Description
Classic Beef Osso Buco is the kind of easy recipe that turns a cozy dinner into something truly memorable. This rich, slow-braised beef dish is perfect for dinner ideas, comfort food cravings, and special family meals, with tender beef shanks cooked in a savory tomato and vegetable sauce until fork-tender and deeply flavorful.
Ingredients
4 beef shanks, about 1 1/2 inches thick
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional
Instructions
1. Pat the beef shanks dry with paper towels and season them all over with salt and black pepper.
2. Dredge the beef shanks lightly in the flour, shaking off any extra.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the beef shanks for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer them to a plate.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
6. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more.
7. Pour in the white wine and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 2 minutes.
8. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir well.
9. Return the beef shanks to the pot, nestling them into the liquid.
10. Cover and bake at 325°F for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the beef is very tender.
11. Remove the thyme stems, rosemary stem, and bay leaves.
12. Spoon the sauce over the beef, garnish with parsley and lemon zest if using, and serve hot.
Notes
Brown the beef well before braising because that deep color builds a richer sauce.
Keep the pot covered tightly so the beef stays moist and becomes tender instead of drying out.
Serve with mashed potatoes, polenta, or noodles to soak up every bit of the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 beef shank with sauce
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 52g
- Cholesterol: 155mg