The Classic Ossobuco Recipe: Hearty Italian Comfort on a Plate

Milan’s hearty ossobuco recipe brings a rustic charm to your kitchen with tender braised veal shanks that melt like butter.

Robust flavors from white wine and aromatic vegetables create a delectable symphony on your plate.

Classic Italian culinary traditions shine through each carefully simmered bite.

Slow-cooking techniques transform this robust dish into a luxurious experience that speaks directly to comfort food lovers.

Rich marrow nestled within the bone adds profound depth and complexity to every forkful.

Fragrant herbs and a splash of citrusy gremolata brighten the intense meat preparation.

Ossobuco Serving Advice With Rich Sauce

• Choose thick, high-quality veal shanks with rich marrow for the most tender and flavorful ossobuco.
• Brown the meat thoroughly to develop a deep, caramelized exterior that locks in incredible flavor and creates a delicious base for the sauce.
• Keep an eye on the braising liquid during cooking, adding more broth if it reduces too quickly to prevent burning and maintain moisture.
• Allow the ossobuco to simmer slowly on low heat, which helps break down tough connective tissues and transform the meat into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
• Sprinkle fresh gremolata (chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic) just before serving to add brightness and a zesty contrast to the rich, slow-cooked meat.

Ossobuco Reheats Rich and Slow-Cooked

• Store leftover ossobuco in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled ossobuco to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, where it can maintain quality for up to 3 months.
• Warm gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Check meat tenderness after reheating and pair with fresh sides to restore the dish's original deliciousness.

Bold Sips For Ossobuco

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino to complement the rich, tender ossobuco meat, enhancing its deep flavors and cutting through the richness.
• Match with Creamy Polenta: Create a velvety base that absorbs the savory braising liquid, providing a smooth contrast to the meat's texture and elevating the overall dining experience.
• Brighten with Gremolata Topping: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic over the dish to add a zesty, herbaceous note that cuts through the meat's intensity and brings a vibrant freshness.
• Serve Alongside Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a tangy, refreshing counterpoint to the rich, hearty ossobuco, balancing the meal's heavy elements.

Hearty Ossobuco Dinner Riffs

• Veal-Free Option: Replace veal ossobuco with lamb or beef shanks for a similar rich, hearty flavor profile that maintains the dish's traditional slow-cooking method.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch instead of flour for browning, and ensure all broth and seasonings are certified gluten-free to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Low-Sodium Version: Swap regular broth for a low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth, and reduce added salt, using herbs like thyme and parsley to enhance natural meat flavors without excess sodium.
• Instant Pot Express: Convert the recipe to a pressure cooker method, reducing cooking time to approximately 45 minutes while maintaining the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of traditional ossobuco.

FAQs

• What exactly is ossobuco?

Ossobuco is a traditional Italian dish featuring cross-cut veal shanks braised slowly until the meat becomes incredibly tender and falls off the bone, typically from the leg area.

• Why do you need to sear the meat before braising?

Searing helps develop a rich, deep flavor through caramelization and creates a delicious golden-brown crust that locks in the meat’s natural juices and enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Can I use a different type of meat if veal is unavailable?

Yes, you can substitute veal with beef shanks or lamb shanks, which will provide a similar cooking experience and tender result, though the flavor profile will slightly differ.

• How do I know when the ossobuco is perfectly cooked?

The meat is ready when it becomes extremely tender and easily falls apart when gently prodded with a fork, typically after about 1.5 hours of slow, low-heat braising.

Ossobuco Recipe Slow Braised Italian Tradition

• Quick Weekend Gourmet Delight: Elevate your home cooking with this restaurant-quality ossobuco that transforms a simple dinner into a sophisticated culinary experience.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Requires just basic cooking skills and minimal ingredients, making it perfect for home cooks wanting to impress without complex techniques.
• Comfort Food with Elegance: Slow-cooked method creates incredibly tender meat that literally falls off the bone, delivering rich, deep flavors that warm your soul and satisfy hunger.
• Time-Saving One-Pot Wonder: Uses a single skillet for the entire cooking process, reducing cleanup time and simplifying meal preparation while delivering maximum taste with minimal kitchen work.

Meat and Wine Blend for Ossobuco

• Ossobuco: Meaty veal shanks with bone marrow, rich and flavorful, best when fresh and from a quality butcher.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance meat's natural taste, use kosher or sea salt for better flavor.

• Onion: Base flavor for the sauce, provides sweetness and depth.
• Rosemary Sprigs: Adds earthy, pine-like herbal notes, fresh sprigs preferred over dried.

• Olive Oil: Creates golden sear on meat, helps develop rich caramelization.
• Vegetable Broth: Provides moisture and additional depth of flavor, low-sodium recommended for better control of salt content.

Instructions For Ossobuco Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Meat

Season the ossobuco with salt, creating a perfect base for deep flavor.

Pat the meat dry to ensure excellent browning.

Step 2: Sear The Meat

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Drizzle olive oil and sear the ossobuco on both sides until a rich golden brown develops.

This step locks in incredible flavors and creates a beautiful exterior crust.

Remove meat and set aside temporarily.

Step 3: Build Aromatic Base

In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions until they become soft and translucent.

The onions will release sweet and savory notes that enhance the entire dish.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

• Ossobuco
• Rosemary sprigs

Return the seared meat to the skillet and add fresh rosemary sprigs.

The herbs will infuse the meat with a delightful woodland essence.

Step 5: Create Braising Liquid

Pour vegetable broth into the skillet, ensuring the ossobuco is mostly submerged.

The liquid will help tenderize the meat and create a delicious sauce.

Step 6: Slow Cook To Perfection

Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for approximately 1.5 hours.

The meat should become incredibly tender and nearly falling off the bone.

Monitor occasionally, adding more broth if the liquid reduces too much.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Plate the ossobuco with your favorite accompaniments like creamy mashed potatoes, luxurious risotto, or crusty artisan bread.

The rich, melt-in-your-mouth meat will be the star of your dining experience.

Ossobuco Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Ossobuco brings Milan’s rich culinary tradition to dinner tables with tender braised veal shanks slow-cooked in white wine and aromatic vegetables. Succulent meat falling off the bone promises a luxurious meal that connects home cooks with generations of authentic Italian comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 ossobuco (veal shanks)
• 2 cups vegetable broth

Aromatic Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 12 sprigs of fresh rosemary

Seasoning:

• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a robust cooking vessel and delicately season the veal shanks with a sprinkle of salt, allowing the meat to absorb the seasoning.
2. Warm a thin layer of olive oil in the pan, creating a sizzling surface to develop a rich caramelized exterior on the ossobuco, turning to achieve an even golden-brown crust on all sides.
3. Transfer the browned meat to a temporary plate, then introduce finely chopped onions into the same pan, stirring until they become soft and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
4. Reintroduce the seared veal shanks to the pan, nestling them among the onions and gently laying fresh rosemary sprigs across the top for an herbaceous infusion.
5. Carefully pour vegetable broth around the meat, ensuring the liquid reaches approximately two-thirds of the way up the shanks, creating a moisture-rich braising environment.
6. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and allow the ossobuco to slowly transform, periodically checking the liquid levels and replenishing with additional broth if the pan becomes dry.
7. After approximately 90 minutes, verify the meat’s tenderness by testing its ability to effortlessly separate from the bone.
8. Plate the ossobuco alongside creamy mashed potatoes, al dente risotto, or a rustic slice of crusty bread to capture the luxurious braising liquid.

Notes

• Choose thick, high-quality veal shanks with marrow for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Patting the meat dry before searing helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in juices.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pot like a cast-iron Dutch oven to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning.
• For a deeper flavor profile, deglaze the pan with white wine before adding vegetable broth.
• Low and slow cooking is crucial – resist the urge to rush the braising process to ensure melt-in-your-mouth meat.
• Customize the dish by adding root vegetables like carrots or parsnips during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Gluten-free option: Serve with cauliflower mash or polenta instead of traditional sides.
• Make-ahead friendly: This dish tastes even better the next day, so consider preparing it in advance for richer flavors.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg