Slow Cooker Osso Buco Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 pieces of veal shanks (approximately 2 pounds)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme
• Gremolata (optional for serving)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together flour, salt, and pepper. Pat the veal shanks dry with a paper towel, then dredge shanks in flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the veal shanks and brown on all sides,about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the browned veal shanks from the skillet and place them in the slow cooker.
3. Melt the butter in the same skillet and add the chopped onions, stirring frequently until the onions are soft and starting to caramelize, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in the beef broth and white wine to the skillet, and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet (deglazing).
5. Pour the beef broth and white wine mixture over the veal shanks in the slow cooker. Add bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
7. Remove the veal shanks from the slow cooker and tent with foil to keep warm while finishing the sauce.
8. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs from the slow cooker. Skim any excess fat/oil from the surface or use a gravy separator to separate the fat from the liquid. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat.
9. In a small bowl, mix together the finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Serve the gremolata on top of the osso buco, or on the side.
10. Serve the osso buco with the sauce and gremolata, alongside mashed potatoes, polenta or parmesan risotto. Enjoy!

Verdict

This slow cooker osso buco recipe is easy and delicious! The meat is tender and falls off the bone, while the sauce is rich and flavorful. The gremolata adds a bright and fresh herb flavor that balances out the richness of the dish. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or cheesy risotto for a comforting and satisfying meal.