What Are Beef Shanks? A Complete Guide to This Underrated Cut

Beef shanks are an underutilized and underappreciated cut of beef that can make for an incredibly flavorful and tender meal when cooked properly. This article will provide a complete guide to beef shanks, including what they are, where they come from, how to cook them, and some delicious recipes to try.

What Part of the Cow Do Beef Shanks Come From?

Beef shanks come from the legs of the cow. There are two different cuts of beef shank:

• Foreshank – This comes from the front legs of the cow, right above the brisket. It’s also sometimes called beef shin.

• Hindshank – This comes from the back legs, right below the round.

Both cuts come from areas of the cow that get a lot of exercise, so the meat has a lot of collagen and is fairly tough However, when cooked slowly using moist heat, that collagen breaks down into gelatin which makes the meat incredibly tender and juicy.

What Do Beef Shanks Look and Taste Like?

Beef shanks are long, thin cuts of meat that still have the leg bone attached They are well-worked muscles so they have a good amount of connective tissue This gives them a distinctive grain when raw.

When cooked right, beef shanks become fall-apart tender while still having a pleasant amount of chew. The meat has a robust beefy flavor that intensifies when braised. There is not much fat marbling in shanks but the little bit they have adds plenty of moisture and flavor.

Are Beef Shanks a Good or Bad Cut of Meat?

Beef shanks are absolutely a good cut of meat! While they are tough, they respond incredibly well to slow, moist cooking methods like braising and stewing. When treated right, beef shanks transform into a delicious meal and are far cheaper than popular cuts like ribeye or tenderloin.

The only downside to beef shanks is that their irregular shape and small size makes them harder to portion and cook evenly than larger, uniform cuts. But with a bit of expertise, you can turn affordable beef shanks into restaurant-quality meals.

How to Cook Beef Shanks Perfectly Tender:

Cooking beef shanks is simple but does require some technique:

• Brown the shanks first – Get a nice sear on the shanks before braising to enhance flavor. Pat them dry and dredge in flour before browning.

• Braise or stew low and slow – Cook the shanks for at least 2-3 hours in liquid like broth or wine at a low simmer. This tenderizes the meat.

• Use aromatics – Onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs amplify the flavor.

• Make a flavorful braising liquid – Use broth, tomatoes, red wine, etc. to impart big flavor.

• Let them rest before serving – Once cooked, let the shanks rest in the braising liquid for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Follow these steps and you’ll be rewarded with incredibly succulent, fall-apart tender beef shanks!

4 Delicious Ways to Cook Beef Shanks

Here are a few excellent recipes that showcase just how delicious beef shanks can be:

1. Red Wine-Braised Beef Shanks

Beef shanks are braised for 2-3 hours in a French-inspired sauce of red wine, aromatic vegetables, and beef broth. The end result is fork-tender meat in an incredible red wine gravy. Serve over mashed potatoes.

2. Italian Osso Buco

Osso buco utilizes veal shanks, but beef shanks work great too. Braise the shanks in a tomato, wine, broth sauce with risotto or polenta as the perfect pairing. Garnish with gremolata.

3. Beer-Braised Beef Shanks

For something heartier, braise the shanks in a combination of beer, beef broth and onions. The beer adds great malty notes. Serve on soft bread to soak up the delicious braising liquid.

4. Asian-Style Braised Beef Shanks

For an Asian spin, use soy sauce, rice wine, ginger, and Asian aromatics to create the braising liquid. Serve over rice and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.

How to Buy Beef Shanks

Beef shanks can be difficult to find at some grocery stores since they are less popular. Here are some tips for sourcing great beef shanks:

• Check larger supermarkets with full-service butcher counters

• Ask your local butcher in advance if they can get beef shanks

• Search for grass-fed or organic shanks for better quality

• Expect to pay around $3-5 per pound

Look for shanks that are around 2-3 inches thick for the best results when braising.

Can You Substitute Anything for Beef Shanks?

The best substitutes for beef shanks are other collagen-rich braising cuts like:

• Chuck roast
• Beef brisket
• Short ribs
• Oxtails

While not exactly the same, these cuts also become melt-in-your-mouth tender when braised low and slow. Their flavor is slightly different but they work great in most beef shank recipes.

Storing and Freezing Beef Shanks

Raw beef shanks can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days before cooking. To freeze, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags. Frozen, they will keep for 3-6 months.

Cooked beef shanks keep for 3-4 days refrigerated and 2-3 months frozen. Let the braising liquid cool fully before storing. Reheat gently before serving again.

While underappreciated, beef shanks are actually an incredible cut of meat when braised or stewed correctly. Taking the time to slowly braise them results in fork-tender meat and rich collagen-thickened gravy. Their robust beefy flavor pairs perfectly with red wine or hearty aromatics. And as a bonus, they are cheap! Follow this guide to unlock the potential of beef shanks.