Looking for a rich, savory, and satisfying meal? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve put together a list of the very best beef shank recipes out there. 

 

In case you are unfamiliar, beef shank is a particular cut of beef taken from the cow’s leg, right above the knee and below the sirloin. It is often overlooked due to a high concentration of tough muscle fiber and other connective tissue.

However, with the right technique, you can easily transform beef shank into some of the most tender, intensely savory dishes out there. For most beef shank recipes, you only need a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience. 

Check out this list of easy beef shank recipe ideas to find out exactly what I mean. Try your hand at a few and get ready for some of the most flavorful beef you have ever tasted!

Easy beef shank recipe ideas

Here is a roundup of some of the finest beef shank recipes out there. I did my best to include a few options to suit any tastes. Some are spicy, others sweet, and all centered around this supremely savory cut of beef. Whether you are preparing for a party or just looking for an easy dinner recipe, we’ve got you covered!

You’ll find several different culinary traditions represented in this list. There are beef shank recipes inspired by the cuisines of Italy, Mexico, China, Taiwan, India, Ireland, the Philippines, and more. Each culture offers its own unique spin on how to cook with beef shanks, and all of them are totally irresistible! 

Keep in mind that while these recipes are easy, most of them do require quite a bit of cooking time. This is simply the nature of cooking with beef shanks. Don’t despair, though! I promise that your patience will pay off. 

Cooking the meat low and slow transforms it into a rich, meaty masterpiece. Just put in the few required minutes of prep time and let your slow cooker, smoker, or oven do the rest. If you are short on time, be sure to check out the Instant Pot options. 

Whether you are jonesing for a spicy noodle soup, hearty stew, meaty taco, robust pasta sauce, or just a hunk of tender beef shank, this list has something for you. Now, roll up those sleeves, and let’s dive into these delicious and easy dinner recipe ideas. I guarantee there is a mouthwatering, comforting meal just around the corner! 

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1. Easy Braised Beef Shank Recipe

This easy beef shank recipe is your ticket to intensely savory, tender beef shank in just 3 easy steps. Sear the beef, make the braising liquid, then braise the beef. That’s it! In 1-2 hours, you will have fall-off-the-fork tender beef infused with rich, umami flavor. 

Plus, the braising liquid is made from simple pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, and oregano. You likely already have everything you need in your kitchen already! 

2. Beef Shank Noodles

This Chinese-inspired soup features shaved beef shank, udon noodles, bok choy, and green onions in a delicious homemade beef stock. 

The rich, savory stock is infused with aromatic herbs and warming spices like ginger, clove, star anise, and more, highlighting some of the very best flavors of Asian cuisine. 

Right before serving, the dish gets topped with pickled mustard greens, adding the final touch to make this recipe an absolute flavor explosion!

3. Osso Bucco

Osso bucco is a traditional Italian recipe made by slowly simmering beef or veal shanks with carrots, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spices in a buttery broth made with white wine. 

“Osso bucco” is the Italian phrase for “hollow bone” and is named for the long, marrow-filled bone that runs through the center of beef shanks. The dish was created in northern Italy in the 19th century and has never gone out of style. 

This hearty, comforting meal is easy enough to make any day of the week and versatile enough to have with any side dish. I recommend mashed potatoes or any of your favorite vegetables. 

4. Thors Hammer

In this fancy spin on braised beef shank, the shanks are slowly simmered in a red wine sauce along with carrots, onions, and fresh herbs like rosemary, garlic, and thyme. 

This recipe gets the name “Thor’s Hammer” from the special way the beef shanks are cut. In a process called “frenching,” the butcher exposes the inner bone of the shank so that it protrudes from the rest of the cut.  

It’s a great choice of cuts anytime you really want to wow your dinner guests with a fun and unique presentation. 

5. Smoked Beef Shank

Try smoking your beef shanks with this easy, flavorful recipe. Like most beef shank recipes, this one comes complete with a braising liquid made with simple ingredients like beef broth, wine, butter, and Worcestershire sauce. 

A little bit of fresh rosemary adds a touch of aromatics and the smoker works the rest of the magic.

6. Instant Pot Beef Shanks

This is an easy dinner recipe with a major dose of flavor. Ready in just under 30 minutes, this meal comes complete with tender beef shanks, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, celery, and other veggies in a savory-sweet, sour, and spicy broth. 

It is a simple, comforting meal with a delightful Asian flavor profile. You can make it with veal or pork too! 

7. Slow Cooker Beef Shank Stew

Satisfy your appetite with this hearty, flavorful beef stew. Made in the slow cooker for ultimate convenience, this recipe comes complete with tons of nourishing vegetables. 

Potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions are slow cooked along with the beef in an herby, tomato-based broth. Serve with crusty bread for dipping! 

8. Apple Cider Braised Beef Recipe

With fresh apples, onions, and herbs, this dish is the ultimate in easy-to-make beef shank recipes. Rich, savory beef shank meets sweet, acidic apple cider to create a dish that will tease each and every taste bud. 

Serve this flavorful beef to your friends and watch as they beg for the recipe! I especially like making this one during apple-picking season!

9. Garlic And Herb Beef Shanks

Slow cooker to the rescue! This simple, flavorful recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and virtually no prep time. 

Toss the beef shanks in the crockpot along with the broth, garlic, and seasonings. Cover it, set it, and forget it. In 4-5 hours you will have rich, savory melt-in-your-mouth beef. Easy! 

10. Chili Colorado Beef Shanks

Inspired by the cuisine of northern Mexico, this recipe features tender meat with a bold, zesty kick. Featuring 2 types of chile peppers, garlic, cumin, cloves, and more, Chili Colorado Beef Shank is spicy, savory, and bursting with authentic Mexican flavor. 

This is one of the best beef shank recipes for tacos, burritos, or any of your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes.  

11. Beef Shank Barbacoa

You are going to love this easy beef shank recipe with a Mexican twist. Chile peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and Mexican oregano give the meat a flavor profile that is bright, spicy, and aromatic. 

Use either your Instant Pot or a Dutch oven to whip up a batch of this zesty beef shank barbacoa. 

12. Braised Beef Shanks In Guinness

For some of the most succulent beef shank you have ever tasted, try this excellent beer-braised method. The addition of Guinness beer to the braising liquid adds an extra element of savory flavor while rendering the meat even more tender than you thought possible. 

Serve this hearty dish as a stew or enjoy it with mashed potatoes for a truly Irish dining experience. Maybe enjoy a pint with your meal while you’re at it! 

13. Birria Tacos

Give tacos a try! This authentic Mexican recipe features tender braised beef cooked in a robust homemade adobo sauce. The spicy meat is shredded and nestled into pan-fried tortillas along with any of your favorite taco toppings. 

The recipe also comes complete with a consume for dipping your tacos. You definitely don’t want to miss this one!

14. Slow Cooker Osso Bucco

Filled with nourishing vegetables and fresh herbs, this simple, satisfying dish will fill you up without slowing you down. 

Plus, since we are using the slow cooker, it only takes about 20 minutes of prep time. Get ready for your house to smell amazing as you wait for this easy beef shank recipe to cook.

15. Filipino Beef Shank Soup

Experience the taste of the Philippines with this expertly seasoned beef shank stew. Think tender shreds of beef shank simmer in a garlicky, ginger-infused broth with loads of fresh, crunchy vegetables added toward the end. 

A touch of fish sauce gives the stew a serious dose of umami flavor while Thai chile adds an element of heat. Enjoy!

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16. Beef Shank Ragu

Elevate your pasta sauce game with this phenomenal beef shank ragu recipe. Slowly braised in a robust tomato-based sauce, these flavorful beef shanks tenderize like you would not believe. 

The meat is then shredded and added back into the cooking sauce to create the richest, most savory pasta sauce you have ever tasted. Move over marinara! 

17. Nihari

Nihari is a rich beef shank stew with tender chunks of beef and a silky smooth, gravy-like broth. This flavorful delicacy from the Indian subcontinent is made with onion, garlic, ginger, green chiles, cilantro, and a tapestry of Indian spices. 

Traditionally, the gravy-like broth is thickened with lightly toasted durum wheat and then made even richer by scooping out the marrow and returning it to the stew. That’s hearty!

If any of this seems too rich for your preferences, no problem. The recipe offers a few simple ways to make it a lighter meal, including a handy gluten-free option. 

18. Chinese Braised Beef Shank

This recipe delivers some of the most deliciously flavored, tender beef shanks you have ever tasted. Warming spices like star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, and fennel infuse the meat with layers of flavor as the slow cooking process renders it moist and tender.

In China, this dish is usually served cold but is just as tasty when served warm. You can either chill, shave, and serve the beef cold or use it as part of a tasty beef noodle soup. Your choice!

This recipe comes out best when you start preparing the meat about 2 days in advance, so be sure to plan ahead. It is a labor of love, but well worth it!

19. Beef Pho

Make your very own Vietnamese beef noodle soup with this beef pho recipe. 

Beef pho is a light but comforting meal made with a base of savory broth, beef shanks, and noodles. 

The broth used for pho recipes has a delightfully complex flavor profile featuring bright, warming spices like ginger, garlic, and star anise along with potent ingredients like soy and fish sauce. With the added beef shanks, this soup could not get more savory if it wanted to! 

From there, you can add your choice of toppings like mung bean sprouts, cilantro, green onions, basil, jalapenos, or lime wedges. I like to set up the topping buffet style and let everyone customize their own bowl. 

20. Taiwanese Braised Beef Shank

With ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and more, this Taiwanese beef shank recipe is bursting with savory-sweet and tangy flavor. 

This recipe is traditionally served as a cold shaved beef appetizer. The meat is chilled in broth overnight, shaved as thinly as possible, and served cold with a sesame garlic sauce and fresh cilantro. I highly recommend trying this at your next potluck! 

Alternatively, you can enjoy the beef warm, either with noodles or in a soup. You can find directions for both cold and warm options included in the recipe. 

21. Chinese Braised Beef Shank

A delicious recipe for beef shank that is cooked in an amazing stock and then thinly sliced. This recipe is known as Jiang Niu Rou in Chinese a popular recipe to have during different holidays.

22. Beef Shank With Mushrooms

Rich, beefy shank with mushrooms is a comfort food that will knock your socks off. Try serving over mashed potatoes or mashed rutabaga for a dinner you won’t forget.

23. Beef Stew With Dumplings

A slow cooker recipe worth repeating. Tender beef stew is made with vegetables and then topped with parmesan dumplings.

More beef recipes to try

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