How to Cook Smoked Neckbones and Potatoes – [2 Methods of Cooking]

Are you ready to elevate your cooking game with a dish that’s bursting with flavor and nostalgia? Look no further than the classic Southern comfort food combo of smoked neckbones and potatoes. This hearty, soul-satisfying dish is the epitome of down-home cooking, and it’s sure to transport your taste buds to a place of warm memories and comforting aromas.

Neck bones are a popular food in the southern areas, and many people like to accompany it with vegetables or rice. Smoked neck bones bring out a rich smoky flavor to your meals. The thought of eating meat falling off a bone makes it a top priority in your meal planning. You can pre-order smoked neck bones from a grocery store if readily available. Or, you can smoke them by yourself. It is easy to smoke them and cook after that with potatoes. Here are different ways to cook smoked neck bones with potatoes.

Preparing the neck bone

Store-bought smoked neck bones will save you time as its cooking process takes a lot of time. However, if you are the type that enjoys cooking from step one to finish, you can smoke them by yourself. Grilling is fun if you own a griller in your kitchen.

Also Read: How Long To Cook NY Strip on George Foreman Grill

Neck bones do not have too much meat on them. When purchasing, choose fresh ones that look meaty and not just bones. Neck bones are available as either beef.

Rinse the neck bones in running water or in a bowl to remove blood or any debris. Place them on a clean mixing bowl.

To marinate the neck bones for smoking, use salt, pepper, or any seasoning of your choice. You can add soy sauce if you wish to. Mix everything on the bowl together to ensure the ingredients spreads evenly on the meat. For a well-marinated meal, leave it overnight in a fridge before smoking it. You can refrigerate them for a whole week for the best results if you are not in a hurry to cook.

Prepare your smoker

1. Whether you are using a charcoal or gas smoker, the first thing to do before cooking is preheating the smoker. Use any fuel you are comfortable to access. Please set it to a high temperature. Adjust the heat settings depending on the type and model of your smoker. You can reduce it to medium temperature when the smoker is heated up already. The air vents should be left open to keep air flowing and circulating inside.
2. Fire your smoker and add your favorite flavored chunks to add taste to the neck bone while it’s cooking. Wood chips work best in smokers to add tasty flavors. You may want to moisten them a bit to add a smoky effect to the meat. Soaking them before use can also be an option. Add flavored chips for tasty neck bones.
3. Spray a little oil on the grates before placing the neck bones. It will make it easier to flip them over when cooking.
4. The time taken for the neck bones to get ready will depend on the fuel and smoker in use. While it’s cooking, check if each side gets cooked to avoid burning or overcooking Use a thermometer to check if they are ready to remove. Once cooked, remove from the smoker and prepare it for cooking with potatoes.

The average time it takes to smoke neck bones is around 2 hours. The sizes of the neck bones also matter.

In case you do not have a smoker but want home-smoked neck bones, make an oven, your friend.

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Cooking the smoked neck bones with potatoes

There are two methods one can choose to cook neck bones with potatoes. One can cook smoked neck bones either on the oven, pressure cooker, or slow cooker. Neck bones take plenty of time before they get tender and will take time before they are ready to serve. If you are patient, you can opt for a slow cooker, known as a crockpot.

Ingredients are what bring about the taste at the end of your cooking. They add flavor to the food. This recipe does not require a lot of elements when cooking. The things you will need are;

• Small or medium-sized smoked beef/pork neck bones
• One teaspoon salt to taste.
• One teaspoon garlic powder or ground garlic
• One teaspoon black pepper
• Medium onion (chopped)
• Medium-sized potatoes (diced)

1. Oven method

1. Baking the neck bones over the oven is a great option when you do not own a slow cooker. Preheat the oven at a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Add onions and garlic to a cooking pan, season with the above seasonings, or add some that match your taste. Pour a little oil, put the neck bones and dd black pepper, mix evenly. Put the potatoes and a little water and cover with aluminum foil.
3. Allow baking for at least 2 hours. You will know it is ready when it becomes tender.

2. Slow cooker method

1. Rinse the smoked pork or beef bones and place them on a bowl.
2. Season it with salt, garlic, and pepper.
3. Add onions to the cooking pot and fry them until they start to look crispy golden brown.
4. Add neck bones to the cooking pot with a little water that almost covers the meat. Cover the lid and let boil for a while until it starts to look tender before adding potatoes. Add the potatoes when the neck bones are almost ready.
5. Potatoes are the last ingredient in the pot, they cook quickly, and if left for long, they will overcook. Add the diced potatoes and cook on medium heat for at least 4 or 6 hours. Remove from the cooker when tender and serve.

The meat will fall off from the neck bones when it has cooked and became tender. It is a delicious part of eating neck bones.

Conclusion

Neck bones are delicious, with the meat falling off from the bones. You can choose to bake or slow cook them on a crockpot. Adding a little organic apple cider vinegar helps in tenderizing the neck bones and improves its flavors. Salt and vinegar are great tenderizers for your neck bones. They take a lot of time to prepare, but you will keep you going for more and trying it with other dishes as well.

Cooking smoked neckbones and potatoes is a delightful culinary journey that brings out the rich flavors of these humble ingredients. By following the simple yet effective techniques outlined in this article, you can create a mouthwatering dish that will impress your family and friends. The combination of smoky, savory neckbones with tender, creamy potatoes offers a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion.