Beef shanks are an underrated and inexpensive cut of meat that can be used to make delicious soups, stews and braised dishes when cooked properly. However finding high-quality beef shanks at an affordable price can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know about buying beef shanks so you can enjoy their rich, meaty flavor without breaking the bank.
What Are Beef Shanks?
Beef shanks come from the legs of cattle. They contain a lot of collagen which needs to be broken down through slow, moist cooking methods. When cooked correctly, the collagen melts into the meat resulting in delicious, fall-off-the-bone tender beef.
There are two main types of beef shank cuts
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Foreshank – Comes from the front legs and contains more connective tissue. Best for stews and braises.
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Hindshank – Cut from the back legs with larger muscles. Ideal for soups or Osso Buco.
Beef shanks can be purchased on or off the bone. Bone-in shanks contain marrow which enriches the flavor of dishes. Boneless shanks are easier to work with.
Why Buy Beef Shanks?
There are several benefits to cooking with beef shanks:
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Inexpensive – Shanks are an affordable cut that provides great value. You can make a hearty dish without spending much.
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Flavorful – Long cooking coaxes out the rich, meaty flavor from beef shanks. The collagen also thickens and enriches sauces and braising liquid.
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Nutritious – Shanks contain protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins. Bone-in cuts also provide bone-strengthening calcium.
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Versatile – Shanks can be used in all types of soups, stews, braises, and Italian dishes like Osso Buco. They pair well with many flavors.
Where to Find Beef Shanks
Looking to cook with beef shanks? Here are some of the best places to buy quality shanks:
Butcher Shops or Meat Markets
A local butcher is my top recommendation for finding fresh, high-quality beef shanks. Many butchers source grass-fed, local beef. Talk to your butcher and ask if they have shanks available. You may need to order them in advance.
Butcher shops often have better availability of whole, bone-in shanks which are perfect for dishes like Osso Buco. Prices at local butchers may be slightly higher than grocery stores but the quality is worth it.
Grocery Store Meat Department
Your regular grocery store meat department is another reliable spot to find beef shanks. Stores like Kroger carry center-cut bone-in shanks which are great for soups and stews.
One benefit of grocery stores is you can easily find boneless shanks which are cut into more manageable pieces. Just watch out for shanks that have been pre-cut for stew as they will be more expensive.
Check circulars and look for manager markdowns on beef shanks to get the best price. Shanks are often put on sale during the cold weather months when demand for soups and stews rises.
Warehouse Clubs
Warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s are great for buying quality meat in bulk. They typically carry whole primal shank cuts at very competitive prices.
The primal shank weighs around 18-22 pounds, so this is really only a good option if you have a large family or want to divide it up and freeze portions to use later. But if you have room to store a large shank, the bulk warehouse price can’t be beat!
Online Stores and Delivery Services
Another option is to order beef shanks online through meat delivery services like Rastelli’s, Crowd Cow, or Porter Road. Delivery services source high-quality meat from sustainable farms.
You can also order bone-in or boneless beef shanks for delivery through grocery apps like Instacart. This is super convenient if you can’t find shanks at your local market. Just remember to factor in the delivery fees.
What to Look for When Buying Beef Shanks
To get the best quality shanks for your recipes, keep these things in mind when selecting beef shanks:
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Cut – Choose cuts like cross-cut or center-cut shanks which give you more usable meat. Avoid pre-cut stew meat which costs more.
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Size – For stews, larger 3-4 pound shanks are ideal. For Osso Buco, look for 2 inch slices cut from the whole shank.
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Color – Fresh shanks should be bright red with white fat marbling and no dark spots. Watch out for gray coloring which indicates older meat.
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Pack date – Check the sell-by date and pick shanks with the furthest date for maximum freshness.
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Bones – If choosing bone-in, pick shanks with hard, white bones not cracked or splintered bones.
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Fat cap – Some fat left on the shanks adds flavor. Just trim off any thick, hard fat caps before cooking.
How Much do Beef Shanks Cost?
Beef shank prices can range from $2-$6 per pound depending on the specific cut, bone-in or boneless, and where you purchase them. Here are some average price ranges:
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Butcher Shop – $3.99 – $5.99/lb
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Grocery Store – $2.99 – $4.99/lb
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Warehouse Club – $1.99 – $3.99/lb
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Online Delivery – $4.99 – $6.99/lb
Beef shanks offer an affordable alternative to pricier cuts of beef for making hearty braised dishes, stews, and soups. With proper slow cooking, they become melt-in-your mouth tender and deliver rich, beefy flavor. Use this guide to find high-quality shanks at the best prices so you can enjoy creating delicious beef shank recipes at home without overspending.
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.
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Get TWICE the Meat for HALF the Price with This Oxtail Substitute
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.
Does Costco sell beef shanks?
NEW BONE IN BEEF SHANK AT COSTCO. $5.99/lb 34940.
Can you get a beef shank?
Shanks are one of the cheapest cuts of beef and can be found at any basic grocery store or butcher.
What is the closest cut 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.