How to Use Beef Soup Bones to Make Nutritious and Flavorful Meals

Beef soup bones are an underutilized and highly nutritious cut of meat that can add tremendous flavor and nutrients to soups, stews, broths, and more. However, many home cooks are unsure how to make the most of these bony cuts. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to use beef soup bones successfully in your cooking.

What Exactly Are Beef Soup Bones?

Beef soup bones are cuts of beef that come from the leg shanks or upper leg of the cow. They consist of a large round or oval shaped section of bone (typically 4-6 inches across and 1 inch deep) surrounded by meat. The bones contain marrow inside, which is the key to their intense flavor.

Common names for this cut include beef marrow bones, beef shank, or osso buco. Don’t confuse regular bones for soup bones – you want to look for the ones with lots of meat still attached.

Benefits of Cooking with Beef Soup Bones

There are several excellent reasons to cook with beef soup bones

• Incredible flavor – The marrow and collagen in beef soup bones infuse recipes with rich meaty flavor.

• Nutrient density – Bone marrow contains nutrients like vitamin A, B vitamins vitamin K2 iron, zinc, selenium, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. The bones provide calcium and other minerals.

• Bone broth – Simmered into broth, beef soup bones make a mineral rich, immune boosting broth full of collagen.

• Gelatin – Collagen from the bones and connective tissue transforms into gelatin, giving body, texture and nutrients to dishes.

• Cost effective – Soup bones cost just a fraction of other cuts of beef.

Where to Buy Beef Soup Bones

You can often find beef soup bones at:

• Butcher shops or meat markets
• Some grocery stores, often frozen
• Directly from a local farm

Ask your butcher for osso buco cuts or beef shank if you don’t see soup bones. Expect to pay $3-10 per pound.

When buying, look for bones with a good amount of meat still attached. Bones with a bare minimum of meat can still be used, but bones with more meat will provide more collagen.

How to Cook Beef Soup Bones

Cooking brings out the best in tough but flavorful soup bones. Here are some top cooking methods:

For Bone Broth

Simmering the bones makes a nourishing broth full of minerals and collagen.

Ingredients:

• Beef soup bones
• Aromatic veggies like onion, celery, carrot
• Herbs like parsley, thyme, bay leaf
• Water

Method:

1. Roast bones at 400°F for 30 minutes to intensify flavor.

2. Place bones and aromatics in a pot and cover with water.

3. Simmer gently for 3-6 hours. Avoid boiling.

4. Strain out solids and chill broth.

For Soups and Stews

Braise the bones low and slow until tender.

Ingredients:

• Beef soup bones
• Diced aromatics like onion, carrots, celery
• Stock or water
• Herbs and seasonings

Method:

1. Brown bones well to enhance flavor.

2. Simmer bones in stock and diced veggies for 2-3 hours until meat is very tender.

3. Remove bones, shred meat, and add back to soup or stew.

Whole Braised (Osso Buco Style)

Braise the bones whole until fork tender and serve them with the braising liquid.

Ingredients:

• Whole beef soup bones
• Veggies like onion, celery, carrot
• Stock or wine braising liquid
• Herbs and seasonings

Method:

1. Sear bones on all sides.

2. Braise in stock or wine sauce for 2-3 hours until very tender.

3. Serve bones topped with braising sauce and vegetables.

No matter which cooking method you choose, beef soup bones benefit from low and slow wet cooking to break down connective tissues. Aim for at least 2-3 hours of braising time. The resulting bone-in meat will be succulent and juicy.

Beef Soup Bone Recipe Inspiration

Here are some delicious recipes that put beef soup bones to excellent use:

• Beef Bone Broth – Simmer bones into an immune boosting, collagen-rich broth.

• Beef & Barley Soup – Braise soup bones with veggies then use in hearty soup.

• Vietnamese Pho – The classic noodle soup featuring beef shank.

• Osso Buco – A classic Italian veal shank dish adaptable to beef.

• Pot Roast – Braise soup bones for ultra tender shredded beef.

• Beef Vegetable Stew – Build a stew around braised beef soup bones.

Don’t limit yourself to just soups! Use shredded beef from cooked bones in dishes like tacos, nachos, enchiladas, sandwiches, and more. Freeze leftover pre-cooked beef pieces for quick meals.

Tips for Success When Cooking with Beef Soup Bones

• Choose bones with meat – Bones with more meat will provide more flavor and collagen. Meatless bones can be used but may result in lesser tasting broth.

• Roast first – Roasting before simmering deepens the flavor tremendously.

• Simmer, don’t boil – Gentle simmering extracts the most nutrients and collagen. Rapid boiling can make cloudy broth.

• Skim fat – For clear broth, periodically skim off fat and scum that rises to the top.

• Blend it up – For smooth textured soups or stews, blend braised bone meat and veggies before serving.

Make the Most of Overlooked Beef Soup Bones

Beef soup bones are often overlooked cuts of meat, but their incredible flavor and nutrition should not be underestimated. With the proper low and slow cooking techniques, these bony cuts transform into tender, mouthwatering meat for soups, stews, and beyond. So give beef soup bones a try to add rich, beefy flavor and nourishing collagen to your diet. Your tastebuds and health will thank you.