3 Ways To Eat Bone Marrow - WikiHow

Home » How To Eat Bone Marrow » 3 Ways To Eat Bone Marrow - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Eat Bone Marrow PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods Ingredients 1 Enjoying Bone Marrow at Home or at a Restaurant 2 Roasting Bone Marrow 3 Presenting and Serving Bone Marrow Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles Expert Interview References Co-authored by Julien Miller

Last Updated: January 18, 2024 References

PDF download Download Article X

This article was co-authored by Julien Miller. Julien Miller is a Personal Chef and the Owner of Cooking with Julien based in Reno, Nevada. Chef Julien specializes in Cajun and Creole cuisines and is also known for cooking delicious hibachi and Southeast Asian dishes. He offers private event catering, meal preparation services, and his famous Louisiana Crawfish Boils. Julien received his Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology from Portland State University. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 36,123 times.

Bone marrow refers to the milky-white, buttery interior of cows’ femur bones, and it’s often viewed as a luxury or high-end menu item. When you eat this food at a restaurant or at home, there are a few things you need to know before you dig in—like how to extract the marrow and how to use the other elements that might be on the plate. You can prepare bone marrow at home relatively easily by coating it with salt, baking it in the oven, and coating it with bountiful herbs or other additions, like blue cheese or flavored butter.[1] [2]

Ingredients

Roasted Bone Marrow

  • 8 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) pieces of bone marrow, sliced lengthwise
  • 1 cup (25 grams) of fresh, chopped parsley
  • 2 small, sliced shallots
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of drained capers
  • Sea salt
  • 4-6 slices of rustic white bread

Makes 4 servings

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Enjoying Bone Marrow at Home or at a Restaurant

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Use your hands to grab and tilt the bone to access all the marrow. 1 Use your hands to grab and tilt the bone to access all the marrow. When you are ready to eat the bone marrow, it is totally okay to use your hands to maneuver the bones. In fact, doing so is the only way you’ll be able to really gain access to the entire thing. So don’t leave it on the plate and try to poke at it with your spoon—grab it and move it as you need to.[3]
    • The bones may be a bit greasy from the marrow drippings, so be careful to grip them firmly so they don’t slip out of your hands.
    • When you order bone marrow in a restaurant, it will traditionally be served with toasted bread and a small side salad. The salad is used as a palate cleanser and the bread is an accompaniment to the marrow.
  2. Step 2 Scoop out some bone marrow and place it on a piece of toasted bread. 2 Scoop out some bone marrow and place it on a piece of toasted bread. Use your spoon to scoop out about half a spoonful of marrow and spread it evenly over a piece of crusty bread. Depending on your tastes, put more or less marrow onto each bite of bread.[4]
    • When eating bone marrow, keep in mind that you won’t be eating any of the actual bone and should avoid any hard bits that may have come loose in the cooking process. Simply set any hard pieces off to the side.
    • The action of scooping out marrow is similar to scooping out the insides of a zucchini or squash.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Use chopsticks to scrape out all of the marrow from the bone. 3 Use chopsticks to scrape out all of the marrow from the bone. Long, thin chopsticks are normally presented along with the bone marrow dish if you’re eating it at a restaurant. Use these chopsticks to poke into the corners of both ends of the bone. There is normally a large chunk of marrow hidden away that you can’t access with just a spoon.[5]
    • If you don’t have chopsticks, you may be able to use a knife or the tines of a fork, though those instruments may still not be able to fully get into the smaller crevices.
  4. Step 4 Eat the salad on the plate separately and use it as a palate cleanser. 4 Eat the salad on the plate separately and use it as a palate cleanser. Don’t pair a bite of marrow along with a bite of salad. Rather, use the salad between bites of marrow, or save it until the end of the dish and eat it on its own.[6]
    • The salad paired with bone marrow is normally very light and should have a bright, citrus-based dressing.
  5. Step 5 Take a luge shot out of the bone for a fun ending to the meal. 5 Take a luge shot out of the bone for a fun ending to the meal. On one end of the bone there will be a small hole—use this hole to drink the shot. Pour the shot into the bone and enjoy the alcohol along with the remnants of the seasonings and drippings from the marrow.[7]
    • Jameson Irish Whiskey is typically paired with bone marrow.
  6. Step 6 Use a piece of bread to soak up the juices from the bone. 6 Use a piece of bread to soak up the juices from the bone. Whether or not you take a luge shot, you can use a piece of crusty bread to enjoy the last little bit of flavor from the bone. Simply dab at the interior of the bone with your bread to absorb the rest of the juices.[8]
    • Bone marrow is normally a more expensive dish, and no one is going to fault you for relishing every last bit of it.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Roasting Bone Marrow

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Call or visit your butcher to purchase your bone marrow. 1 Call or visit your butcher to purchase your bone marrow. Request that your butcher cut your marrow for you because it’s really hard to do yourself at home. Generally, you’re going to want to order your bone marrow sliced lengthwise (or “canoed”) so that it’s easier to season and access once it’s cooked.[9]
    • If you decide to use bone marrow that is unsliced, that is okay! You will cook it the same way and just use chopsticks or a small spoon to get the marrow out of the bone once it’s done cooking.
    • If you are going to split the bone marrow at home yourself, you’ll need a meat clever or a band saw and a steady pair of hands.
  2. Step 2 Preheat your oven... 2 Preheat your oven to 425 °F (218 °C) and line a baking sheet with foil. If you’re cooking unsliced bone marrow, bump that temperature up to 450 °F (232 °C).[10] Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil so that it’s ready to go once the oven has preheated.[11]
    • The aluminum foil makes cleaning up a lot easier—there will be a lot of juices from the marrow that flow out once it starts cooking.
  3. Step 3 Chop up the parsley and slice the shallots to prepare a garnish. 3 Chop up the parsley and slice the shallots to prepare a garnish. Use a clean cutting board and a sharp kitchen knife to finely chop 1 cup (25 grams) of fresh parsley. Set the parsley aside in a mixing bowl, and then thinly slice 2 shallots. Add those to the mixing bowl, too.[12]
    • You definitely don’t have to include a garnish if you don’t want one! A lot of people enjoy bone marrow simply roasted with salt and no other garnishes.[13]
    • You could also add in other fresh herbs, like basil or even a little bit of cilantro.[14]
  4. Step 4 Mix the parsley, shallots, oil, lemon juice, and capers together. 4 Mix the parsley, shallots, oil, lemon juice, and capers together. To the mixing bowl with your chopped parsley and shallots, add 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of extra virgin olive oil, 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of lemon juice, and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of drained capers. Combine everything together with a spoon and set the mixture to the side so it can marinate.[15]
    • Use fresh lemon juice if you can, but if you don’t have any then it’s okay to use bottled lemon juice.
    • If you don’t like extra virgin olive oil, you could also use avocado, grape seed, or other oil alternatives.
    • If you don’t like capers, try switching them out for the same amount of minced garlic.
  5. Step 5 Season the bone marrow aggressively with salt to bring out the flavor. 5 Season the bone marrow aggressively with salt to bring out the flavor. Use the sea salt and rub some into the marrow-side of the bone, similar to how you would salt a chicken or a piece of steak.[16] In general, the more salt you use, the more the flavor of the marrow will come through.[17]
    • If you’re nervous about over-salting, just add a thin coat to the marrow before you cook it. You can always add a pinch of sea salt to each bite of marrow if you find it needs a little more.
  6. Step 6 Lay the pieces marrow-side up on your lined baking sheet. 6 Lay the pieces marrow-side up on your lined baking sheet. Place the sections so that the hard bone is against the sheet and the marrow is facing the top of the oven. Space them evenly apart so that the heat has room to move all around each piece.[18]
    • You can leave your oven tray at whatever level you usually use.
  7. Step 7 Bake the bone marrow for 20 minutes at 425 °F (218 °C). 7 Bake the bone marrow for 20 minutes at 425 °F (218 °C). There is no technical level of “done” for bone marrow, but if you bake it for too long, the marrow will completely melt and you won’t be able to eat it. Rather, you just want to give it enough time in the oven so that the marrow gets soft.[19] You can test your marrow by poking a fork into it—if the fork pierces it easily, you’re good to go![20]
    • If you’re cooking unsliced bone marrow, cook it for the same amount of time but at 450 °F (232 °C).
    • If you’re nervous about over-cooking the marrow, set your timer for 15 minutes and check it at that point to see if it needs more time. If it’s still hard, it needs to keep cooking.[21]
  8. Step 8 Add a thick layer of the garnish to the bone marrow. 8 Add a thick layer of the garnish to the bone marrow. Spoon on a generous amount of the parsley, shallots, oil, lemon juice and capers. Divide the garnish equally between each section of bone marrow, and then lay 2 sections of bone, garnish-side up, onto each person’s plate.[22]
    • In addition to tasting great, the garnish also adds a really nice pop of color to your plate which makes the presentation look even nicer.
    9. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Presenting and Serving Bone Marrow

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Pair the dish with a light, refreshing salad to contrast the flavors. 1 Pair the dish with a light, refreshing salad to contrast the flavors. Arugula and lemon juice are great complementary flavors to pair with the buttery, decadent flavors of the bone marrow. Try to stay away from creamy dressings, like ranch or blue cheese, and instead choose a more acidic option.[23]
    • If you have leftover parsley, you could even make a fresh, light tabouli to pair with the bone marrow.
  2. Step 2 Serve bone marrow... 2 Serve bone marrow as an appetizer or as a main dish with steak. You can scoop out a little bone marrow and spread it on a piece of toast, or you could spread a little onto a piece of steak. It works wonderfully as an accompaniment to a great piece of protein, or you can use it as an appetizer before a main course.[24]
    • Keep in mind that bone marrow is very rich, so you won’t want to pair it with other heavy foods, like potatoes or pastas.
  3. Step 3 Use a flavored butter to add additional flavors without using a garnish. 3 Use a flavored butter to add additional flavors without using a garnish. If you’re not into using fresh herbs to coat your bone marrow, consider using a flavored butter, like garlic butter, to enhance the rich flavor of the dish.[25]
    • Add the butter to the bone marrow before cooking or spread it onto the marrow once it comes out of the oven.
  4. Step 4 Add blue cheese crumbles for a bitter, creamy accent. 4 Add blue cheese crumbles for a bitter, creamy accent. The bitter notes of the blue cheese pair really well with the rich, decadent nature of the bone marrow. Simply spread or crumble the cheese on top of the bone marrow to enjoy.[26]
    • You could also use goat cheese (or even an herbed goat cheese) for another flavor component.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How do I cook bone marrow on an air fryer? Julien Miller Julien Miller Personal Chef Julien Miller is a Personal Chef and the Owner of Cooking with Julien based in Reno, Nevada. Chef Julien specializes in Cajun and Creole cuisines and is also known for cooking delicious hibachi and Southeast Asian dishes. He offers private event catering, meal preparation services, and his famous Louisiana Crawfish Boils. Julien received his Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology from Portland State University. Julien Miller Julien Miller Personal Chef Expert Answer When preparing bone marrow in an air fryer, start by seasoning it with basic herbs, salt, and pepper. It's crucial to pay close attention to the temperature gauge, especially if the bone marrow is enclosed within the bone, as it tends to melt. Careful temperature control is essential to avoid overcooking. Setting the air fryer at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20–25 minutes is a good starting point. However, frequent monitoring, approximately every seven minutes, ensures that the bone marrow is not overcooked. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Remember to ask your butcher to slice your bone marrow for you since it’s very hard to do yourself at home. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If you’re buying bone marrow from a butcher, ask if they know if the cow was grass-fed or not. Marrow from grass-fed cows generally tastes the best. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

Roasting Bone Marrow

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Sharp kitchen knife
  • Cutting board
  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon

Presenting and Serving Bone Marrow

  • Plates
  • Utensils

Enjoying Bone Marrow at Home or at a Restaurant

  • Prepared bone marrow
  • Plate
  • Chopsticks
  • Spoon

You Might Also Like

What Does Bone Marrow Taste LikeWhat Does Bone Marrow Taste Like? Cook Beef JointHow to Roast & Braise Beef Joint Cut Chicken ThighsHow toCut Chicken Thighs Carve a Standing Rib RoastHow to Carve a Standing Rib Roast Cook Liver and OnionsHow toCook Liver and Onions Cook Fish RoeHow toCook Fish Roe Cook Lamb's LiverThe Best Ways to Pan-Fry, Glaze & Pâté Lamb Liver Serve Irish Soda BreadHow to Warm & Serve Irish Soda Bread Cook Lamb ShanksHow toCook Lamb Shanks Make a Basic ConsomméHow toMake a Basic Consommé Make Round Steak TenderHow toMake Round Steak Tender Cook Gammon Joint in OvenHow toCook Gammon Joint in Oven How toCook Liver Cook SweetbreadsHow to Prep and Cook Sweetbreads Advertisement

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Julien Miller.

References

  1. ↑ Derricka Clayton. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/marrow-bones
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/4SFgBD3StzM?t=157
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/4SFgBD3StzM?t=37
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/4SFgBD3StzM?t=132
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/4SFgBD3StzM?t=174
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/4SFgBD3StzM?t=190
  8. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2012/07/how-to-eat-cook-bone-marrow.html
  9. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/marrow-bones
More References (17)
  1. ↑ Julien Miller. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/marrow-bones
  3. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/roast-bone-marrow-and-parsley-salad
  4. ↑ Julien Miller. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ Derricka Clayton. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/roast-bone-marrow-and-parsley-salad
  7. ↑ Julien Miller. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/marrow-bones
  9. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/roast-bone-marrow-and-parsley-salad
  10. ↑ Julien Miller. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  11. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/marrow-bones
  12. ↑ Julien Miller. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  13. ↑ https://youtu.be/4SFgBD3StzM?t=43
  14. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2012/07/how-to-eat-cook-bone-marrow.html
  15. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/marrow-bones
  16. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2012/07/how-to-eat-cook-bone-marrow.html
  17. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2012/07/how-to-eat-cook-bone-marrow.html

About This Article

Julien Miller Co-authored by: Julien Miller Personal Chef This article was co-authored by Julien Miller. Julien Miller is a Personal Chef and the Owner of Cooking with Julien based in Reno, Nevada. Chef Julien specializes in Cajun and Creole cuisines and is also known for cooking delicious hibachi and Southeast Asian dishes. He offers private event catering, meal preparation services, and his famous Louisiana Crawfish Boils. Julien received his Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology from Portland State University. This article has been viewed 36,123 times. 5 votes - 100% Co-authors: 12 Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 36,123 Categories: Eating Techniques
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 36,123 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Julien Miller Co-authored by: Julien Miller Personal Chef Co-authors: 12 Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 36,123 100% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

Quizzes & Games

Guess the Food QuizGuess the Food QuizTake QuizWhat Food Am I QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizTake QuizGuess Where I Grew Up Based On Food QuizGuess Where I Grew Up Based On Food QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizWhat Pasta Shape Am I QuizWhat Pasta Shape Am I QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

What Does Bone Marrow Taste LikeWhat Does Bone Marrow Taste Like?Cook Beef JointHow to Roast & Braise Beef JointCut Chicken ThighsHow toCut Chicken ThighsCarve a Standing Rib RoastHow to Carve a Standing Rib Roast

Featured Articles

What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & Icebreakers110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?How Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse? Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)

Trending Articles

Make OutHow toMake OutWhat Song Was #1 On My Birthday?What Song Was #1 On My Birthday?How Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereHow Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereBest Personality TestBest Personality TestDo I Have Common Sense QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizDaily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧Daily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧

Featured Articles

What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerWhat Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasExercise Your BrainHow toExercise Your BrainBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithWhat Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?

Featured Articles

Develop Productive HabitsHow toDevelop Productive HabitsPractice Self CareHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?What Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Type A B C D Personality TestType A B C D Personality Test

Watch Articles

Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean)How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean) Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysHow to Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysThicken Sauce with FlourHow toThicken Sauce with Flour Brighten Up White Shirts and Other GarmentsHow to Brighten Up White Shirts and Other Garments Cook White Rice without a Rice CookerHow to Cook White Rice without a Rice Cooker Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)How to Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)

Trending Articles

Compatibility TestCompatibility TestWhat Am I Craving QuizWhat Am I Craving Quiz150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party Going30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party GoingWhich Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Which Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Toxic Family TestToxic Family Test

Quizzes & Games

Finish the Phrase QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizTake QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizTake QuizHow Southern Am I QuizHow Southern Am I QuizTake QuizIQ TestIQ TestTake QuizEmoji TestEmoji TestTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Food and Entertaining
  • Appreciation of Food
  • Eating Techniques
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --693

Tag » How To Eat Bone Marrow