some home cooks. It provides a neutral base to complement the rich flavours of the neckbones.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a versatile side dish and can be prepared in various ways, such as mashed, roasted, or boiled. When served with neckbones, they offer a hearty and comforting combination.
Cornbread
Cornbread is a traditional Southern side dish that pairs well with neckbones. It adds a crunchy texture and a subtle sweetness to the meal. You can also experiment with cornbread muffins for a unique presentation.
Green Beans
Green beans are a healthy and vibrant side dish option. They can be steamed, boiled, or stir-fried with garlic and spices to enhance their flavour. Green beans provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the neckbones.
Butter Beans
Butter beans, also known as lima beans, make a delicious and creamy side dish. They can be cooked with spices and herbs to add flavour and are an excellent source of plant-based protein.
Southern Mac and Cheese
For an indulgent and comforting side dish, Southern mac and cheese is a perfect choice. It's a classic combination of creamy cheese sauce and elbow macaroni, often baked to golden perfection.
Additionally, you can explore other Southern-style side dishes like collard greens, okra, candied sweet potatoes, or even a simple green salad to balance out the meal.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook the neckbones for 3-4 hours on High or 7-8 hours on Low.
You will need neck bones, thyme, salt, onion, broth (chicken, pork, vegetable or simply water), and seasoning.
You can use pork or beef neck bones.
You can store them in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Neck bones go well with rice, potatoes, cornbread, greens, beans, and turnip greens.
