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Fall-Off-the-Bone Flavor: Soulful Braised Pork Neck Bones You’ll Crave Again and Again
These briney slow-braised pork neck bones ain't just meat—they’re a a whole mood stewed down low and slow ‘til they fall apart. We are takin’ humble neck bones and transforming ‘em into somethin’ rich, tender, and unapologetically bold, thanks to a melt-in-your-mouth braise in the oven. Give it a few hours and let the process work its magic—there is nothing bland about this dish. Full Video and Photo Guidance Provided.
I like my neck bones a lil on the briney side to break through the richness that deep in those pork bones. Neck bones are slept on as far as cuts of meats go. I'm partial to wine braised Southern beef neck bones, but creole smothered turkey necks with gravy are some of my most popular recipes.
Beats and Eats (music to pair with pork neck bones)
Cameo’s “Skin I’m In” grooves low and slow, just like these pork neck bones—braised and built with depth. The funk in the horns mirrors the tang and richness from the briny and smoky braising liquid, while each bassline drop hits like tender meat slipping off the bone, deep in flavor and unapologetically soulful.
This dish ain’t just about eatin’—it’s about knowin’ who you are and where you come from, ‘cause like that song says, “I got to deal with the skin I’m in."
Marwin's Flavor-philes and Liner Notes
Each ingredient in this recipe was chosen with intention—each one pulling its weight to build a layered, flavor-forward profile that’s bold, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Here’s the breakdown from your favorite flavor nerd’s POV:
- Cider Vinegar: I chose it to add a mellow acidity to both brighten up and cut through the rich pork. From a flavor balance standpoint, pork neck bones are fatty and deeply savory, and the vinegar adds a high note that cleanses the palate between bites.
- Chicken Stock: You need a deeply savory foundation and chicken stock fits the bill. I prefer it over beef stock or water to add warmth without overpowering the pork flavor. It keeps the braise grounded and juicy, coaxing out every bit of umami flavor from the meat as it breaks down over hours of slow cooking.
- Pickled Jalapeños: These aren’t here for heat—they bring acid, salt, and attitude. Their brine introduces a nice contrast to the braise, matching the vinegar’s brightness while adding complexity. There is a hint of heat but it’s not overwhelming, and from a textural standpoint, they melt down into little flavor bombs that pop in the final gravy.
- Chipotle in Adobo Sauce: I wanted a bit more depth. Chipotle flavor adds that smoky, earthy, just a little sweet, and full of slow-burn warmth that mirrors that low-and-slow braise, adding a soulful backbone to the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Southern style neck bones mean there is likely some rich ooh la la comforting gravy involved. Tender pork neck bones with gravy over some plain white rice or creamy mashed potatoes would make for a full meal. A true Southern meal will also include some cornbread. For me that's my Grandmother's recipe for hot water cornbread.
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Ingredients
- 4 lbs Pork Neck bones
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Cider vinegar
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup water
- 1 Yellow Onion chopped
- 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 4 garlic cloves diced
- ½ cup pickled vegetables jalapeño peppers, okra or cactus plus brine
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 2 bay leaves
- 7 oz chipotle peppers plus sauce
Instructions
- Clean the neck bones by rinsing them with water
- Season the neck bones with salt and pepper.
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat a dutch oven pot on medium heat. Add oil once pan is hot then brown the neck bones on all sides. Remove neck bones and set aside.
- Add onions, garlic, and carrots and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add half the spices (salt, pepper, paprika)
- Add stock, cider vinegar, water, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, pickled vegetables (plus a ¼ cup of the brine), the chipotle peppers with sauce, and the remaining spices. Mix well.
- Add the neck bones back to the pot. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer and cover. Place in the oven and cook for 1 ½ hours.
Video
Notes
- I like my neck bones briny, so I added brine from the pickled vegetables
- For the pickled vegetables, I used a combination of pickled okra, pickled jalapeños, and pickled cactus since I had them all on hand. Pickling is easy, but all these are available in most mainstream grocery stores. I found all three in the pickle aisle at my local store. Choose just one or all three it’s up to you.
- Use your judgment on the chipotles. I only used half the can, but included all of the sauce. Don’t worry this dish is not spicy despite the chipotle peppers. The dish is balanced in flavor and the chipotle adds more smokiness than fire.
- Make sure you have a heavy lid. If not place a sheet of parchment paper over the pot before adding the lid.
- The rendered sauce makes a nice gravy. Make a slurry of starch (water + corn starch mixed in a bowl). Remove the neck bones then add the slurry to the pot and cook down into a thick gravy to serve with rice.
Leah
Tuesday 18th of March 2025
This looks amazing! I have some neckbones on hand and was about to cook them, so glad I did a search to find some inspiration. I will be doing my best to follow this recipe (might have to improvise a few things)....brb with my updated review!
Marwin Brown
Tuesday 18th of March 2025
Good stuff! Definitely let me know how it turns out.
Carmen Pereira Pucilowski
Thursday 27th of February 2025
Wow!!! This recipe was amazing โฆ licked my fingers and sucked on the bones!! Iโll make it again, tho I didnโt follow it EXACTLY!!
Marwin Brown
Sunday 2nd of March 2025
Glad you liked it!
Karen
Wednesday 1st of January 2025
I followed the recipe exactly....way too much salt
Marwin Brown
Thursday 2nd of January 2025
Thanks - there is a typo in the recipe card. Both paprika and slat should be 1 tsp instead of tablespoon. Sorry about that, but thanks for trying the recipe.
Kathy Reese
Sunday 26th of November 2023
You forgot to say to return the neck bones with the boiling broth, and you said use HALF the spices. When do I add the second half? plus you never say when to add the 1/ c cider vinegar. I'm a Chef so I figured it out, but for other cooks, you might want to check the instructions. By the way, these were delicious!
Marwin Brown
Saturday 9th of December 2023
Thanks for the feedback and also glad the recipe worked out for you!
Sheila Bennett
Thursday 16th of September 2021
I haven't cooked or served pork neckbones in over 30-40 years.I left it up to my sisters that carried the pork traditions like chitterlings, etc. I could always get a taste out of the big pots they cooked. I stopped eating a lot of it like the tails,maws,feet,nose, etc. after realizing where it came from. After my adult children started to remind me if some family favs I decided to make them some neckbones. I looked at various recipes. I didn't feel like the crackpot so I got my big black Dutch oven & used a compulation of recipes. I didn't make mine totally like yours. However the washing & cleaning instructions was worth gold! I hate that pig taste & the cleaning solved that. Its like taking the poop out the chitterlings! I didn't realize all the cartilage, fat & blood. I soaked them in vinegar water while I thoroughly cleaned them. Put a mean slice marinade over night, seared them, cooked onions & Bellpepper to transparency added beef stock & Braised them in the oven added gravy mix to make there own gravy, added diced potatoes last 40min. They take almost like beef!! So dang good!!!
Marwin Brown
Thursday 16th of September 2021
Agreed on the cleaning! It's a game-changer. I love your approach, especially the gravy add!