Marrow Bones
Marrow bones are probably one of the more interesting cuts we will talk about. Up until about 10 years ago you would never see marrow bones on a steakhouse menu but lately it has become more and more popular. With a flavor that tastes like an awesome combination of butter and beef with a kick of rich umami mixed in.
Some people like to eat bone marrow spread on toast but most just like scooping it out of the bones with a spoon. If you ever see marrow bones on your steakhouse menu be sure to order them. Or, better yet, get your own bones and make it at home.
Where do marrow bones come from?
Marrow bones usually come from the femur of the steer. Most other bones in the steer tend to be too small to get any substantial amount of marrow but the femur bones are large, straight, and packed with delicious bone marrow. The bones from a beef shank can also be used but you will get less marrow from them.
You will find marrow bones cut in half lengthwise and you can also find them cross cut into rounds. Either cut will work but having them cut lengthwise will make it easier to scoop out the marrow.
How to cook marrow bones
Out of all 30 cuts I will feature in this series you will find marrow bones to be the easiest to cook. Getting the bones is the hard part. Cooking them is easy.
Some recipes will have you soak the marrow bones in salt water but others just have you salt the marrow before cooking. I would probably opt to just salt them before cooking. Since the marrow is very fatty you will want to use a good amount of salt on them. After seasoning just throw them in a 450 degree oven for about 20 minutes. That’s it. Nothing fancy about cooking marrow bones at all.
If you want to check for doneness just stick a metal skewer into the marrow. It should feel like softened butter.
Where to buy marrow bones
This is where having a good relationship with your butcher is a great thing. You will rarely find marrow bones at the grocery store (edit: I actually saw some in the meat case at the grocery store but they were pretty small) but if you have a good butcher they should either have some marrow bones or they can get you some. I have heard Whole Foods has marrow bones in the freezer case but I have never thought to look there.
Another great source could be a farmer’s market. If there is a local beef ranch that sells at the market and they butcher their own beef chances are good they can get you some of the bones.
Unless you have a good bone saw at home you will want the butcher to either cut the bones lengthwise or cross cut for you.
Marrow bones are definitely on my list of cuts of beef to try. After reading up on them I was very surprised how easy the are to prepare. Now, time to pay a visit to the butcher.
Like what you read? Be sure to share it with your friends and come back tomorrow to learn about another cut of beef.
