Italian Osso Buco (Braised Veal Shank)

DifficultyIntermediate

Osso Buco is a classic Italian dish, featuring tender, slow-braised veal shanks simmered in a rich tomato and white wine sauce. The bone marrow melts into the sauce, creating a deep and luxurious flavor. Topped with fresh gremolata and traditionally served over saffron risotto or creamy polenta, this dish is an ultimate comfort food and a true Italian delicacy.

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Yields4 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time2 hrs 40 minsTotal Time3 hrs
For the Osso Buco
 4 veal shanks (about 1.5 inches thick)
 Salt and black pepper (to taste)
 ½ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
 3 tbsp olive oil
 2 tbsp unsalted butter
 1 medium onion, finely chopped
 2 carrots, diced
 2 celery stalks, diced
 3 cloves garlic, minced
 1 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
 1 ½ cups beef or veal stock
 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
 1 tbsp tomato paste
 1 tsp dried thyme
 1 tsp dried oregano
 1 bay leaf
 Zest of 1 lemon
 ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
For the Gremolata (Traditional Topping)
 1 clove garlic , minced
 Zest of 1 lemon
 ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
For Serving
 Saffron risotto or creamy polenta
 Crusty Italian bread (for soaking up the sauce)
Prepare the Veal Shanks
1

 

  1. Pat the veal shanks dry with paper towels.
  2. Season with salt and black pepper.
  3. Dredge in flour, shaking off any excess.
Sear the Veal
2

 

 

  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Sear the veal shanks for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
  3. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Aromatics
3

 

 

  1. In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery.
  2. Sauté for 5 minutes, until softened.
  3. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
Deglaze and Simmer
4

 

 

  1. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  2. Let it reduce for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, and lemon zest.
  4. Return the veal shanks to the pot, submerging them slightly in the sauce.
  5. Cover and simmer over low heat for 2-2.5 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
Make the Gremolata
5

 

 

  1. Mix garlic, lemon zest, and parsley in a small bowl.
  2. Set aside for garnish.
Serve and Enjoy
6

 

 

  1. Place a veal shank over saffron risotto or creamy polenta.
  2. Ladle the rich sauce over the top.
  3. Sprinkle generously with gremolata.
  4. Serve with crusty bread and a glass of red wine
Pro Tips
7

 

 

  • For extra depth of flavor, use veal stock instead of beef stock.
  • For a richer sauce, add a small knob of butter before serving.
  • For a deeper tomato flavor, roast the tomatoes before adding them.

 

Ingredients

For the Osso Buco
 4 veal shanks (about 1.5 inches thick)
 Salt and black pepper (to taste)
 ½ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
 3 tbsp olive oil
 2 tbsp unsalted butter
 1 medium onion, finely chopped
 2 carrots, diced
 2 celery stalks, diced
 3 cloves garlic, minced
 1 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
 1 ½ cups beef or veal stock
 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
 1 tbsp tomato paste
 1 tsp dried thyme
 1 tsp dried oregano
 1 bay leaf
 Zest of 1 lemon
 ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
For the Gremolata (Traditional Topping)
 1 clove garlic , minced
 Zest of 1 lemon
 ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
For Serving
 Saffron risotto or creamy polenta
 Crusty Italian bread (for soaking up the sauce)

Directions

Prepare the Veal Shanks
1

 

  1. Pat the veal shanks dry with paper towels.
  2. Season with salt and black pepper.
  3. Dredge in flour, shaking off any excess.
Sear the Veal
2

 

 

  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Sear the veal shanks for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
  3. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Aromatics
3

 

 

  1. In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery.
  2. Sauté for 5 minutes, until softened.
  3. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
Deglaze and Simmer
4

 

 

  1. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  2. Let it reduce for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, and lemon zest.
  4. Return the veal shanks to the pot, submerging them slightly in the sauce.
  5. Cover and simmer over low heat for 2-2.5 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
Make the Gremolata
5

 

 

  1. Mix garlic, lemon zest, and parsley in a small bowl.
  2. Set aside for garnish.
Serve and Enjoy
6

 

 

  1. Place a veal shank over saffron risotto or creamy polenta.
  2. Ladle the rich sauce over the top.
  3. Sprinkle generously with gremolata.
  4. Serve with crusty bread and a glass of red wine
Pro Tips
7

 

 

  • For extra depth of flavor, use veal stock instead of beef stock.
  • For a richer sauce, add a small knob of butter before serving.
  • For a deeper tomato flavor, roast the tomatoes before adding them.

Notes

Italian Osso Buco (Braised Veal Shank)
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