Beef shank is an underappreciated and inexpensive cut of meat that can be turned into rich, flavorful dishes when cooked properly. However, it can be difficult to find good quality beef shanks at your average supermarket. Fortunately, there are some great options for buying fresh, high-quality beef shank cuts if you know where to look
What is Beef Shank?
Beef shank comes from the legs of cows It contains a lot of collagen, which breaks down into gelatin when cooked slowly over low heat This makes beef shank perfect for braises, stews, and soups. When cooked right, the meat becomes fall-off-the-bone tender while adding incredible richness to the dish.
While beef shank is tougher than typical steak cuts, it has a deep beefy flavor. It also contains bone and marrow, which impart even more flavor as the dish cooks. Due to its high collagen content, beef shank requires slow, moist cooking methods.
Where to Buy Beef Shank
Finding fresh, high-quality beef shank can be a challenge at regular supermarkets. Here are some of the best places to buy beef shank near you:
Butcher Shops
For the highest quality and freshest beef shanks, your best bet is going to a specialty butcher shop. Butchers typically source beef shank and other cuts from regional farms and ranches. This results in better flavor and quality.
Many butchers also age beef in-house, producing exceptionally tender and tasty meat. Additionally, the skilled butchers can provide advice on picking the best shanks and how to prepare them.
Some notable butcher shops in Los Angeles highlighted by The Infatuation include:
- A Cut Above – Sources wagyu beef and dry-ages meat in-house.
- McCall’s Meat & Fish Company – Carries grass-fed beef and makes their own burger blend.
- Marconda’s Meats – Old-school butcher known for beautifully marbled cuts.
- Standing’s Butchery – Offers 10 kinds of housemade sausages.
Specialty Grocery Stores
Some higher-end grocery stores also carry good quality beef shank. Unlike regular supermarkets, these grocers source from small farms and ranchers. They also employ actual butchers in-store, rather than pre-cut and packaged meat.
Specialty stores like Publix highlight their beef selection process and quality controls. You’re more likely to find fresh, whole beef shanks rather than just cross-cuts. Published also offers choice grade USDA certified beef.
The downside is that the beef shank selection may be small compared to a dedicated butcher shop. However, for grocery store convenience, specialty markets are a good option.
Online Ordering and Delivery
Ordering beef shank online for delivery is a convenient way to get quality meat without leaving your home. Services like Instacart allow you to shop selections from local butcher shops and grocers for delivery or pickup:
With online ordering, you can take your time evaluating different beef shank options and read customer reviews. Just pay attention to delivery dates and times.
Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s markets are a good spot to connect directly with ranchers and producers. You can learn exactly where your beef is coming from and how it was raised. Markets like the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market have dedicated meat and seafood vendors.
The selection is not as wide as a full-scale butcher shop. However, the beef shank you find will be high quality and as fresh as it gets. If you want to try different cuts like oxtail, short ribs, or other offal, farmer’s markets give you that opportunity.
What to Look for When Buying Beef Shank
To get the best tasting beef shank for stews, braises, or soup, keep these tips in mind:
How Much Beef Shank to Buy
Beef shank recipes generally require at least 1 pound of meat per person, with leftovers. A 3-4 pound shank serves 3-4 people. Adjust amounts depending on bone size and how much meat you remove.
For soup bones, plan on purchasing 1 pound of meat and bones per quart of soup. Buying whole beef shanks allows you to cut pieces as needed for dishes.
Allow 1-2 days for defrosting frozen shanks before cooking. Always cook or freeze fresh beef shanks within 4 days of purchasing for best quality and food safety.
Storing Beef Shank
Proper storage preserves freshness and flavor. Follow these guidelines:
Great Recipes for Beef Shank
Once you’ve procured some quality beef shanks, here are some tasty ways to put them to use:
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Beef Shank and Lentil Soup – Rich and satisfying soup with fall-off-the-bone tender beef.
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Red Wine Braised Beef Shanks – A classic French braise perfect for a cold winter night.
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Korean Gamja Tang – Spicy traditional Korean soup made with beef bones.
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Osso Buco – The iconic Italian veal shank dish can also be made with beef.
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Caribbean Oxtail Stew – Replace oxtail with beef shank for a similar hearty stew.
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Beef Shank Birria Tacos – Slow cooked beef tacos with amazing texture and spice.
With the right cooking method, inexpensive beef shank becomes an incredible comfort food. Follow this guide to find high-quality beef shanks from butchers, markets, or delivered right to your door. Then grab a recipe and put this flavorful, collagen-rich cut of meat to delicious use.
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!
Beef Shank #shorts
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”.
Where can I buy beef shank?
Buy your favorite Beef Shank online with Instacart. Order Beef Shank Cross Cut, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours. What does beef shank taste like?
Where do beef shanks come from?
The meat from the beef shank often gets used for ground beef. Beef shanks mostly go by the same name in the U.S., whereas other countries delineate by fore or hind leg cuts. The whole beef shank comes from the upper portion of a cow’s leg. You’ll find beef shanks in grocery stores and butcher shops from time to time, but not always.
How much does a beef shank weigh?
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.
Does Kroger sell bone in center cut beef shank?
Actual product packaging and materials may contain additional and/or different ingredient, nutritional, or proper usage information than the information displayed on our website. Shop for Bone In Center Cut Beef Shank (1 lb) at Kroger. Find quality meat & seafood products to add to your Shopping List or order online for Delivery or Pickup.
How do I buy a beef shank on Instacart?
When you’ve determined what type of beef shank you want, you can save time by finding beef shank on the Instacart app. Once you’ve added the beef shank to your cart and checked out, an Instacart shopper will shop for your items and have them ready for in-store pickup in as little as 2 hours!
What is beef shank used for?
Beef shank costs very little, and because it’s so tough, the beef shank gets used most often for making stock, stews, or used for Ossobuco, an Italian dish that braises the meat on the bone for fork-tenderness and the flavorful marrow within. The meat from the beef shank often gets used for ground beef.