This recipe for Osso Buco makes a fork-tender veal shank slow-cooked in the oven with red wine and a few other ingredients. A simple recipe that needs only 20 minutes to prep and about 2 hours to bake. Served over mashed potato and sides for an inviting meal.
You’ve heard of lamb shank? Well, osso buco or ossobuco is veal shank cut into portions.
Veal is a much larger animal compared to lamb, therefore these shanks are usually larger in size. So, they have to be cut into steaks with the hollow bone in the middle. ‘Osso’ meaning ‘bone’ and ‘buco’ meaning ‘hole’. Hollow bone!
This bone has marrow inside, which when slow-cooked gives the gravy that extra richness and flavor that’s absolutely amazing.
The shank is a strong hard-working muscle which means it takes longer to break down. So, the best way to cook this would be slow cooking either on the stovetop, oven, or slow cooker. Another option is pressure cooking in an instant pot or pressure cooker. This recipe can be modified for all types of cooking methods and I will leave the details for you in the notes.
This is a fairly low-risk dish — if I really think about it, perhaps the timing of the cooking of the osso buco would be the biggest pitfall. If it’s not cooked enough, it can make the meat have a gummy consistency, and if you overcook the dish, the meat will be destroyed.
Osso…slow…cooking for this beautiful, flavorful cut. The name Osso Buco literally means “bone with a hole,” referring to the marrow-filled center of the shank. This cut of meat must be slowly braised until the connective tissue breaks down for a fork-tender, gelatin-rich result. If youre looking for a slow-cooked meal that you can savor all week long, osso buco is the perfect cut!
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Cook the beef shanks only when completely thawed or it will cook unevenly
- A Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot works best for such slow-cooking dishes. Alternatively, you can transfer to the slow cooker and cook for 6 to 8 hours on low.
- When searing the meat do not make haste to turn it over. If the meat resists movement it means it needs a minute more.
- Do not skip on searing the meat as this will add a nice depth of flavor from the caramelization achieved.
- If you have excess moisture in the finished dish – you can remove the meat from the pan. Then cook the sauce over medium-high heat until it is reduced significantly. This way the sauce gets thicker and you don’t over-cook the meat.
- Cook on low and stir often making sure to add water if necessary to prevent the dish from burning on the bottom. Cooking on high for a long time will only result in tough, not fork-tender meat
- To cook the beef shanks on the stovetop
- Follow all the processes as above but instead of covering with a foil and transferring it to the oven. Cover and continue to cook on low for 2 hours.
- Make sure to stir every 15 to 20 minutes making sure there is enough braising liquid. If necessary add 1/4 to 12 cup water as needed
- The lamb shanks on the stovetop can take between 1.30 to 2.5 hours of cooking depending on the heat.
- Garnish with chopped parsley
- To cook the shanks in a slow cooker.
- Sear the meat on the stovetop and transfer it to the slow cooker.
- To the same pan, saute the veggies until tender then, add the other ingredients except for the broth.
- Boil the red wine for two minutes then transfer to the slow cooker over the shanks.
- Top with the broth and any other ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until fork-tender.
- Garnish with chopped parsley
The Famous Italian OSSO BUCO – for Family or Holiday Dinner. Recipe by Always Yummy!
FAQ
How do you know when osso buco is done?
Can you overcook beef shank?
How long can you keep cooked Osso Bucco?
Is Osso Bucco tough?
How to cook osso buco?
Cook osso buco low and slow, and it results in bites of melt-in-your-mouth tender meat. The slow cooking method is essential to breaking down the hardworking, tough upper portion of the leg. The meat can be stringy and tough if you do not cook it long enough.
Is osso buco difficult to make?
The Osso Buco recipe, although it requires a long cooking time, is not a difficult dish to make. What makes it truly special is its tenderness and unique flavor. Osso buco is typically served with risotto alla Milanese or with polenta or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
How do you know if osso buco is tough?
The meat can be stringy and tough if you do not cook it long enough. A simple way to check is to remove the osso buco from the oven after a couple of hours and use a fork to gently prod the meat.
How do you cook chicken osso buco?
This Chicken Osso Buco is rich, comforting and over the top full of flavor! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse chicken thighs, pat dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow bowl, and dredge each thigh lightly in flour making sure to shake off the excess.