I have some truths to tell you today. The first truth is that beef shanks are completely underrated. The second truth is that these recipes are going to change your dinner game forever.
If you didn’t know, shanks are the leg portion of the cow, which usually means they are tough and full of connective tissue. But here is the secret. If you treat them right with a long and slow cook time, they become the most flavorful cut of meat you can put on your table.
Here are 23 recipes that are absolute winners.
1. Smoked Beef Shank
The only downside to this incredibly impressive beef shank is that you need a pellet grill or a smoker. But if you have one then you are in luck.
This is honestly some of the best beef you will ever try. If you do not have a smoker then I guess you need to make friends with someone who does. Introducing them to this recipe is a great first step to friendship.
2. Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Beef Shank
Garlic and herb seasoned anything is just a culinary fact of deliciousness. So you can imagine just how tantalizing this beef shank turns out to be.
The sharpness of the garlic mellows out during the cooking process and leaves only deliciousness behind.
And the flavor of the herbs infuses right into the meat. So the meat is super soft and tender but it also tastes utterly fabulous.
3. Red Wine Braised Beef Shank
This meal is made for a Norse god or at least someone with a Viking appetite. It features Thor’s hammer beef shanks.
This is a type of shank with extra bone protruding from the top so it looks a lot like a meaty Mjolnir. Luckily that extra bone also provides extra flavor.
It is divine when combined with red wine and carrots and herbs and onions and garlic and tomato paste. Serve this with your favorite style of potato and just enjoy.
4. Traditional Vietnamese Beef Pho
I love and love and love Pho. It is really hard to beat in my book as far as noodle soups go.
Ramen is up there too but pho is just so light and delicate and delicious. And it absolutely explodes with flavor despite its lightness.
Every ingredient from the rice noodles to the meat to the spices is important. They all work together to create the perfect soup.
5. Braised Chile Colorado Beef Shanks
You can add a hint of spice to your menu with these delicious Chile Colorado beef shanks.
Do not worry because they are not too spicy. This features simple braised beef served with a Chile Colorado sauce.
The sauce is made with guajillo and ancho chiles which are slightly less spicy than jalapeños. But they taste utterly delectable.
Plus the dish has plenty of other seasonings that will make your tastebuds sing. Serve everything with rice and dinner is ready.
6. Osso Bucco (Braised Beef Shank)
I only had osso bucco once until recently. I was lucky enough to try it in Italy where it originates and it was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth.
And then I found out just how easy it is to make at home. This dish is deliciously rustic yet also sort of fancy.
But beef shanks are not expensive relative to other beef cuts so you can impress your guests without taking out a second mortgage.
The shanks are braised in butter and beef stock and white wine. They are accompanied by onions and garlic and carrots and tomatoes.
Everything sits and simmers together for 5 hours and the result is tender and beefy and incredibly flavorful food heaven.
7. Beer Braised Beef Shank with Garlic Grits
Is there anything about this dish that does not sound good? I do not think so.
It has beer and beef and garlic and grits and each element is fantastic on its own.
Together it is like your mouth won tickets to the Superbowl or any other big exciting event you might only get to attend once in your life.
Every forkful and spoonful and fingerful bursts with richness and deliciousness.
8. Slow Cooker Osso Bucco
You know how English around the world is technically the same thing but due to accents and slang and dialects it is different?
Well that is kind of what this slow cooker osso bucco is.
You understand it to be the same thing as the first recipe but it is just different enough to get its own section.
So yes a few ingredients changed and the cooking method changed. But it is just as delicious and easy and worth trying.
9. Shredded Beef Taco Bar
Taco Tuesday will never be the same once you try this delicious taco bar. First there is the chile and beer braised shredded beef which is absolutely mouthwatering.
And you add pickled onions and lime crema and slaw and holy moly. And do not worry because all parts are included in the recipe.
10. Beef Shank Noodle Soup
You can never go wrong with a good noodle soup. And you know it will be good since this soup is like the lovechild of ramen and pho.
11. Cantonese Five-Spice Beef Shank
This recipe is stuffed with aromatic spices just like the Chinese spiced beef shank recipe. And a homemade soy sauce braising liquid takes the flavors over the top.
12. Slow Cooker Beef Shank Stew
This is the kind of comfort meal that sticks to your bones.
And I think it is better than traditional beef stew made with chuck because the shanks contain so much more deliciousness.
That is because of the bones and tendons and I am sorry to any queasy folks reading.
The tendons break down and add richness to the broth and the bone leeches out its marrow. So you get an even more beefy stew.
13. Braised Beef with Mixed Mushrooms
This is the kind of meal you want on a cold and wintry evening.
Everything about this earthy and meaty and satisfying dish screams warmth and coziness.
Oh and it is delicious. That is because it is chock full of rich mushrooms and red wine and broth and savory herbs and fragrant aromatics.
14. Nihari (Beef Shank Curry)
This Indian stew is so full of flavor it is like my suitcase on vacation because it is jam packed.
You would have to sit on it to close it if Nihari was my suitcase. That is how much yumminess is inside.
Every bite is decadent which is not a word I typically use for savory dishes.
15. Taiwanese Braised Beef Shank
Taiwanese beef shank is traditionally served in two ways but first it is braised in wine and water and soy sauce and aromatics and spices.
One way is to eat it cold as an appetizer. This sounds amazing because it really lets all the flavors shine. The other way is with noodles which is always a good idea.
16. Osso Bucco Braised Beef Shanks with Guinness
You get one delicious dinner when Italy and Ireland collide. And this Guinness braised osso bucco proves it.
It is a classic Italian dish with hearty Irish ingredients and flavors so basically it is really yummy.
17. Chinese Spiced Braised Beef Shank
If Chinese food is known for anything it is for flavor and plenty of it.
These spiced and braised beef shanks are no exception. The beef is already good on its own but everything else makes this dish exceptional.
It has Sichuan peppercorns and garlic and scallions and cardamom and star anise and ginger and fennel and more.
That is barely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to amazing ingredients.
18. Peppered Beef Shank in Red Wine
This dish tastes like the perfect mix of Chinese pepper steak and French beef bourguignon.
It is wonderfully lavish and utterly delectable.
19. Beef Shank Barbacoa
Barbacoa beef is one of my favorite Mexican dishes. It features super succulent meat braised in a sauce of chiles and herbs and broth and veggies.
This recipe is extra special because it uses Mexican beer in the braising liquid. After it cooks the meat is shredded and soaked in sauce.
Now you can use the barbacoa for tacos or burritos or just to eat alone because it is irresistible.
20. Pressure Cooker Beef Shank
The pressure cooker takes 5 hours of braising and shoves it into one hour.
And you still get a mouthwateringly tender beef shank dinner. You really and truly cannot beat that.
21. Pop’s Beef Vegetable Soup
This recipe is perfect for those nights when you want to feel like a kid again. It has barley and veggies and juicy beef so it is just like the canned soup you ate when you were little.
Except it is so much richer and more flavorful and all around better.
22. Braised Beef Shank Ragu
Did you know basic red meat filled pasta sauce is technically ragu? Yep because ragu only refers to a sauce made with meat and veggies.
But this braised beef shank ragu is exceptional and it has the best meat sauce that will ever grace your plate.
Every forkful features red wine braised beef and bone marrow and veggies. Also there are plenty of herbs and other aromatics.
It is thick and meaty with so much scrumptious flavor. Of course it takes a bit of time to make but every second is 100% worth it.
23. Red Braised Beef
This delicious dish gets its classic red color from a tantalizing mix of spices. But the star of this dish is red chili bean paste.
It imparts so much rich earthy umami to the beef. You will love it.
