Braised Beef Shanks
Braised Beef Shanks are delicious and easy to prepare. You can find them in the beef section of the grocery store or ask your butcher to cut them for you. They are not expensive and include the bones with the marrow inside. As they cook, the marrow mixes with the sauce and becomes rich and savory. Complete the meal by serving them over mashed potatoes with a side of sauteed green beans.
This recipe begins in a skillet, where you will brown the beef shanks. Then, all gets transferred to a slow-cooker to braise for several hours. The result is a rich and flavorful meal with very little effort. The braising process transforms the simplest ingredients into something quite special.
What are beef shanks?
The shank is a cut of beef taken from the lower leg of a cow. It is usually somewhat tough and needs to be cooked for a few hours before it becomes tender. It is can be used in soups, stews and braising recipes. Shanks are rich in flavor, due to the marrow of the bone mixing with the braising liquid during cooking. They can be found in the meat section of the grocery store or by asking your a butcher at the meat counter.
Braised Beef Shanks Recipe
What’s needed?
- 2 pounds beef shanks
- salt and pepper
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried ground sage
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
How to make Braised Beef Shanks?
- Begin by generously sprinkling salt and pepper on both sides of the beef shanks.
- Add one tablespoon of canola oil to a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the shanks for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. The shanks should be golden brown after searing. Place the shanks in the bottom of a slow cooker set to low heat.
- In the same skillet you used to sear the meat, add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the sauce over the beef shanks in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. The meat will fall away from the bone and the marrow will soften.
- Remove the bones from the slow cooker and break the meat into large chunks. Mix the marrow into the sauce to make it thick, rich, and robust. The aroma is amazing. Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable of your choice. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Serve the Braised Beef Shanks over mashed potatoes with a side of veggies. I served it with green beans sauteed in butter with slivered almonds. My family thought this robust recipe was a winner. So simple and absolutely delicious!
For more of the best slow-cooker beef dinners, check out these recipes:
- Slow-Cooker Beef and Brussels Sprouts Stew
- Tangy Beef and Cabbage
- Slow-Cooker Mushroom Meatloaf
- Hearty Crockpot Casserole
- Slow-Cooker Sesame Beef with Jasmine Rice
I invite you to make Braised Beef Shanks for your family. When you try this amazing recipe, be sure to leave a comment letting me know how much you enjoyed it. It’s easy to love this hearty, flavorful meal!
Braised Beef Shanks
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef shanks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried ground sage
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, optional
Instructions
- Begin by generously sprinkling salt and pepper on both sides of the beef shanks.
- Add one tablespoon of canola oil to a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the shanks for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. The shanks should be golden brown after searing. Place the shanks in the bottom of a slow cooker set to low heat.
- In the same skillet you used to sear the meat, add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the sauce over the beef shanks in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. The meat will fall away from the bone and the marrow will soften.
- Remove the bones from the slow-cooker and break the meat into large chunks. Mix the marrow into the sauce to make it thick, rich, and robust. The aroma is amazing. Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable of your choice. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Equipment
- 1 skillet
- 1 5-quart slow-cooker