Osso buco - the perfect winter meal in the slow cooker

veal shanks

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork shanks

Chicken thighs are leaner and pork shanks are less expensive.

white wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic wine

💰Cheaper: broth

Non-alcoholic wine retains flavor without alcohol.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth is lighter and water with seasoning is cost-effective.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and margarine is often cheaper.

Welcome viewers and introduce the recipe for osso buco using beef shanks.

Apply olive oil to the beef shanks as a binder.

Season the beef shanks generously with kosher salt and black pepper.

Mention the bone marrow in the beef shanks and its flavor.

Decide to smoke the beef shanks for extra flavor instead of searing them first.

Set the smoker to a low temperature of 225°F (107°C) and smoke the beef for 90 minutes.

While the beef is smoking, dice the carrots and two small onions.

Prepare 800 g of diced tomatoes and add them to the mix.

Add 1/4 cup of red wine (or half a cup if desired) to the mixture.

Include tomato paste and 1 cup of beef stock in the mixture.

Add thyme and rosemary for herbs, but do not add more salt and pepper since the beef is already seasoned.

After 90 minutes of smoking, check the beef for color and fat rendering.

Transfer the smoked beef shanks to a slow cooker to save on fuel and cooking costs.

Set the slow cooker to low for approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Check the slow cooker occasionally and stir the mixture as needed.

After 7 to 8 hours, check if the meat is tender and falling off the bone.

Remove the bones from the cooked osso buco and mix the meat with the vegetables.

Serve the osso buco with pasta or mashed potatoes, as preferred.

Add Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: