How to Cook Beef Bones for Stock in the Oven

By: Caryn Anderson

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Making a flavorful stock may seem like a complicated process, but it really is simpler than it may seem. All you need are good bones, fresh vegetables and herbs, water and some time to let things simmer. For a brown stock, which is another name for stock made with beef bones, roasting the bones and vegetables is a common procedure. This removes impurities, such as fat and blood, that can alter flavor, while also deepening the flavor of the beef bones and vegetables.

Step 1

Select meaty beef bones, such as cross cut beef shank or short ribs. Use a sharp meat cleaver to cut the beef bones into 2- to 4-inch pieces, or ask a butcher at the store to cut them.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 3

Toss the bones with oil, such as olive oil, if desired, before placing them in a single layer in a roasting pan. Put the roasting pan in the preheated oven.

Step 4

Roast the beef bones until they are golden brown, which may take from 30 to 60 minutes. Flip the bones once during roasting to make sure they're evenly browned.

Step 5

Remove the pan of bones from the oven and reserve the fat from the roasting pan, setting it aside. Place the bones in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the pot to a simmer.

Step 6

Add 1/2 cup of water or wine to the roasting pan to deglaze it, stirring to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour the liquid into the pot with the bones.

Step 7

Place whatever vegetables you are using in the roasting pan, tossing them with the reserved fat left from roasting the bones. Roast the vegetables in the oven until they are browned. Remove the vegetables from the oven and add them to the stockpot.

Step 8

Simmer the stock, covered, for the desired length of time, typically from 3 1/2 hours to six hours or longer. Periodically skim the fat from the top of the liquid.

Step 9

Remove the beef bones and strain the broth by pouring it in a large colander or a sieve lined with cheesecloth that is set over a large, heat-proof bowl. Discard the vegetables, herbs and seasonings that were used to simmer the stock.