Where to Buy Grass Fed Beef Bones Near Me

Beef bones are full of collagen and make amazing additions to broths, stews, and soups. They add rich flavor and nutrients. But not all beef bones are created equal. Grass fed beef bones are healthier and more nutritious than conventional beef bones. If you want to make the most delicious and nourishing broths and soups, you need bones from grass fed cows. But where can you find high-quality grass fed beef bones near you?

Why Choose Grass Fed Beef Bones

Grass fed cows are pasture raised and only eat grass. They are not fed grain or given growth hormones and antibiotics like conventional cattle. This makes a big difference in the nutritional profile of the meat and bones:

• More omega-3 fatty acids
• Higher in antioxidants like vitamin E
• More CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
• Better ratio of pro-inflammatory omega-6 to anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats

Grass fed beef bones are richer in these healthy fats. When you simmer bones to make broth, these fats get incorporated into the liquid. This means your homemade bone broth will be more nutritious.

The bones themselves are also denser from the cows’ grazing and exercise. This gives you more collagen and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium when making broth.

Overall, broth made with grass fed bones is more nutrient-dense and flavorful. It’s worth seeking out high-quality bones from pasture raised cows if you want the health benefits of bone broth.

Where to Find Grass Fed Beef Bones Locally

Looking for grass fed marrow bones or other beef bones for making broth near you? Here are some places to check:

1. Farmer’s Markets

Farmer’s markets are a great place to find local, grass fed meats. Ask vendors if they have beef bones for sale. Often you can get marrow bones, knuckle bones, oxtails, neck bones, and other beef bones perfect for broth and soups.

Shopping at farmers markets lets you ask questions directly to farmers about how the cattle are raised. This ensures you get bones from 100% grass fed and finished cows.

2. Butcher Shops or Meat Markets

Many local butcher shops and meat markets source grass fed beef from small, local farms. Ask at the butcher counter if they have soup bones or marrow bones from grass fed cattle.

The benefit of butcher shops is you can custom order exactly what type of bones you want. You can request knuckle bones, marrow bones, oxtails, or other bones ideal for making nutrient-rich broth.

3. Natural Food Stores

Check the meat department at health food stores or co-ops in your area. Many stock local, grass fed beef. Look for soup bone packs or marrow bones.

The premium stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts are more likely to carry grass fed beef bones than regular grocery stores. See if any natural grocers in your neighborhood sell them.

4. Direct from Grass Fed Cattle Farms

Buying directly from a local farm is the best way to get high-quality grass fed beef bones. Look for a grass fed cattle farm near you. Many sell individual cuts, bones, and organ meats.

Search online directories like Eat Wild or Local Harvest to find grass fed, pasture raised beef farms that may sell bones. Or check for notices about grass fed beef at your local farm store.

Buying direct ensures beef bones come straight from the farm without going through multiple supply chain steps. You can even go visit and see how the cattle are raised.

5. Online Stores

Ordering online is another convenient way to buy grass fed beef bones for broth delivered right to your door. Many smaller family farms sell bones online since they don’t produce enough quantity for retail stores.

Look for online stores that work with local farmers and clearly state beef is 100% grass fed and grass finished. Watch out for vague language like “pasture raised” that could mean the cattle were finished on grain.

Some reputable online sources include:

• US Wellness Meats – sells marrow, knuckle, and neck bones from 100% grass fed beef

• Tender Grass Farms – beef knuckle and marrow bones from Kentucky grass fed cows

• Joyce Farms – simmer-ready grass fed beef bones for broth

The benefit of ordering online is the wide selection of marrow bones, knuckle bones, oxtails and more shipped frozen to your house.

Questions to Ask About Sourcing

Wherever you source grass fed beef bones locally, ask some questions to learn more about the cattle:

• Are the cattle 100% grass fed their whole lives or just for a portion? Bones from purely grass fed cows have the highest nutritional value.

• Were the cattle pasture raised or feedlot confined? Pasturing provides exercise and diverse foraging.

• Do the cows receive hormones or routine antibiotics? These are prohibited in grass fed cattle.

• Is all beef ground together or can bones be traced to single farms? Single farm source is better.

• How are the bones prepared? Look for bones sliced or cut, not crushed or splintered.

• Are the bones frozen or fresh? Either works fine but frozen keeps longer.

Asking questions helps you find the highest quality bones from reputable grass fed ranchers.

Storing and Preparing Grass Fed Beef Bones

Once you’ve sourced some high-quality grass fed beef bones, proper storage is important:

• Place fresh bones in the refrigerator immediately, and use within 5 days.

• Frozen bones can be stored for 6-12 months in the freezer before losing flavor and nutrients.

• Thaw frozen bones for 1-2 days in the fridge before using.

• Never cook beef bones from a frozen state, as they can splinter and make broth unsafe.

For safety, look for bones that are whole, clean cuts, not broken shards or fragments. Avoid bones that are splintered, cracked, or have detached joints.

Slicing and cutting bones before cooking makes it easier to fit them in pots and extract nutrients:

• Use a cleaver or butcher’s knife to cut bones into 3-4” sections.

• Split lengthwise to expose the marrow in marrow bones.

• Ask your butcher or farmer to slice bones before purchasing.

With high-quality grass fed beef bones from a trusted source, you’re ready to start making the most nutritious bone broth and soups for your family.

Finding a CSA with Bones

Another way to get regular access to grass fed beef bones is by joining a meat CSA (community supported agriculture). CSAs offer weekly deliveries of quality meats and often include bones. Here’s what to look for in a meat CSA:

• 100% grass fed and finished beef from pasture raised cattle

• Consistent supply of marrow bones, knuckle bones, oxtails or other broth-friendly beef bones

• Option to get bones in every delivery or customize your box

• Verifiable practices showing how cattle are raised and beef processed

• Responsible handling of bones to prevent splintering

• Proper storage and delivery to maintain freshness and integrity

• Farm location close enough to deliver bones while still fresh

Joining a CSA lets you develop a relationship with a farm and get high-quality grass fed beef bones without frequent shopping. Investigate farms near you to find one with well-raised cattle that provides bones ideal for nutritious broth.

Ready to Cook Grass Fed Beef Bone Broth?

Now that you know where to look, you can start making nourishing, gelatinous bone broth with grass fed beef bones. Here are a few tips for cooking beef bone broth:

• Combine marrow bones, knuckles, and oxtails in the pot to balance meatiness and collagen.

• Add an acid like vinegar or lemon juice to help extract minerals from the bones.

• Simmer bones very gently for 24-48 hours to fully extract collagen and nutrients.

• Skim fat and impurities that rise to the top as broth simmers.

• Use bones only once before nutrients are depleted. Freeze leftover meat, then roast bones a second time.

• Season simply with salt, herbs, and vegetables so the broth flavor shines.

• Chill broth to allow the fat to rise and solidify for easy removal.

The bottom line is finding local, grass fed beef bones results in tastier, more nutritious bone broth. Check farmers markets, butchers, health food stores, and direct from farms to locate high-quality marrow bones, knuckles, and oxtails for making your own healing broth. With so many potential sources nearby, you can easily buy affordable grass fed beef bones for broth and soup making. Get started cooking today to enjoy the benefits of broth from pasture raised cattle.