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🍖 Slow-Cooked Market-Style Pork Backbones

bgibson135

I bought this “Market Style Back Bone” (pork) at the “Town Market” grocery store in Pine Level, North Carolina. It was a little over 2 lbs. of meat for about $5.50. I then asked my AI how to cook it and one of the choices was slow cooker. I hadn’t used my slow cooker is years so I decided to go that way, and currently have it on HI for maybe 4-5 hours. I’m planning to go to Erwin to eat lunch, from IGA, and then maybe to the Harnett County Library near Lillington.

DARN! A minor disappointment.

After my visit to the Library, I headed over to Jeff’s house, and on the way followed a van from the light on Main Street in Lillington, all the way to Hwy. 24. It was supporting the large red capped head of Donald Trump pasted on their back window, and sporting a special license plate of “D.TRUMP1”. Needless to say I had to give this van a two finger salute. One finger on each hand.

Haven’t been to Jeff’s in a long while, but I had put my “Rollator” in the trunk of my car for him. He’s having major, hip surgery in mid December. I also took a Claxton Fruit Cake, and I had my bottles of Hinnant Grape Juices (Muscadine & Scuppernong) behind my seat. *And Jeff and family like neither the fruit cake nor the grape juice, but he did take the Rollator. (it’s blue by the way, and not red like I was so adamant of).

Enjoyed my visit with Jeff & Ashlyn, and she still adamantly affirms that she only eats Macaroni & Cheese. I don’t know how she does it. After a good visit, it dawned on me that I still had my pork in my crock pot and rushed off to make sure I hadn’t burned down my place. I got back and it was still hot, plenty of liquid, and the meat falling apart.

The disappointment?

The flavor just wasn’t wonderful. Not bad, but not wonderful either. I made gravy using some cornstarch, and that wasn’t premier either. I ate some of the meat, with the small avocado I had bought at the IGA in Erwin for lunch, but not eaten then. The avocado was still green and very ripe. *I’m thinking that maybe adding some jalapeno might be the way to make this recover.

Market Style Pork Back Bone
Browned Meat on All Sides in Olive Oil
Homemade Chicken Broth
Pork, Onion, Garlic, Broth, S&P
Set Slow Cookerr on HI

I put my homemade chicken stock in reused “Greek Gods Yogurt” plastic containers with tight fitting lids, and then freeze. I then have to thaw them in the microwave if I want to use the broth immediately.

Ingredients

(for about 2–2.5 lbs like in your photo)

  • 2–2½ lb pork backbones (market style, bone in)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (balances the richness)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water with bouillon)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust later)
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika or cayenne (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional but deepens flavor)
  • 1–2 tbsp cooking oil (for browning, optional)

Instructions

1. Brown (optional but flavorful)

  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Brown the backbone pieces on all sides for 2–3 minutes per side.
  • Transfer them to your slow cooker.

(You can skip this step if you’re in a hurry, but it adds color and flavor.)

2. Add Aromatics

  • Scatter chopped onion and garlic over the meat.
  • Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • Pour in broth, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.

3. Slow Cook

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8–9 hours
    or on HIGH for about 4–5 hours,
    until the meat easily pulls away from the bone.

4. Finish & Serve

  • Skim off any excess fat if desired.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning — add more salt, pepper, or vinegar to taste.
  • Serve with:
    • White rice or mashed potatoes
    • Collard or turnip greens
    • Cornbread or hot sauce on the side

💡 Optional Variations

  • Add 1 cup diced tomatoes or a little tomato paste for a stew-style dish.
  • Add lima beans, field peas, or pinto beans during the last 2 hours for a full meal.
  • Drop in a bay leaf or a few red pepper flakes for extra depth.

🕰️ Leftovers

The bones and juices make an excellent base for beans or greens the next day. Just skim the fat, add fresh vegetables or beans, and simmer another hour.

Before shopping at the Town Market grocery, I had just come off I 95. After the Town Market I headed on to Hinnant Vineyards and bought six bottles, mixed, of Scuppernong and Muscadine juice (not wine). *I seem to recall that Mary Ann likes the Scuppernong. Only about $6 each.

After Hinnant Vineyards I looked for the shortest route to Nahunta Pork Center and that didn’t take long.

At Nahunta Pork Center, I bought three things: some seasoning meat, some hard pork rinds, and …?

After Nahunta, I headed to the Longhorn Restaurant in Goldsboro, but I did stop at a church along the way, to get further directions and then noted that they had a Little Lending Library (maybe not that specific brand), but I switched out books. I left them the ABC-Z book and I took one with the Pirate Black Beard.

At Longhorn I didn’t have my usual, but ordered the Chicken Tenders, and Fruit Salad with Raspberry Vinagrette, the Shrimp & Lobster Chowder and I ate the whole loaf of appetizer bread. I think at home I figured out that I had probably eaten about 1,300+ calories in that one meal.

I did stop by the Wayne County Main Library and when I got to Newton Grove, I first stopped at the First Citizens Bank to cash a check, and then headed to the Pharmacy (their sign missing, but Elsie the Cow painted on the brick from years ago) and had a one scoop ice cream for $2. It was some kind of chocolate & coffee mixture. Delicious. *And recall they routinely give a generous scoop (more like 1.5 or 2 scoops) and the price is exactly $2, not $2 & tax.