Osso Buco Slow Cook Recipe

This delicious slow cooked osso buco is one of the best meals you will ever have. The braised veal shanks are incredibly flavorful and bursting with authentic Italian tastes.

Any meat lover will go crazy for this dish. Osso buco is so tender and irresistible that it is a complete special occasion dish. This is one of those perfect recipes that is so full of love and care that you only pull it out on birthdays and anniversaries! However, we promise that our slow-cooking osso buco is so easy to make that you can really whip it up any day you get a craving for a perfect Italian dish.

Easy Osso Buco Recipe

Osso buco is a traditional meat meal that has been around for decades. Ossobuco, also called osso bucco, is typically made with veal shanks but many people also make it with beef shanks or even pork shanks. Our recipe sticks to the traditional veal shank for the most authentic version possible.

The fork tender meat does take a while to cook however it is pretty hand-off cooking. Once you have the veal shanks simmering in the flavorful broth, the recipe pretty much makes itself! All you need to do is wait.

Osso Buco is traditionally served with mashed potatoes, risotto or some simple pasta. Lemon zest or fresh parsley is often used as a garnish to make the dish have a pop of flavor and color. But even if you just eat your osso buco plain, on a plate all by itself, you will be amazed. This dish is truly exceptional!

Ingredients for Osso Buco

Here is a quick look at the ingredients you will need to make this osso buco recipe. The exact quantities are listed in the recipe below but this will give you a good idea of what you will need to make this perfect recipe.

• Veal shanks
• Flour – All purpose flour is all you need!
• Olive oil – Olive oil is the best for quickly browning the meat.
• Butter – Butter adds a little creaminess to the sauce and will help bind with the flour to thicken the sauce as it cooks.
• Bacon – Thick cut bacon adds tons of flavor to the osso buco recipe as well as some delicious fat.
• Onion – A medium white or yellow onion will work.
• Carrot – You can keep the peel on the carrot, just make sure to wash it well!
• Celery – One large stalk of celery adds a surprising amount of flavor to the broth
• Garlic – Three cloves garlic will give you about a tablespoon of minced garlic.
• White wine – A dry white wine, like pinot grigio, will work well. Don’t forget to get an extra bottle to drink along with your gourmet meal.
• Chicken broth – Low sodium chicken stock or chicken broth is perfect for this sauce.
• Tomato paste – A little tomato paste brightens up the broth and gives it a perfect tomato flavor.
• Bay leaf – Make sure to remove the bay leaf before serving!
• Dried Thyme – Fresh thyme is also good to use to make osso buco.
• Salt and pepper – You always need salt and pepper when cooking something incredible!

Variations

While this recipe for osso buco is super yummy, here are a few ingredient substitutions and variations you may want to try.

• Use beef stock in place of chicken broth for a more intense, meaty flavor. Veal stock is also a good option.
• Replace the white wine with red wine. A lighter red win, like pinot noir, will work well.
• Add lemon zest to the occo buco sauce at the end of cooking for a bold, bright flavor that goes well with the hearty meat.
• Replace the bacon with pancetta for an authentic Italian twist.
• Make a gremolata by mixing minced parsley, lemon zest, and garlic together in a small bowl. This mix is sprinkled over the osso bucco when it is served. It will add a pop of flavor that is unbeatable!

How to Make Osso Buco

Take a quick look at how to put this recipe together. The recipe card below has even more details for you, too!

1. Prepare the meat: Dry the raw osso buco slices with paper towel then dredge them in the flour. Sear the floured veal in the extra virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Brown each side of the veal quickly then move the seared meat to a separate plate and set aside.
2. Cook the bacon: Add the chopped bacon to the pot and cook until the bacon is brown and crispy. Keep the excess fat from the bacon in the pot.
3. Add the veggies: Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot and stir well. Cook for about 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
4. Make the broth: Add the wine and chicken stock to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the tomato paste then add thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
5. Add the meat: Add the seared veal back into the pot and lower the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook the osso buco for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The osso bucco is cooked when the meat easily falls apart under a fork.
6. Serve: Serve the osso buco with your favorite accompaniments. Top with a little freshly ground black pepper, some minced fresh thyme, chopped parsley or a gremolata.

How to Store Osso Buco

If you happen to have leftover osso buco, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can gently reheat the meat in the microwave or return the whole dish, sauce and all, to a pot and bring it back to a simmer. Simmer the meat for about 5 minutes to heat it all the way through. This is a great recipe to reheat for lunch the next day!