This is The Best Osso Buco recipe ever, and it’s my most requested dish from family and friends. Rich and hearty, it reminds me of the osso buco I’ve enjoyed in Italy but made easily in your own kitchen. Meaty veal shanks cooked low and slow with vegetables, dry white wine, savory chicken stock, and a pinch of fresh thyme if you have it. This dish pairs well with risotto, polenta, or pasta.
When purchasing the veal shanks, opt for well-marbled cuts for maximum flavor. If veal isn’t available, beef shanks are a great substitute. You’ll also need onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, dry white wine, and chicken stock. Now, here’s the secret ingredient: pancetta, which adds savory richness to the dish.
This comforting dish is easier to make than you might think. Start by heating a Dutch oven and adding the diced pancetta. Allow the pancetta to render until crisp. Remove it, leaving the fat behind, then brown the veal shanks in the rendered fat. Next, add the diced vegetables and sauté until softened, then stir in minced garlic and thyme. Return the pancetta and shanks to the pot. Add wine and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook in a preheated oven for 1 to 1 ½ hours. While it cooks, prepare the gremolata – a mix of minced lemon zest, garlic, and parsley. Now, all you have to do is wait. Once cooked, the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. Serve it over creamy risotto, fluffy polenta, or pasta, drizzled with the sauce and topped with gremolata.
To make The Best Osso Buco, you will need the following ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 325 °F.
Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add 4 ounces diced pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Once the pancetta is crispy and most of the fat has rendered, remove the pancetta and transfer it to a plate covered with paper towels. Set aside. If needed, drain off all but two tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
Place flour on a large, shallow plate. Season the veal shanks well with salt and black pepper and lightly dredge in flour. Shake off any excess flour.
Place the meat in the hot pan with hot fat. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the shanks until well browned, about 5 minutes per side.
Remove the shanks to a plate. Set aside.
Add 1 diced onion, ½ cup diced carrots, and ½ cup diced celery to the Dutch oven. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped garlic and the minced fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme). Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables just start to brown, about 10 minutes.
Return the shanks and pancetta to the pan. Add in 1 cup dry white wine. Pour in enough stock to come a little more than halfway up the sides of the shanks, 1 to 2 cups. Bring to a simmer.
Cover the pan with a lid and transfer it to the oven. Cook until the meat is tender, 1 to 1 ½ hours.
In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley, 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest and 2 minced garlic cloves. Transfer the gremolata to a separate small serving dish.
Serve the osso buco on top of risotto or polenta, sprinkled with gremolata.
Get ready to delight your taste buds with The Best Osso Buco recipe! Tender veal shanks braised in a rich, flavorful broth with dry white wine make for an unforgettable meal. Try out this recipe and share your feedback in the comments!
Superb family favorite
Delicious
Delicious. I made this for my family dinner, and everyone loved it. The flavors reminded me of our trip to Italy last summer. Will make it again for sure.
OMG, this Osso Buco is absolutely epic! My wife and I whipped it up for our Friday dinner, and the kids went nuts! The flavors were just like the stuff we had in Italy on our honeymoon. Super simple to make, too. Gonna make this a regular! 🔥🍽️
I made this osso buco for my family last Sunday. It reminded us of our trip to Italy. The rich flavors and tender meat were a hit. Everyone asked for seconds.
This recipe is simply great! I cooked The Best Osso Buco for a family gathering and everyone loved it. The flavors were just like what I had in Rome. The meat was so tender, and the pancetta really made it special. Can't wait to make it again for friends!
Superb! This osso buco made my family dinner feel like a celebration. I felt so proud when they kept asking for seconds!
Perfect family dish
Delicious
Man, this Osso Buco is unreal! Made it for my fam last week and they couldn't stop raving. Tastes just like the stuff I had in Italy, but way simpler. The pancetta adds a vibe that’s just dope. Def gonna make it again!
Superb! Made this for my buddy's bachelor party. Everyone was blown away! The rich flavor totally brought back memories from my trip to Tuscany. Can’t believe how easy it was to whip up too. Definitely a keeper!
Absolutely delicious meal!
This Osso Buco brought back memories of my Italian honeymoon! So delish!
Delicious! I made this for my family and they couldn’t get enough. Reminds me of Italy.
Delicious. My husband loved it, and it reminded me of the family dinners when we traveled to Italy. Simple yet so rich in flavor.
