Simple Rustic Osso Buco

Serving osso buco with the veal shank bone.

Osso Buco is a hearty, rich braised veal recipe that’s perfect for chilly fall and winter days. It’s easy to make, just browning the veal shanks and quick sautéing the vegetables. Add the liquid and aromatics and slowly braise the rustic Osso Buco in the oven for a few hours. The results are spectacular.

vegetables in a bowl with dish towel

Savory Braised Veal Osso Buco.  I don’t think I need to say anything more.  I mean, it’s osso buco, right?  Just pour a glass of wine, pick up a fork and go to town.  No preamble, just eat!  At least that’s the way we attacked our plates.

mushrooms

It smelled so good that I was only able to snap a few shots before my very hungry family (fed up with my blogging antics) physically removed my lightbox and camera so we could devour dinner.  I’m sorry about that, but I did write down the recipe for you, so you can taunt your family with with the same tummy-grumbling aromas.

veal shanks
seared veal shanks

I will say two things about braising.  #1 –  In January and February, there is nothing more satisfying than a slow braise.  Meaty, warm and homey.  I just want to curl up on the couch with a bowl and spoon nestled in my lap and a glass of wine within easy reach.

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vegetables and tomato paste.

#2 – There is nothing simpler to make than a slow braise.  Brown the meat, saute the veg, add the broth, wine, beer or whatever liquid will cradle and love your dish and let the oven do the rest.

braising vegetables with wooden spoon.

I do have a “secret ingredient,” though.  Mushroom powder.  

mushroom powder

Essentially, it’s dried mushrooms that I spin through a spice grinder.  It intensifies the flavors in the broth for the Osso Buco and adds depth.  Fresh herbs and a sachet of spice help too.

Simple Rustic Osso Buco in a pot.

Serve with a sprinkle of gremolata to brighten the dish and make sure you’ve got plenty of crusty bread to sop up all the juices.  And don’t forget to scoop the marrow out of the bones — it’s the best part.

Enjoying veal osso buco with a glass of wine.

More braised meats and stews:

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3.84 from 6 votes

Simple Rustic Osso Buco

Osso Buco is rich and meaty, the sauce gets it’s unctuousness from the marrow bones of the veal.  If you’ve never sucked the marrow out of a bone… it’s like a beefy butter – and it’s fabulous!
Author: Lisa Lotts
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword veal
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 4

INGREDIENTS:

For the osso buco

  • pounds crosscut veal shanks
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium onion chopped into 1/2″ dice
  • 1 leek cleaned of any grit, sliced in half lengthwise and cut into 1/2″ half moon slices
  • 2 stalks celery chopped into 1/2″ dice
  • 3 medium carrots chopped into 1/2″ dice
  • 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon dried mushroom powder see note* optional
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 medium sprig rosemary
  • cups dry white wine
  • cups low sodium veal stock or chicken broth

for gremolata

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat the oven to 325°.
  • Place the cloves, fennel and bay leaves on a piece of cheese cloth and tie into a little pouch with a piece of kitchen string. Set aside. Tie the rosemary and thyme with another piece of kitchen string and set aside.
  • With a paper towel, pat dry the veal shanks. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt with the pepper. Sprinkle both sides of the veal with salt and pepper. In a large dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium – medium-high high heat. Place the veal in the dutch oven and brown on each side. Transfer the veal to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the mushrooms, onions, celery, leeks and garlic. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook over medium heat, until the vegetables give up some of their liquid and begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato pasted mushroom powder and cook for another minute. Add the wine, bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes then add the stock or broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer with the lid off the pan for 5-8 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by about a quarter.
  • Place the bouquet garni and the herb bundle into the vegetable mix and push down into the liquid. Add the veal shanks back to the dutch oven along with any juices accumulated on the plate. Cover the pot with the lid and place in the oven for 2 1/2 hours or until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
  • Meanwhile, assemble the gremolata in a small bowl, combine the garlic, lemon zest and parsley and toss with your fingers.
  • When Osso Bucco is finished, sprinkle each serving with a bit of the gremolata.

NOTES:

To make mushroom powder, place dried mushrooms (I used porcini) in a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder and pulse until it forms a powder. Store mushroom powder in an airtight container.

NUTRITION:

Calories: 515kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 212mg | Sodium: 1451mg | Potassium: 1636mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 8295IU | Vitamin C: 24.9mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 4.2mg

Don’t Forget To “Pin It” For Later!

This easy veal shanks recipe is the best comfort food! Simple Rustic Osso Buco is loaded with vegetables and a mouthwatering sauce. Finish with gremolata.

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31 Comments

  1. Brian Jones says:

    5 stars
    Nope nothing else required other than braised Osso Buco, looks delightful!

  2. I tried veal shanks one time and I have to say I wasn’t a big fan of the recipe I used. But yours looks delicious, I’m really tempted to give the veal shanks a second chance. Last week I bought a cast iron dutch oven and I think your recipe would be perfect for it. Pinned!
    Also I love your mushroom powder, such a great idea!

    1. I’m curious what the other recipe was like, because I’ve never met a veal shank I didn’t like! Thanks for pinning!

  3. Anne Murphy says:

    My MIL loves osso bucco, but rarely gets it any more, since she moved – I may have to make this the next time I visit them.

    And I love the mushroom powder – I used dried mushrooms that way all the time, but usually crush them as I used them – the powder would be so much easier!

    1. Hi Anne! We have to please our MILs, don’t we? Glad you like my mushroom powder trick. It works in so many savory dishes.

  4. Cooking Chat says:

    Great comfort food! I could use some right now, back from sledding!

    1. Oooh! Sledding? That’s something we can’t do in South Florida. Jealous!

  5. 5 stars
    This looks absolutely delicious!!! Good Lord! I have made a similar dish and I know yours taste amazing!

    1. Ooh, what do you put in yours? Is it veal, lamb or some other protein?

  6. Felesha Bell says:

    Loving the flavor combination! This looks amazingly delicious! Thanks for sharing!

    1. So glad you like Felesha! It’s really easy to do, and so worth it!

  7. christinegalvani says:

    I love delicious and healthy dishes such as this. Gorgeous photos and I love the step by step instructions!

    1. So glad you like. I’m working on my photography, so thanks for the compliment!

  8. There’s nothing better then curling up on the couch with a bowl and spoon of your favorite comfort food nestled in your lap, I must admit it my favorite way to eat comfort food.

    1. And maybe binge-watching a series on Netflix while you do it!

  9. immaculatebites says:

    Gosh!!!I can almost smell this through the screen, you sure do know how to make me hungry at 6.am. Looks AH-mazing Girl!!!

    1. Ok, I’ve never eaten this at 6 a.m., but it goes great with a glass of wine at 6p.m. LOL!

  10. I love osso buco….and will order it when I go out to dinner. Now this recipe sounds wonderful…guess I can make it at home now. Thanks!!

    1. Funny – I always order this type of thing when we go out too! I skip the steaks and go for something tender and savory.

  11. DanielaApostol says:

    I have never had osso buco, but I have heard that it is a delicious dish. Yours looks amazing!

    1. Thank you so much. If you’ve never had it, then you must give it a go!

  12. tezabbottcabo says:

    Oh Lisa, Osso Bucco is an all time favorite!! This recipe looks perfect!! This is perfect for my weekend!!

    1. I know, Osso Buco is one of my favorites. Love the bone marrow!

  13. 5 stars
    Oh wow, this looks so comforting and delicious! I have never heard of using mushroom powder, that is seriously brilliant! And I had to laugh about your fam shutting down your photo shoot. Been there 🙂

    1. Glad you like it. Mushroom powder is an easy umami booster!

  14. Oh my…. This looks so comforting, especially during this cold weather. I haven’t made veal shank before. Got to try this very soon! Mushroom powder sure sounds interesting! Definitely need to look into that. 😉

  15. I’ve never tried to make osso bucco at home. It always seems so daunting to me. Love how you have made it easier.

    1. It’s really simple to make, Christie! Enjoy!

  16. Cassandrea at chewsandbrews.ca says:

    I’ve always wanted to make osso buco, but never have! I have now printed off your recipe and am going to give it a go!! 🙂 Looks delish!