Beef shank is an economical and flavorful cut of meat from the legs of cattle. Known for its rich taste and tendency to become tender and juicy when braised, beef shank is perfect for soups, stews, and braises But where exactly can you buy this diverse and scrumptious cut of meat? This complete guide will walk you through all the best places to purchase beef shank.
Grocery Stores
One of the most convenient places to buy beef shank is your local grocery store. Most major grocery chains will carry beef shank in the meat department, typically sold in 1-2 pound packages. You can often find it labeled as “beef shank,” “cross-cut beef shank,” or “bone-in beef shank.”
When checking the meat counter, look for beef shank that is bright red in color without any graying or dry spots. Examine the packaging date and use-by date to ensure freshness. For best results, plan to cook beef shank within a few days of purchasing.
Some grocery stores may not always have beef shank in stock, so you can ask the butcher to get some ordered for you Larger grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Stop & Shop are safe bets for finding beef shank You can also order beef shank for grocery pickup or delivery using services like Instacart.
Butcher Shops
For the widest selection and freshest cuts of beef shank, visit a local butcher shop or meat market. Independent butchers often source beef shank and other cuts from smaller regional producers. This results in excellent quality and unique options you won’t find elsewhere.
At a butcher shop, you can request thicker cuts of beef shank for longer braising or thin slices for quicker cooking. You may also discover alternative preparations like smoked, cured, or pre-seasoned beef shank. Building a relationship with a butcher can open the door to custom cuts and specialty orders.
Wholesale Clubs
For bulk savings on beef shank, shop at warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. These retailers offer excellent prices when you buy beef in larger quantities.
It’s common to find cryovaced packs of 4-6 pounds of beef shank at wholesale clubs. The meat is fresh and you can separate it into smaller portions to use over time. Wholesale clubs may also carry pre-seasoned and presliced beef shank for added convenience. Just be sure to freeze whatever you don’t plan to use within a few days.
Online Retailers
Ordering beef shank online is easy, offering both traditional and unique product options. Many high-end online butchers sell portioned cuts of premium beef shank, such as Crowd Cow, Porter Road, and Snake River Farms. The meat is packaged and shipped frozen direct to your door.
There are also specialty online retailers that focus on grass-fed, organic, pasture-raised, or heritage breed beef. Consider Thrive Market, ButcherBox, FarmFoods, and other similar services for home delivery of sustainable beef shank. Delivery times range from 1-7 days depending on the retailer.
Farmer’s Markets
For locally sourced grass-fed beef shank, visit farmer’s markets in your area. Small beef producers often sell cuts like beef shank directly to consumers at weekend markets. This is a great opportunity to connect with farmers and learn more about how your beef was raised.
Farmer’s markets are ideal for finding organic, pasture-raised, hormone-free, and humanely raised beef shank. You can discover more interesting cuts sold at farmer’s markets as well, like marrow bones and beef knuckles. Just be prepared to cook or freeze your beef shank promptly after purchasing.
Direct from a Farm or Ranch
Purchasing beef shank and other cuts directly from a beef producer results in peak freshness and quality. Many cattle farms and ranches sell a portion of their beef direct to consumers. This beef has never been frozen, refrigerated, or transported long distances, making for better taste and texture.
Contact farms in your state or region to find out if they offer individual cuts for sale. You can then coordinate to purchase exactly what you want, often at very competitive prices compared to stores. Be aware that most farms require large bulk orders or purchase of an entire side of beef. But going straight to the source is worthwhile if you can buy at least 25+ pounds of assorted beef.
Restaurants and Foodservices
Those in the food industry can source beef shank through restaurant, hotel, and institutional foodservice distributors. Major broadline distributors like Sysco and US Foods carry beef shank and deliver nationwide to business customers. Smaller regional foodservice companies are another option for purchasing cases of beef shank or legs for butchering.
Working chefs can also cultivate relationships with local meat purveyors to buy high-quality beef shank. Specialty distributors like D’Artagnan offer premium beef and game items that are harder to find. And some high-end restaurants will purchase whole animals direct from farms to custom fabricate cuts like beef shank in-house.
Ethnic Grocery Stores
When searching for beef shank, don’t overlook smaller ethnic food stores in your area. International grocers specializing in Latin American, Asian, Caribbean, or Eastern European products will frequently stock beef shank. These stores source meat and produce tailored to their respective cuisines.
For example, Mexican markets contain beef shank for making pozole or menudo. Asian stores carry it for Chinese and Vietnamese beef soups. And Eastern European shops will have beef shank to use in varieties of borscht. Taking a global approach opens many doors for finding quality beef shank.
Hunting and Harvesting It Yourself
For the most self-sufficient method of obtaining beef shank, consider hunting or raising beef yourself. While requiring substantial effort and know-how, you’ll gain total control over the source and quality of your beef. Resources like guides, classes, cooperatives, and leasing arrangements can make DIY beef more achievable for the committed.
Beef shank can come from wild game like bison, elk, moose, and deer you harvest or
The Instacart guide to beef shank
- Beef Shank Primal Cut: The primal cut of beef shank comes from the upper leg and generally weighs around 20 pounds, including the bone. Edible meat makes up about 40% of that weight, while the rest goes to the bone and the delicious marrow trapped inside. The beef shank primal cut can be cooked whole and usually braised. Slow-cooking at low temperatures for a long time will result in very tender meat.
- Beef Shank Cross Cut: The cross-cut of beef shank divides the primal cut into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces make it easier to use in stocks and stews and for Ossobuco.
The Instacart guide to beef shank cross-cuts
- Calories: 171
- Total fat: 5 grams, 7%
- Saturated fat: 1.9 grams, 9%
- Cholesterol: 66 milligrams, 22%
- Sodium: 54 milligrams, 2%
- Potassium: 380 milligrams, 10%
- Total carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Protein: 29 grams, 58%
- Calcium: 2%
- Vitamin B-6: 15%
- Magnesium 6%
- Iron: 18%
- Cobalamin: 53%
Keep your beef shank cross-cuts in the refrigerator near the back on a low shelf. Try to store your beef above poultry and below fish and fresh fruits and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination. Keeping your beef near the back of the refrigerator will help keep its temperature regulated and low. You should aim to prepare or freeze raw beef shank cross-cuts 3 to 5 days from purchase. If youre not going to prepare your beef shank cross-cut in the next few days, you can always freeze it. Freeze your beef shank in a sealable freezer bag with the air removed. Properly frozen, a beef shank cross-cut can stay fresh in the freezer for 6 to 12 months. Smelling your beef shank cross-cuts is one of the best ways to tell if its past its prime. If it smells off, dont eat it. Youll also look for unnatural discoloration and unusual sliminess on the shank. Its natural for a cut of beef to brown as its oxidized in your refrigerator. Always look at your beef shank label when you purchase it to make sure youre still within the recommended eat-or-freeze-by date. Look at the Instacart app today to see if stores in your area offer beef shank cross-cuts. Instacart allows you to shop at some of your favorite local stores without having to step foot in the store. You can fill your virtual cart up with the ingredients you need to make the weeks meals and let Instacart shoppers head out to the store for you. Once the shopping has been finished, you can pick up your groceries or have them delivered to your home if the option is available!
Costco Beef Shank / Costco 2024 / Beef Shank Recipe / Osso Buco Recipe / Costco Meat / ASMR Cooking
FAQ
What is beef shank called in the store?
Beef shank is also called shin meat. These are one-inch thick cross cuts from the leg. It is tougher cut of meat, but with long slow cooking, it becomes meltingly delicious and so flavorful. These shanks are perfect for making stew or osso bucco.
What meat is closest to beef shank?
2 Answers 2 Oxtail would be your most likely substitute, but you have indicated you cannot obtain it. The next best choice (of those widely available) is probably chuck, which is the shoulder muscle, and is well worked and flavored. It requires low and slow cooking for best results, much like shanks and tail do.
Does Costco sell beef shanks?
NEW BONE IN BEEF SHANK AT COSTCO. $5.99/lb 34940.
What is another name for a shank steak?
Another name for beef shank is “osso bucco”.