Beef marrow bones are a delicacy that is often overlooked. The boneless, fatty marrow inside beef bones has a rich, meaty flavor that is excellent spread on toast, added to sauces, or just enjoyed straight from the bone. While you may see marrow bones at high-end steakhouses, they are easy and inexpensive to make at home. Follow this simple guide to learn all about cooking beef marrow bones from start to finish.
What are Beef Marrow Bones?
Beef marrow bones are the long bones of cows, such as femurs or tibias. They contain a soft, fatty tissue called bone marrow in the central canals of the bones. There are two types of bone marrow:
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Red marrow: Found in smaller bones near the neck and trunk. Used to make blood cells. Not usually eaten.
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Yellow marrow: Found in the long bones of the legs and arms. High in fat cells and collagen. Used for cooking.
Yellow marrow has an ivory color and gelatinous, creamy texture when cooked. It has a mild beefy flavor that is rich and fatty. Roasting marrow bones gently melts the marrow, turning it soft, spreadable, and delicious.
Benefits of Bone Marrow
Bone marrow is highly nutritious and provides some great health benefits:
- Excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals like iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc
- Contains collagen which supports joint health and digestion
- Rich in monounsaturated fats and omega-3s which reduce inflammation
- Boosts immunity by increasing white blood cell production
- Improves skin, hair, and nail health
How to Choose Beef Marrow Bones
When selecting beef marrow bones for cooking, look for the following:
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Large size: Choose femur or tibia bones which contain the most marrow. Avoid small bones.
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Cut style: Bones can be cut “canoe” style lengthwise or cross-cut into rounds. Canoe cut is easier to scoop out marrow.
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Appearance: Bones should have minimal meat, tendons, or fat on them. Avoid bones with cracks or lots of blood.
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Smell: Bones should have a mild beefy smell. Pass on bones with an unpleasant or “off” odor.
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Weight: Look for bones that feel heavy for their size, indicating more marrow inside.
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Color: Raw marrow has a waxy off-white color. Avoid yellow or dry looking marrow.
For 4 servings, select 4 large canoe-cut bones or 8-12 cross-cut pieces. Ask your butcher counter for high-quality marrow bones.
How to Prepare Beef Marrow Bones
Proper prep is vital for clean, delicious cooked marrow. Here are a few tips:
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Soak bones in salt water – Dissolve 1 tbsp salt per 1 cup water. Soak bones 6-12 hours to draw out blood and impurities.
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Rinse bones – After soaking, rinse bones under cold water and pat dry. Allow bones to air dry for 30 minutes before roasting.
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Trim bones – Use a sharp knife to trim away any fat, tendons, or meat on the bones. Wipe clean with paper towels.
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Check for cracks – Avoid bones with large cracks which can cause the marrow to leak out during cooking.
Following these steps yields clean, high-quality bones ready for roasting.
How to Roast Beef Marrow Bones
Roasting is hands-down the best cooking method to melt marrow and bring out its rich flavor. Follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 8-12 beef marrow bones (4 servings)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 450 ̊F.
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Place bones cut-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
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Roast for 15-25 minutes until marrow begins to bubble and separate from the bone.
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Remove from oven and serve bones immediately while hot.
The high heat of the oven melts and caramelizes the marrow, turning it soft, spreadable, and full of flavor. Roast just until the marrow starts to bubble, avoiding overcooking.
How to Serve Beef Marrow Bones
There are endless ways to serve and enjoy beef marrow bones:
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On toast – Spread melted marrow on toasted rustic bread. Top with sea salt, parsley, shallots, or capers.
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With grilled meat – Serve alongside grilled steak or lamb chops. Spread marrow on meat.
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As a compound butter – Blend roasted marrow into room temperature butter. Chill and slice into patties.
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On pasta – Toss hot pasta with dollops of marrow, Parmesan, lemon, and olive oil.
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On vegetables – Melt marrow in a pan with sautéed onions, mushrooms, or Brussels sprouts.
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With risotto – Stir marrow into the rice during the final steps for extra richness.
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With eggs – Top fried or scrambled eggs with a spoonful of melted marrow.
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With chips – Use pita or tortilla chips to scoop marrow directly from the roasted bone.
Add sea salt, fresh herbs, shallots, or capers to complement the marrow’s rich flavor. Get creative with your serving style!
What to Drink with Beef Marrow Bones
The mouth-coating richness of beef marrow calls for a bright, palate-cleansing drink pairing. Some excellent options include:
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Pilsner or lager: The light, crisp carbonation cuts through the marrow’s richness.
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witbier or wheat beer: The citrusy flavors contrast the fatty marrow.
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Dry cider: Tart and bubbly, it balances the unctuousness.
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Pale ale: The hoppy bitterness stands up to the marrow.
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Sparkling wine: Bubbles and acidity cleanse the palate perfectly.
A pint of hoppy IPA or tart saison ale make terrific beer pairings with roasted marrow bones. The carbonation and bitterness complement the dish wonderfully.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
Here are some helpful tips to achieve marrow perfection:
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Chill bones after roasting to help firm up the melted marrow for easier scooping.
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Add bones to soups and stews during the last 30 minutes of cooking to gently melt the marrow into the broth.
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Roast marrow bones up to 3 days in advance. Reheat gently before serving.
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Smaller cross-cut bones cook faster than large canoe-cut bones. Adjust roasting times accordingly.
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Not all bones have equal amounts of marrow. Roast extra bones to ensure sufficient quantity.
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Browning meat, onions, or mushrooms in rendered marrow adds incredible flavor.
With proper selection and preparation, beef marrow bones make an elegant, easy appetizer to impress dinner guests. Next time you visit the butcher counter, bring home some bones and enjoy this underrated delicacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy beef marrow bones?
Check your local butcher shop or the meat counter at your grocery store. You can also order bones online through butcher box services. Look for large femur or tibia bones.
How much marrow is in each bone?
It varies. Some small bones contain very little marrow while some large ones are packed with it. Plan on 1-2 bones per person, and roast extra.
Can I freeze raw marrow bones?
Yes. Freeze bones for 3-4 months maximum. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
What’s the white stuff on raw marrow?
The waxy white coating is simply hardened marrow. It will melt away during roasting. A little blood spotting is also normal.
Is bone marrow healthy?
Yes, marrow is very nutritious. It contains protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It provides many health benefits like reducing inflammation.
Can dogs eat cooked beef marrow bones?
No. The cooked bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard. Stick to raw marrow bones for dogs.
With their rich, meaty flavor, beef marrow bones make an inexpensive yet impressive appetizer for your next dinner party. Follow the simple steps in this guide for expertly roasted marrow that looks and tastes gourmet.
Easiest Roasted Bone Marrow Recipe
FAQ
How is bone marrow supposed to be cooked?
Should you soak marrow bones before cooking?
How do you cook frozen beef marrow bones?