Bone Marrow Butter

Bone marrow butter is rich, creamy and umami! This marrow butter has garlic, herbs, seasonings and is a flavor bomb served on crusty bread or as a compliment to your steak.

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Bone marrow butter is made using bone marrow, a soft, fatty tissue found inside animal bones. And if you are ready to throw those beef bones out, think again!

Bone marrow is often overlooked and discarded but for those in-the-know, you will treasure this delightful treat!

Bone marrow can be used in various dishes, such as soups, stews, and sauces, served on its own as a delicacy or as a prime component in this incredible bone marrow butter recipe!

One of our favorite ways to incorporate bone marrow into a dish is by making this delightfully meaty compound butter.

This compound butter is made by mixing softened butter, roasted bone marrow, roasted garlic and a few other goodies to create a smooth and flavorful spread that can be used on bread, meats and vegetables.

This bone marrow recipe adds a rich, nutty flavor to any dish and can be used as a substitute for regular butter or as a luxurious addition to a meal.

Bone marrow butter can be served in various ways, such as spread on toast or baguette, topped with sea salt or herbs for a simple and satisfying snack.

It can also be used to add richness and depth to a variety of dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables (best roasted asparagus), or your protein of choice (Denver steak).

Bone marrow butter is the perfect finisher for a grilled steak and you can kick up the heat making burnt chili bone marrow butter by adding some chili crisp. Who doesn’t love some heat!

So, I will make no bones about the fact that we love bone marrow and this bone marrow recipe is the beginners gateway to bone marrow.

Why this recipe works

If you really want to get your culinary flex on, this bone marrow recipe is the way. Bone marrow butter adds a rich, nutty and umami flavor to any dish and has that undeniable wow factor.

Speaking of delicious meats, be sure to check out this Smoked Pork Loin for your next backyard party.

Bone marrow butter can take basic to extraordinary. Try on crusty toasted bread, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables or grilled meats.

The rich, velvety texture and beefy flavor of bone marrow elevates this compound butter making it super indulgent and special.

Ingredients

Bone Marrow Butter

• Butter (softened): You can used salted or unsalted butter but adjust the salt accordingly.
• Bone Marrow: Meat N’ Bone is a great purveyor of split bone marrow bones. Bone marrow bones can vary greatly on yield. I recommend purchasing and roasting more than you may need. That way you can adjust the amount of bone marrow in your recipe to your taste and if you have extra, the chef gets a few extra bites of meaty deliciousness!
• Garlic: Roasted or confit garlic.
• Fresh Lemon Zest
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Optional: Fresh herbs or other seasonings of choice.

Roasted Bone Marrow Bones

• Olive Oil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

Roasted Garlic

• Olive Oil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

How to make bone marrow butter

Bone marrow recipe (roasted bone marrow bones)

1. Make sure bone marrow bones are completely cleaned and rinsed.
2. Preheat oven to 450°F.
3. Place bone marrow on baking sheet. Bone marrow cut crosswise should be standing and if cut lengthwise, place cut side facing up.
4. Drizzle bone marrow bones with olive oil and season with kosher salt and pepper.
5. Roast on 450°F for approximately 15-25 minutes (internal temperature should be 145°F). Cook time will vary depending on the size of the bone marrow bones you are roasting.

Roasted garlic recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Slice garlic head in half across (through middle of cloves). Place each half on a piece of aluminum foil (with enough room to wrap entirely).
2. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Seal tin foil fully. Roast on 400ºF for 30-40 minutes until garlic is soft and golden.

Bone marrow butter

1. In food processor, combine butter, bone marrow, roasted garlic, lemon zest, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and any desired herbs or spices.
2. Pulse until fully combined. Slather on crusty bread, serve over steak, veggies or seafood.

How to Store Bone Marrow Butter: Place bone marrow butter on parchment paper, roll tightly into a log shape and seal the ends. Store in the refrigerator.

Burnt Chili Bone Marrow Butter: To this bone marrow recipe, add 2 teaspoons (or additional to taste) hot chili oil or chili crisp.

Fresh Herbs or Other Seasoning Ideas:

• Parsley
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Chives
• Tarragon
• Dill
• Oregano
• Mint
• Cilantro
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Mustard powder
• Turmeric
• Chili powder
• Curry powder

Where to buy bone marrow

Finding good quality bone marrow bones can prove tricky as they are not always available in your local grocery store. For this type of specialty product, Meat N’ Bone Steakhouse Grade Bone Marrow is an excellent option.

Meat N’ Bone offers 2 steakhouse grade beef marrow bones (approximately 1 pound). The beef bone marrow bones are pre-cut so you can easily access the bone marrow which is perfect for this bone marrow recipe. It also makes for a beautiful presentation for other culinary preparations.

What does bone marrow taste like

Bone marrow is rich, buttery, nutty, meaty and silky smooth. Think nature’s meat butter!

The taste can vary depending on the animal it comes from, but in general, bone marrow has delightful savory flavor which adds depth and richness to dishes, especially when roasted at high temperatures for for caramelization.

Bone marrow health benefits

Yes, I know we are here to eat but when we can eat well and pack in some nutritional benefits, I am here for it.

Bone marrow has been touted to be a good source of essential nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and calcium.

Some studies indicate that bone marrow contains compounds such as collagen, glutamine and glycine, which help maintain a healthy gut lining and immune system.

Other benefits include joint health, reduced inflammation, healthy bones (hello calcium and phosphorus!) and may improve brain health with omega-3 fatty acids.

Do you need to soak bone marrow bones?

Soaking bone marrow bones before cooking is a matter of personal preference and depends on the quality of the bones.

Some culinary experts recommend soaking the bones in salted water for up to 24 hours to draw out any impurities or blood, resulting in a cleaner bone marrow.

However, others argue that this step is unnecessary as high-quality bones from reputable sources should already be relatively clean.

When cooking with any bones that have been pre-sliced, it is recommended to rinse off any bone dust which is a natural byproduct. Be sure to thoroughly dry your bones before roasting.

FAQ and expert tips

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