Hearty neckbone stew braised with vegetables in a thick, savory gravy is a budget-friendly, protein-rich Southern family classic. This slow-cooked comfort food turns an economical cut into a deeply flavorful meal.
Pat the neckbones dry with paper towels, season with half the salt and pepper, and brown them in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat with vegetable oil for about 3 minutes per side to develop deep color.
Remove the neckbones, add chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes; add garlic and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
Stir in flour and tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to make a lightly browned roux; slowly add beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
Return neckbones to the pot, add thyme and bay leaf, cover with lid, lower heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and braise for 2 hours, occasionally skimming fat or foam.
Add diced potatoes, adjust seasoning if needed, re-cover, and continue to simmer for 45–60 minutes until meat is tender and potatoes are fork-soft.
Remove neckbones; when cool, pick off the meat and return to the stew, discarding bones and bay leaf. Simmer stew uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken if needed, stirring gently.
Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve hot, topped with fresh black pepper or parsley if desired.