Pork breast bones may seem like an unusual cut of meat to cook with, but they can actually be quite versatile in the kitchen. I was recently inspired to experiment with cooking pork breast bones after coming across them at my local grocery store. The price was right at only $2 per pack, so I decided to challenge myself to make something tasty out of this unfamiliar cut of pork.
After doing some research online and watching a helpful YouTube video, I learned quite a bit about how to make the most of pork breast bones. In this article, I’ll share everything I now know about how to cook pork breast bones, including different methods and recipe ideas. Read on for a complete step-by-step guide!
What Are Pork Breast Bones?
First, let’s start with what pork breast bones actually are. Pork breast refers to the belly region of the pig. This is the fattiest area, similar to how the breast area contains the most fat on a chicken.
Pork breast bones are slices cut across the belly that contain parts of the rib bones. They are long, flat cuts consisting of mostly bone with some meat, fat, and connective tissue attached.
You may also see them labeled as “pork ribs,” but true pork ribs come from the loin area, while breast bones are from the belly. Pork breast bones tend to have less meat than loin ribs but contain lots of collagen in the attached tissues.
Benefits of Cooking with Pork Breast Bones
While pork breast bones may not seem very meaty at first glance, they offer some unique benefits:
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Rich flavor – The bones, fat, and collagen add rich pork flavor as they cook down This can enhance the taste of soups, stews, beans, greens, and more.
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Bone broth – Simmering the bones makes a nutritious bone broth loaded with collagen, minerals, and other nutrients extracted from the bones.
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Affordable – As a less popular cut, pork breast bones cost much less than pork chops or loin roasts. Their low price makes them ideal for budget cooking.
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Versatile – Pork breast bones can be used in many dishes from soups to braises to sautés. Their versatility allows you to get creative in the kitchen!
Now that you know what pork breast bones are and why they can be a great ingredient to cook with, let’s get into the specific methods for preparing them.
How to Cook Pork Breast Bones
There are a few different ways to cook pork breast bones depending on the recipe and the texture you want to achieve. Here are some of the most common cooking methods:
Boiling/Simmering for Bone Broth
One of the best uses for pork breast bones is to make a nourishing bone broth. Bone broth has recently gained popularity for its high collagen content which can promote gut health and joint strength.
To make bone broth, start by roasting the pork breast bones at 400°F for 30-45 minutes until well browned. Then, place the roasted bones in a pot and cover with water. Add aromatics like onions, garlic, parsley, and bay leaves.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for at least 2-4 hours. The longer you simmer, the more collagen and nutrients will be extracted from the bones into the broth.
Once cooled, strain the broth and discard the bones. You can use the collagen-rich bone broth as a base for soups, stews, sauces, rice, or simply drink it on its own. It freezes well too.
Braising for Maximum Flavor
Braising is ideal for breaking down the collagen in pork breast bones into succulent, fork-tender meat. Choose a flavorful liquid like wine, broth, tomatoes, or barbecue sauce to braise the bones in.
First, sear the bones on all sides in a hot pan until well browned. Transfer to a Dutch oven with your braising liquid, add aromatics, then cover and cook at 250-325°F for 1-3 hours until fork tender. The meat should easily fall off the bones when fully braised.
Use the braised pork breast bones in tacos, sandwiches, pasta, rice bowls, or shred for pulled pork. The braising liquid also makes a wonderful sauce.
Stewing Into Hearty Meals
For budget-friendly stews and soups that still have rich flavor, pork breast bones are perfect. Simply add them to your favorite stew or soup recipes and simmer until the meat falls off the bones.
Try them in dishes like split pea soup, bean stew, potato soup, ramen, pozole, or chicken noodle soup for added pork flavor. The bones help create a hearty, chunky texture and depth of taste.
Sautéing for Quick Meals
For a fast weeknight dinner, you can simply sauté pork breast bones on the stovetop. Dredge them in a bit of flour seasoned with salt and pepper then brown well on both sides in a hot skillet with oil.
Once crispy on the outside, add broth or water, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Serve the sautéed pork breast bones with rice and vegetables for an easy meal.
Grilling for Outdoor Cooking
During grilling season, take advantage of pork breast bones’ mild flavor. Simply season them and grill over direct medium heat for about 10 minutes per side.
The bones and fat help keep the meat from drying out on the grill. Use grilled pork breast bones for tacos, sandwiches, salads, or nachos. They pair especially well with bold barbecue sauce.
As you can see, pork breast bones can be used in all sorts of cooking methods. Feel free to get creative and use them how you would ribs or other bony pork cuts. Now let’s look at some recipe ideas.
Recipe Ideas Using Pork Breast Bones
From Asian dishes to American classics, pork breast bones can star in a variety of recipes:
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Ramen – Simmer bones into the broth then use for wontons, ramen noodles, herbs, soft boiled egg.
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Pozole – Braise seasoned bones in chili sauce and broth. Shred meat and use in traditional Mexican pozole stew.
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Pasta e Fagioli – Sauté bones, use broth for bean soup base. Shred meat into the pasta and bean stew.
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BBQ Sandwiches – Grill or braise bones in barbecue sauce. Shred and pile onto buns for pulled pork sandwiches.
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Split Pea Soup – Simmer bones into a ham bone-like split pea soup. Shred meat into the thick, hearty soup.
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Kimchi Soup – Use bone broth as the base for traditional Korean kimchi soup with pork, tofu, and kimchi.
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Pork Fried Rice – Sauté bite-sized pieces of boneless pork with rice, veggies, and savory sauce.
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Pork Tacos – Shred grilled, braised, or sautéed bones and add to corn tortillas with salsa and fixings.
Don’t limit yourself to just these recipes. Use pork breast bones anywhere you would use soup bones, ribs, or another pork cut with bones. They bring rich flavor to soups, stews, braises, rice dishes, pastas, tacos, and more.
Tips for Cooking Pork Breast Bones
To get the best results when cooking with this unusual cut of pork, keep these tips in mind:
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Brown the bones well before braising or simmering to enhance flavor.
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Cook low and slow through methods like braising to break down the collagen.
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Add acids like tomatoes, vinegar, or citrus when braising to further tenderize the meat.
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Let stews and braises sit overnight in the fridge to allow flavors to develop.
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Scoop out the layer of fat from the top of stews and broths for richer flavor.
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Check for doneness by poking bones. The meat should be very tender and falling off.
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Add aromatics like garlic, onions, bay leaves, parsley, peppers, and celery.
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Play around with different spice blends like Mexican, barbecue, Cajun, Italian, or Greek seasonings.
With the right cooking methods and recipes, pork breast bones can be an incredibly flavorful, budget-friendly ingredient in your kitchen. If you find them at the store, don’t be afraid to give them a try!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Pork Breast Bones
Are pork breast bones tough to cook with?
Pork breast bones contain quite a bit of collagen in the connective tissues so they can be tough if not cooked properly. Using moist heat methods like braising or stewing helps break down the collagen over time, making them tender. Browning them first also adds more flavor.
What’s the best way to cook pork breast bones in an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is great for cooking pork breast bones. Brown them first if possible then add broth and spices. Cook on high pressure for 25-35 minutes depending on quantity. Then use the natural release method. The bones shoul