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. Serve them over mashed potatoes with a side of sauteed green beans. I will definitely make this one again.
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.
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 pan 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 pan 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. The marrow will soften and mix into the sauce to make it thick, rich, and delicious. And the aroma is to die for.
Serve the beef and gravy over mashed potatoes with a side of veggies. I served it with green beans sauteed in butter with slivered almonds. My family thought this new recipe was a winner. I will certainly make it often. So simple and absolutely delicious!