This Slow Cooker Osso Buco recipe is made with beef shanks that are browned and then simmered in a flavorful broth until fall apart tender. The use of herbs, white wine, and a long cooking time really bring out the best in this humble cut of beef.

Before marrying a cowboy and raising my own beef, I had only eaten Osso Buco in fancy Italian restaurants. When I got my first cow back from the butcher, I was thrilled to see we had a big box of shanks!

I cooked this Osso Buco recipe with them, and it quickly became my husbands favorite dinner. I like to describe this dish as an Italian pot roast. It’s super flavorful but not fussy at all, perfect for company or a cozy Sunday dinner.

About Beef Shanks

Shanks come from the lower part of the cow's leg, both front and hind leg. The hind leg shanks are typically meatier.
This cut is high in connective tissue which needs to be cooked low and slow to become tender. Once braised or simmered it is a very tender, silky, and flavorful meat.
Using a bone-in shank adds flavor and richness to the dish from the bone marrow.
Prices range from $4.99 - $12.99 per pound.

Ingredient Notes

over head ingredient shot of slow cooker osso buco recipe

beef shanks - I use beef shanks but this dish is traditionally made with veal shanks.
broth - Beef or chicken broth both work well. Water can also be used in a pinch.
red onion - Adds a sweet depth to the sauce, yellow onion and shallots are great substitutes.
dry white wine - Brings a subtle acidity to the sauce and beef. Red wine can also be used.
tomato paste - I’ve used diced and stewed tomatoes in place of tomato paste and it turned out delicious.
rosemary, thyme, bay leaf - These bring a great herbal note to the dish, but can be left out if you don’t have them on hand.
garlic - This recipe uses smashed garlic cloves which adds a subtle garlic flavor.

(see recipe card for full ingredient list and measurements)

How to Make Slow Cooker Osso Buco

Season the shanks with salt and pepper then dust them with flour on both sides.

four beef shanks dusted with flour on a wood cutting board

Brown the shanks on both sides.

two beef shanks being browned in a cast iron skillet

Transfer the shanks to a slow cooker.

four browned beef shanks in a black crock pot

In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and red onion and cook until softened and lightly caramelized. Around 5 minutes.

celery carrots and red onion being sauteed in a cast iron skillet

Add the smashed garlic cloves and tomato paste. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.

softened carrots, celery, and redion in a cast iron skillet

Add the white wine and cook over low heat until reduced, 2-3 minutes.

a wine whine and tomato paste sauce being reduced in a cast iron skillet

Pour the wine and vegetable sauce over the shanks and add the herbs.

beef shanks and and diced sauteed vegetables in a crock pot

Add the broth.

beef shanks, diced vegetables, and broth in a black crock pot

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours or until the shanks are fall apart tender. Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let the sauce reduce. Taste the sauce and season to your liking.

Serve over mashed potatoes or polenta. Enjoy!

slow cooker Osso Buco served on mashed potatoes.

How to Serve this Recipe

Traditionally Osso Buco is served over polenta and topped with a gremolata. But my family are meat and potatoes kinda people, so I serve it over mashed potatoes. Sometimes with a side of green beans, but it’s great just as is!

Tips & Tricks

I don’t normally drink wine, but I will buy a bottle special for this recipe. The acidity it brings to this dish is delicious, and I always miss it when I leave it out.
If your family is not a fan of herbs, leave them out or only add a tiny bit. The rosemary and thyme are strong flavors.
This makes a great lunch or meal prep. The fat will solidify when you put into the refrigerator though, making it hard to find the beef under it. So plate up your lunches while the Osso Buco is still warm in the crock pot.
Do not skip browning the shanks, this adds a ton a flavor.

If you enjoyed this slow cooker recipe, be sure to try my Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes or my Instant Pot Hawaiian Beef Stew!

osso bucco beef shanks served over mashed potatoes

Slow Cooker Osso Buco Recipe

Alexis

Beef shanks are browned and then braised in a flavor sauce until fall apart tender. White wine, herbs, and a long cooking time really bring out the best in this humble cut of beef.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 287 kcal

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients

4 tablespoon olive oil split
4 beef shanks
2 tablespoon flour
2 carrots diced
2 celery stalks diced
1 red onion diced
4 garlic cloves smashed
2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup dry white wine sub red wine or broth
4 cups broth beef or chicken
1 rosemary sprig
2 thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Generously season the shanks with salt and pepper and coat them with flour on both sides.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear the shanks and both sides until deep brown. Transfer them to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat and saute the diced carrots, celery, and red onion until softened and lightly caramelize. Around 5 -7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add smashed garlic cloves and tomato paste. Stir and cook for a minute or two.
Pour in white wine, stir, and cook for a few minutes to let it reduce. Transfer to slow cooker and add the herbs.
Add the broth, put the lid on and cook on low for 8 hours, high for 6 hours, or until shanks are fall apart tender.
Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let the sauce reduce. Taste and season to your liking.
Serve over polenta or mashed potatoes.

Notes

Do not skip browning the shanks, this step adds a lot of flavor.
A dry red wine can be used in place of white wine.
If you do not have any broth or stock on hand, water can be used.

Keyword beef shanks, slow cooker