Where to Buy Beef Bone Marrow – A Complete Guide

Beef bone marrow has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its nutritional benefits and culinary uses. If you want to cook dishes featuring bone marrow or make homemade bone broth you’ll need to get your hands on some quality beef marrow bones. This guide will explain where you can find and purchase beef marrow bones from a variety of sources.

What is Bone Marrow?

Bone marrow refers to the soft, fatty tissue found inside bones. It is made up of marrow cells as well as blood vessels and fibrous tissue. In beef bones, the marrow has a gelatinous texture and is highly nutritious. Beef marrow is rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It provides a number of health benefits including boosting immunity, improving heart health, and aiding digestion. Bone marrow also adds rich, meaty flavor to dishes and helps make bone broths gelatinous.

Where to Buy Beef Marrow Bones

There are several places you can purchase beef marrow bones both online and in person. Here are some of the best options to find high-quality beef marrow bones:

Butcher Shops or Meat Markets

One of the best places to find beef marrow bones is at your local butcher shop or meat market. Many butchers stock marrow bones or will be able to specially order them for you. The advantage of buying from a butcher is you can inspect the bones and request ones with high marrow content. Butchers may also cut the bones to size for you. Look for grass-fed beef marrow bones for optimum quality and nutrition.

Supermarkets

Some well-stocked supermarkets will carry beef marrow bones often in the meat department near other beef cuts. Availability may depend on where you live, but stores like Whole Foods and regional chains like Wegmans have good selections of marrow bones. Supermarkets usually sell bones still in the cryovac packaging so you can’t inspect them beforehand. Make sure to check the weight and look for organic pasture-raised sources when possible.

Online Stores

Several online stores sell beef marrow bones that can be shipped directly to your home. Two good options are US Wellness Meats and Butcher Box, which both offer 100% grass-fed bones. Other sites like Walmart Grocery and Amazon Fresh allow you to order marrow bones online for convenient home delivery. Online shopping lets you buy bones in bulk for the best value. Just be aware of shipping costs and delivery timeframes.

Costco

For bulk buying, Costco is a top source for beef marrow bones. Their business centers sell 4lb bags of marrow bones from cattle that are fed an all-natural diet. The center cut bones are great for extracting the marrow. Costco provides free delivery for local business orders over $250 or nationwide shipping is available.

Farmers Markets

Ask any meat vendors at your local farmers market if they sell marrow bones from grass-fed cattle. Buying directly from a farmer gives you the freshest options. Though availability varies seasonally, farmers markets are great for finding ethically raised, organic marrow bones often at good prices. Chat with farmers to learn about their practices.

Online Direct from Farms

You may be able to order beef marrow bones directly from small farms and ranches in your area. Search for “grass-fed beef farm (your state)” and look for farms with online ordering and delivery options. This ensures you get the freshest, highest-quality marrow from pasture-raised cattle. Though more expensive, many foodies seek out marrow bones straight from small farms.

Ethnic Grocery Stores

If you have ethnic grocers in your area, check their meat sections for marrow bones. Mexican markets, halal butchers, and Asian supermarkets often carry whole marrow bones at cheap prices. You can find knuckle, femur, and other marrow-rich bones from grass-fed cows. The bones may not be cut for easy marrow extraction but provide lots of material for making bone broth.

What to Look for When Buying Marrow Bones

• Pasture-raised, grass-fed source – This ensures healthier cattle and nutritionally superior marrow.

• Organic and non-GMO – Look for bones from cattle raised without hormones, antibiotics or pesticides.

• Freshness – Marrow bones should look moist with hard outer bone. Avoid any with dried out or discolored marrow.

• Cut – Bones that are cut lengthwise make the marrow easier to remove for cooking. End cuts expose more marrow.

• Size – Larger femur and knuckle bones have the most marrow. Smaller bones may be better for roasting.

• Weight – Heavier bones contain more marrow per pound compared to lighter ones.

• Price – Factoring in cut, size, and source, expect to pay $3-6 per pound. Larger quantities are cheaper per pound.

How Much Marrow Bone to Buy

How much bone marrow you need depends on your intended use. In general:

• For bone broth – buy 2-3 pounds of bones per batch

• For recipes – buy 1-2 pounds for roasting, sautéing, etc.

• For regular cooking – buy 3-5 pounds at a time for steady use

• For large batches or storage – buy 10+ pounds of bones at once

Start small if you’re new to cooking with marrow bones. You can always buy more, but you don’t want bones to go to waste.

How to Store Beef Marrow Bones

Raw beef marrow bones can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer:

• Refrigerator – Keep fresh bones chilled at 40°F or below for use within 3-5 days. Place in a container to prevent odor transfer.

• Freezer – For longer storage, freeze bones for 8-12 months. Wrap well in plastic then foil or place in airtight bags.

• Thawing – Move frozen bones to the fridge 1-2 days before needed. Do not thaw at room temperature.

• Cooked marrow – Refrigerate extracted roasted marrow for 2-3 days or freeze for 1-2 months.

Proper storage keeps marrow bones fresh and retained their nutritional content.

Popular Ways to Use Beef Marrow Bones

There are many delicious ways to use the culinary magic of beef marrow bones:

• Make bone broth – Simmer bones for 18-24 hours to extract collagen and minerals.

• Roast and eat the bone marrow – Often served on toast.

• Make marrow butter – Whip roasted marrow into flavorful compound butter.

• Use as a burger topping – Spread on burger patties before cooking.

• Make marrow pasta sauce – Simmer roasted marrow into meaty pasta sauces.

• Use in place of fat for cooking – Excellent for sautéing veggies, eggs, roasts, etc.

With their concentrated beefy flavors, marrow bones can transform all types of savory dishes.

Beef bone marrow provides unique health benefits and adds delicious depth of flavor when cooking. With so many sources available, it’s easy to find high-quality marrow bones for your culinary creations. Butcher shops, online stores, big box stores, and direct from farms offer great places to buy beef marrow bones. Look for pasture-raised, grass-fed sources for the best quality. Buy fresh marrow bones in sizes and quantities to suit your cooking needs. Follow proper storage and use beef marrow bones to take dishes to the next level!