Beef shanks are not everyone’s cup of tea to cook with as they are tough meat. It comes from the leg bone of the animal and is relatively lean. With the proper technique, instruments and cooking methods like the low and slow, you can have the perfect braised beef shank recipe packed with flavors, falling-off-the-bone tender meat, and rich meaty sauce.
Beef shank meat can get quite dry, so braising them in liquid is the ideal way to cook it. It helps absorb flavors and moisture, giving you juicy and tender cooked meat for a perfect dinner night. Try these 11 rich and meaty beef shank recipes that will give you protein fill and keep you warm and cozy in the winter.
1. Osso Bucco
This traditional Osso Bucco uses braised beef shanks, making it the ultimate pocket-friendly recipe. The braised beef is delicious, tender, and juicy. When paired with a side of white rice or mashed potatoes, this dish turns into a hearty combo meal. Pair it with red wine and take your food to another level.
2. Braised Beef Shank with Wine and Tarragon
This amazing braised beef shank recipe is literally a taste of heaven. The beef shank is first browned on a skillet in olive oil. It is then baked in the oven in a mixture of sauteed onions and celery with marsala wine and beef broth. After it’s done, the meat will pull apart easily, and the marrow will be succulent. Pair it with your favorite side dishes like veggies or mashed potatoes, and enjoy it to your heart’s content.
3. Red Wine-Braised Beef Shanks Recipe
The braised beef shank recipe you were waiting for is here. It makes for the perfect winter meal to warm you up. The beef shank is first braised in a rich red wine with onions and carrots, with plenty of flavors and seasonings like thyme and bay leaves.
When the meat becomes tender and completely cooked, the rest of the braising liquid is blended with the veggies to become a thick, pureed sauce. In only four hours, you’ll have a hearty, rich meal with fall-of-the-bone tender meat that’ll have you licking your fingers clean.
4. Smoked Beef Shank
This smoked beef shank is the perfect dish to cook up during family holidays. Invite everyone over because it will fill around twelve hungry stomachs. The meat is seasoned with a generous amount of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
The beef shank is smoked on the smoker and infused with the wonderful flavors of oak and cherry, giving it a rich earthy undertone. Braised in wine and onions, the result is a scrumptious beef shank shredded and served with a rich sauce.
5. Spiced Braised Beef Shanks
This spiced braised beef recipe is so good that you’ll be begging for seconds. Thick and saucy, this dish is all about spicing it up with various seasonings. Add onions, celery, and tomato paste, and then put it on low flame for hours to cook. When the meat becomes tender, that’s when the flavorful magic happens. Serve it with a mix of parsley and orange zest for an added kick.
6. Beer Braised Beef Shank with Garlic Grits
Packed with intense flavors and served with a thick sauce, this beer-braised beef is our absolute favorite. The large list of ingredients may be daunting, but this dish comes together quickly and easily. Season the meat first and cook it in a skillet. Then transfer it to the baking dish along with veggies, and cook it. The meat will come out juicy and tender and instantly make your mouth water.
7. Roasted Beef Shank
Searching for ideas to make a delicious family dinner? Try this beef shank recipe that will stun you with its flavors and give your taste buds a treat to remember. Let it cook slowly, or toss it in the oven; the result will be a juicy, deletable roast that will make everyone happy. Make sure to brown your meat first. Paired with a vegetable medley, it’s absolutely delicious.
8. Chinese Braised Beef Shank
This Chinese-style braised beef shank is nothing like the others. It is served cold after being chilled in the fridge. This Chinese restaurant staple is full of flavor thanks to aromatic herbs and liquid seasonings like soy sauce and Shaoxing rice wine, perfect as an appetizer or delicious as a topping on noodles.
9. Nihari (Beef Shank Stew)
This Indian beef shank recipe has a smooth and silky gravy with bits and chunks of meat. The recipe originates from the Mughal era and is served with naan, khameeri roti, or phulka. Flour thickens the flavorful gravy, and the spice blend gives it a pungent taste. This beef shank stew is worth trying at least once in your life, especially if you’re a fan of Indian food.
10. Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Beef Shank
This delicious beef shank recipe is prepared in five hours, but the wait is definitely worth it. It is a keto and low-carb recipe with flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The meat is seasoned with onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and left to slow cook in a cooker. It is then seasoned again with dried herbs to take the flavor profile up a notch. You’ll have a plate full of flavorful meat that’s incredibly tender.
11. Braised Beef Shank Ragu
This recipe is not what you call a “quick fix” dinner, but it’s a recipe that will provide you with a hearty meal with the least bit of effort and time. With this braised beef shank Ragu, you get delicious, succulent marrow, tender and juicy meat, and Ragu, a flavorful sauce. It is served with pappardelle pasta. The beef is first braised and then left on a low setting in the oven to cook slowly. And voilà! Serve, enjoy and save the leftovers in the fridge to enjoy again.
