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Osso buco veal shanks braised in rich sauce with gremolata

Braised veal shanks in a rich wine and vegetable sauce

Osso Buco alla Milanese

Osso Buco alla Milanese

2h 50mMedium

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

2 hr 30 min

Total Time

2 hr 50 min

Servings

4

4 shanks

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Premium

$$$

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Osso Buco alla Milanese

Braised veal shanks in a rich wine and vegetable sauce

Tender veal shanks braised low and slow in white wine, tomatoes, and aromatics until the meat falls off the bone. Finished with a bright gremolata of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley.

20m

Prep Time

150m

Cook Time

170m

Total Time

4

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Premium $$$

Cost

Italian CuisineMain CourseGluten-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

February 22, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Osso buco is one of Milan's greatest culinary gifts—cross-cut veal shanks braised until impossibly tender with marrow that melts into the sauce. The gremolata added at the end lifts the entire dish with citrus brightness.

Why This Recipe Works

Browning the shanks deeply before braising builds a fond that becomes the backbone of the sauce. The marrow inside the bones enriches everything as it slowly renders during the long braise.

Ingredients

  • 4 veal shanks (about 1.5 inches thick)
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 onion, 1 carrot, 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Gremolata: zest of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp parsley, 1 clove garlic minced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Season veal shanks with salt and pepper, dredge lightly in flour, and sear in olive oil until deep golden on both sides.

  2. 2

    Remove shanks and sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in the same pan until softened, about 6 minutes.

  3. 3

    Deglaze with white wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half.

  4. 4

    Add crushed tomatoes and 1 cup beef broth, then nestle the shanks back in and bring to a simmer.

  5. 5

    Cover and braise in a 325°F oven for 2-2.5 hours until fork-tender, then serve topped with fresh gremolata.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Veal shanksBeef shanks

Increase braising time by 30 minutes for beef

White wineDry vermouth or chicken broth

Broth gives a milder flavor but still works beautifully

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Tie kitchen twine around each shank to help it hold its shape during braising.

  • Serve over saffron risotto alla milanese for the most traditional presentation.

Storage

Refrigerate in braising liquid for up to 3 days. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently in the braising liquid over medium-low heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (120mg) · 4 servings

Calories420
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein32g
Carbohydrates12g
Fat18g
Fiber580mg
Sugar2g
Sodium6g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use beef shanks instead?
Yes, beef shanks work well but may need an extra 30 minutes of braising time.
What wine works best?
A dry white like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is ideal.

Explore More

More Italian RecipesMore Main CourseGluten-Free RecipesStovetop RecipesOven Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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