Instant Pot Neck Bones in Gravy was a perfect way to bring some Southern loving into my kitchen. Fork tender Neck Bones swimming in a thickened Gravy filled with Sweet Onions and flavorful Garlic. Made all in an Instant Pot for an easy meal anytime. Served over White Rice and a side of Sautéed Cabbage & Onions.
Neck Bones is exactly what it sounds like. The bones from the neck area of an animal. We use it in cooking different types of broth, stews and in my case a meat option in my southern recipe. There are several variations to be found such as Pork, Beef, Turkey as well as Lamb or Chicken. It is your preference on which you would like to use and how you prepare it. Cooking time can vary from 2-4 hours but in my version, it’s 50 minutes in an Instant Pot. Dinner in an hour, I’m excited to share this with you. If you do not have an Instant Pot, no worries. Prepare it in the oven or boil it for 2-4 hours as a result, you will achieve the same outcome.
My love for an Instant Pot and my love for tender Neck Bones and Gravy comes together all in one pot. I use Pork Neck Bones in this recipe which has a rich, savory and slightly sweet taste to it. Prep time is minimal as it simply is seasoning up and setting aside to marinate for a bit. Set up the Instant Pot, add in the meat, seal and let it do its magic for 50 minutes while preparing your favorite sides to enjoy with it. This was a White Rice & sautéed Cabbage & Greens & Cornbread meal for me. Let’s get to preparing this recipe so that you will experience the same Southern comfort right in your kitchen.
Instant Pot Neck Bones in Gravy
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Mixing Bowl
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
Protein
- 4 lbs Pork or Beef Neck Bones
Produce
- 1 Yellow Onion Sliced.
- 2 tbsp Garlic Minced.
Pantry
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Chicken, Beef or Vegetable Bouillon I used Knorr granulated brand. You may substitute for your preferred brand.
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp Adobo May substitute for your brand seasoned salt.
- 2 tbsp Garlic Herb Seasoning No Salt
- 2 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Oil
- Olive Oil
Sides
- Prepared Rice
- Sautéed Cabbage & Greens
- Cornbread
Instructions
Neck Bone Preparation
- Place Neck Bones in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle a generous amount of Olive Oil. Add all the Seasonings in. Using your hands, rub the Olive Oil and Seasonings into the Neck Bones being sure to coat thoroughly. Set aside and let marinate with seasonings for 20 minutes or so. **this can be done the night before and placed in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes prior to cooking.
Instant Pot
- Add 2-3 cups of water and granulated Bouillon into Instant Pot canister and give it a stir. I placed a small roasting rack with handles at bottom for easy removal prior to thickening gravy but it is optional.***the amount of water will depend on size of Instant Pot. I have a large one so 2-3 cups was perfect.
- Nest the Neck Bones into the Instant Pot and seal with lid. Be sure the seal is on completely.
- Turn the Pressure Cook on High. Pressure Cook for 50 minutes. Let the steam release completely on its own. Meat should be fork tender.
Gravy
- Once the steam is released. Turn off Instant Pot. Carefully open. Remove the Neck Bones and place on to a dish.***using the roasting rack with handles makes it easier to complete this step, as you will just grab the handles with tongs and remove all in one.
- In a small bowl, mix Cornstarch with 2-3 tbsp of cold water to create a slurry.
- Turn on the Sauté function on Instant Pot and add sliced Onions & minced Garlic. Bring the broth to a simmer stirring periodically until Onions begin to soften. Add slurry in and whisk until gravy thickens. If it is not thick enough for you, create another slurry and slowly add in a little at a time until desired consistency is achieved. Taste to see if additional seasonings are needed.
- Place the Neck Bones back into gravy and spoon gravy over top. Turn off Instant Pot and let it rest until ready to serve.
Serve
- Serve over White Rice with a side of sautéed Cabbage & Greens and a slice of Cornbread. Delicious.
This looks delicious! Would you recommend any specific seasoning to enhance the flavor of the gravy?
My seasonings are pretty simple such as seasoned salt, garlic herb seasoning, pepper, onion powder etc. I do try others depending on what I am preparing. The drippings from the meat provide a lot of flavor. It doesn’t need much more outside of it and I keep the seasonings similar to what I seasoned the meat with. I would recommend tasting it first to see if it even needs additional. You do not want to add too much but still have the flavor of the gravy itself. Good luck.
This recipe for Instant Pot Neck Bones in Gravy sounds absolutely delicious and perfect for a comforting meal. I love how it combines Southern flavors with the convenience of modern cooking tools. Using an Instant Pot really cuts down the cooking time, making it ideal for busy weeknights. The combination of tender neck bones, savory gravy, and sides like white rice and sautéed cabbage is mouthwatering. How did you come up with the idea to use neck bones in this recipe?
I love cooking different types of meals. Cooking great tasting meals makes me happy and it makes me happier when everyone enjoys it as well. Anyone can cook, but a real cook will prepare meals with love and their heart and that is where I make true connection. I have used alternative meats as well to create this recipe such as short ribs and another favorite, oxtails. The instant pot is a bonus to cut down hours I spend on traditional way of making the recipe. Let me know how yours comes out should you choose to try it? I promise you, it is one you will not forget.
This recipe for Instant Pot Neck Bones in Gravy sounds absolutely delicious! I love how it brings Southern flavors to life in such a simple way. Using an Instant Pot makes it so convenient, and the combination of tender meat and rich gravy seems irresistible. What’s your favorite side dish to pair with neck bones?
I love a good southern meal and I love my instant pot. You get the best of both worlds in one meal. Irresistible it is and full of flavor. My favorite way to enjoy it is with steamed white rice or over a bowl of butter beans and cornbread. Let me know which route you go and your opinion on the recipe.
This recipe for Instant Pot Neck Bones in Gravy sounds absolutely delicious and easy to make! I love how it combines Southern flavors with the convenience of an Instant Pot. Using neck bones for tender, flavorful meat is such a great idea, and the gravy sounds rich and comforting. Serving it over white rice with sautéed cabbage and onions makes it a complete meal. What other sides would you recommend pairing with this dish?
Hi
Thank you so much for the feedback. It really is a delicious and enjoyable meal to have on any day of the week. Neck Bones seems to always be overlooked but provides a tasty option with a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. I have served this over mashed potatoes, enjoyed them with southern style butter beans & cornbread, butter noodles and would pair well with baked sweet potatoes. Let me know what options you try and would love to know how it comes out.