Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Chef Dennis Littley

5 from 107 votes

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When it comes to comfort food, Pork Osso Bucco is at the top of my list. This amazingly delicious, tender, soul-warming dish is perfect for the colder months but can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (1)

If you’ve never heard of Pork Osso Bucco, it’s a dish that originated in the Lombardy Region of Italy in the 19th century.

Originally made with veal shanks, pork has become a popular version of this classic Italian dish.

Table of Contents:

What is a pork shank?

The Pork Shank comes fromthe front forearm of the pig. This is a tough cut of meat, due to how pigs develop muscles living in the woods. This in turn gives the meat an incredibly rich flavor that is well worth the extra time it takes to cook.

If you don’t see them at your grocer, ask your butcher. He may have them in the back or may be able to order them for you.

What Ingredients do I need to make Pork Osso Bucco?

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (2)

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Pork Osso Bucco. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Traditionally red wine is used to make Pork Osso Bucco, while white wine is used to make Veal Osso Bucco.

Chef Tip:

I’ve used a lot of dutch ovens over the years and this chef only uses a Misen Dutch Oven for his cooking needs.

Misen also makes great quality knives at a reasonable price and has become my knife of choice for my home kitchens

How do I make Pork Osso Bucco?

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (3)

The first step is dredging the pork shanks in flour seasoned with sea salt and black pepper.

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (4)

Add vegetable oil to a large dutch oven (6-7 quarts) (or a large skillet) over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shanks for about 2 minutes on each side.

Once seared on all sides, remove the pork shanks from the pan and set aside until needed.

**Discard the oil if it’s burnt and start with fresh oil, but don’t clean out the pan.We want all those tasty bits stuck to the pan for the sauce

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (5)

The next step is adding the mirepoix (celery, carrots and onions) and garlic to the pot. Let the vegetables cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until they have all been lightly cooked.

CHEF DENNIS TIP:

Never add uncooked vegetables to liquid and boil them. Vegetables will never develop the depth of flavor they will achieve by searing them prior to adding liquid to the pot.

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (6)

After lightly cooking the vegetables, add the red wine to the dutch oven. Turn the heat down and scrape all the bits off the bottom of the pan.

**This process is called deglazing.

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (7)

After deglazing the pan, add the stock, tomatoes, tomato paste and herbs to the pot.

Allow the mixture to simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (8)

Add the seared pork shanks back into the pot of tomato sauce. Cover and place into a preheated 325-degree oven and let the pork shanks braise in the sauce for 3 hours.

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (9)

After three hours, the pork shanks will be fork tender and incredibly delicious. As you can see there is a good amount of fat that has been cooked off.

Gently remove the pork shanks from the pan and skim off most of the fat. Mix the remaining fat into the sauce. This fat will add an incredible amount of flavor so don’t take it all out. Fat is what gives the sauce its rich flavor.

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (10)

Spoon the finished tomato sauce onto a serving dish or casserole and place the pork shanks on the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (11)

Wouldn’t you love to sit down to a plateful of my Pork Osso Bucco? I know your family will love how ah-mazingly flavorful this dish is and you’ll love how easy it is to make!

I’ve used a lot of Dutch ovens over the years, and this chef only uses Misen Dutch Ovens for his cooking.

Misen also makes great quality knives at a reasonable price and has become my knife of choice for my home kitchens.

Chef's Choice

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Recipe FAQ’s

What is Pork Osso Bucco

Traditionally made with veal shanks, my recipe features pork shanks. Beef and Oxtail can also be used. Translated from Italian Osso Bucco means “bone with a hole”. This is a reference to the marrow inside the shanks which adds amazing flavor to the dish.

Where was Osso Bucco first created?

Osso Bucco comes from the Lombardy region of Italy

What part of the animal does Osso Bucco come from?

Osso Buco isthe shank (forearm) of the animal and includes a marrow bone at its center. This is a hard-working part of the animal but slow braising will yield a tender and decadent final dish.

More Pork Recipes You’ll Love!

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Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (18)

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5 from 107 votes

Braised Pork Osso Bucco

When it comes to comfort food Pork Osso Bucco is at the top of my list. This easy to make delicious pork dish warms the body and the soul.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Total Time3 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 4

Calories: 960kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven

Ingredients

  • 4 pork shanks approx 5 pounds total weight
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour seasoned with sea salt and blacck pepper to dredge pork shanks
  • coarse sea salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 large carrots chopped
  • 4 ribs celery chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 ½ cup chicken stock
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 4 sprigs rosemary

Instructions

  • Dredge the pork shanks in flour seasoned with sea salt and black pepper.

  • Add vegetable oil to a large dutch oven (6-7 quarts or a large skillet) over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shanks for about 2 minutes on each side.

  • Once seared on all sides, remove the pork shanks from the pan and set aside until needed.

    **Discard the oil if it’s burnt and start with fresh oil, but don’t clean out the pan.We want all those tasty bits stuck to the pan for the sauce.

  • Add the celery, carrots, onions, to the pot. Let the vegetables cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until they have all been lightly cooked

  • After lightly cooking the vegetables, add the red wine to the dutch oven. Turn the heat down and scrape all the bits off the bottom of the pan.

    **This process is called deglazing.

  • After deglazing the pan, add the stock, tomatoes, tomato paste and herbs to the pot.

    Allow the mixture to simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes

  • Add the pork shanks back into the pot of tomato sauce. Cover and place into a preheated 325-degree oven and let the pork shanks braise in the sauce for 3 hours.

  • After three hours, the pork shanks will be fork tender and incredibly delicious. As you can see there is a good amount of fat that has been cooked off.

    Gently remove the pork shanks from the pan and skim off most of the fat. Mix the remaining fat into the sauce. This fat will add an incredible amount of flavor so don’t take it all out.

  • Spoon the finished tomato sauce onto a serving dish or casserole and place the pork shanks on the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.

  • Serve with potatoes, polenta, or your favorite pasta or grain and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 960kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 130g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 377mg | Sodium: 999mg | Potassium: 2904mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 6744IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 9mg

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About Chef Dennis

Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home.For more details, check out his About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Freddie

    Can this recipe be made a day ahead? Reheating directions?

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      Yes it can. Reheat in a casserole dish covered with foil at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the shank reads at least 165 degrees F.

      Reply

  2. Lisa B.

    Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (24)
    Spot On Chef Dennis!
    Made the Pork Osso Bucco last evening…flavors were incredible!
    Thank you…your recipes are always full of flavor, easy to follow and taste amazing. Keep Cooking.

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      Thanks for letting me know you’ve enjoyed the osso bucco Lisa. I hope you find more delicious recipes on my website to try.

      Reply

  3. Bonnie

    Would this be good with lamb shanks?

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      This recipe will work nicely with lamb shanks.

      Reply

      • Dee

        I have a package of precooked frozen pork shanks. Would this recipe work or would they be overcooked?

      • Chef Dennis Littley

        You can make the sauce for them, and add them in for about 30 minutes, but I wouldn’t advise cooking them much longer.

  4. Teri

    Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (25)
    Instead of braising in oven, can this be prepared in a crock pot?

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      It can be done in a slow cooker. The meat should still be seared before cooking, it can be cooked without searing but it won’t be as good.

      Reply

  5. Lois Luckovich

    Not many people in the younger set know what a treat osso bucco is. I for one as a member of the nearly 60 set will be making this as soon as I can get to a butcher.

    Reply

  6. Patsy

    If I were to double the recipe would the cooking time stay the same?

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      It shouldn’t change, after the searing and initial set up it’s all slow cooking. As long as you’ve got a big enough pot, you’ll be fine.

      Reply

      • Elaine Sclafani

        Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (26)
        To make osso-bucco for 8 dinner party, I should be able to easily double the recipe, yes? That should work out yummy, yes?

      • Chef Dennis Littley

        Yes you can easily double this recipe, you just need 2 dutch ovens or a roasting pan large enough to hold enough them.

« Older Comments

Restaurant Style Pork Osso Bucco Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is best cut of meat for osso bucco? ›

Beef Osso Buco uses Cross Cut Shanks for a traditional Italian dish topped with fresh parsley, garlic and orange zest.

What is pork osso bucco made from? ›

What part of the animal does Osso Bucco come from? Osso Buco is the shank (forearm) of the animal and includes a marrow bone at its center. This is a hard-working part of the animal but slow braising will yield a tender and decadent final dish.

Why is osso buco so expensive? ›

This was essentially once a peasant dish that has become so popular that veal shank is now incredibly expensive. In North America and in Britain, it's expensive, and hard to find. Even in Italy, veal shank is so expensive now that butchers have come up with a substitute.

What is the difference between osso bucco and shank? ›

Osso Bucco is from a beef shank which is a cross-cut of meat that comes from the lower leg of the cow. Beef Osso Busso also contains a bone with marrow in the center. While you can make Osso Bucco with either veal or beef, it is more common to use beef because it is widely available and less expensive than veal.

What meat is similar to Osso Bucco? ›

The obvious substitute would be beef shanks. A quick google for "osso bucco beef shanks" will give you all sorts of recipes. Veal shank is traditionally the cut for Osso Bucco, and gives the best result. Beef Shank can be substituted for Veal, but it will be much different in flavor and texture than veal.

Do you eat the marrow in osso buco? ›

The hole in the bone provides easy access to the marrow and those enjoying osso buco are encouraged to eat the delicious marrow. Remove the marrow with a small spoon and spread it on bread, mix it into the risotto or polenta, or just eat it as is. Gremolata.

What is traditionally served with osso buco? ›

Accompaniments. Risotto alla milanese is the traditional accompaniment to ossobuco in bianco, making for a one-dish meal. Ossobuco (especially the tomato-based version, prepared south of the Po River) is also eaten with polenta or mashed potatoes. South of the Po River, it is sometimes served with pasta.

What does osso buco mean in English? ›

osso bucco in British English

or ossobuco (ˈɒsəʊˈbʊkəʊ ) noun. a stew, originally from Italy, made with knuckle of veal, cooked in tomato sauce. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers.

Are pork shanks and pork hocks the same? ›

A ham hock, or pork knuckle, is the joint that attaches a pig's foot to its leg. While a hock is not technically an ankle, its anatomical location corresponds to that of a human ankle or lower calf region. Ham hocks are not to be confused with the pig's shank (shin) or trotter (foot).

Can you overcook Osso Bucco? ›

The initial searing of the meat is essential to the outcome of the dish — take care not to let the pieces touch in the pan while they are browning. Contrary to popular belief, you can overcook veal shanks, so pay careful attention to the final half-hour of cooking.

How do you know when osso buco is done? ›

Keep the lid on throughout cooking to trap the moisture inside and help keep the meat juicy. After about 2 hours, the Osso Buco should be quite tender. If they aren't quite there yet, return them to the oven and continue braising, checking every 15 minutes until fork-tender.

Is oxtail and Osso Bucco the same? ›

Osso Buco is traditionally an Italian dish made with veal shanks. In Japan, veal shank is difficult to find and oxtail is much more popular. This version of Osso Buco features oxtails which are first browned and then braised for 3 1/2-4 hours in Japanese flavorings.

What is a good substitute for osso buco? ›

Oxtail: I made Osso Buco with oxtail many years ago in college, and the rich flavor is still a food memory. Pieces of oxtail replace the veal shanks of the Northern Italian veal version, but the rest of the ingredients and braising time are similar.

Is osso buco fatty? ›

Osso buco literally translates as “bone's hole,” and is simply an inch and a half slab of shank with tough meat surrounding a large bone with a hole in the middle. What's inside that bone hole is the fatty, rich, spongy, bloody gelatinous marrow.

Is Osso Bucco tough? ›

Neck Osso Buco is best when cooked slowly and patiently. Although it is a little tougher than other cuts, a long cooking time will help tenderize it and will result in amazing flavor that will be well worth the wait. Leftovers always taste even better the next day, so go ahead and make a big batch!

What is a substitute for veal in osso bucco? ›

If veal shank is unavailable or out of your budget, substitute short ribs or nice meaty oxtails for a less expensive dish that will be every bit as delicious!

What is a substitute for veal in osso buco? ›

While osso buco is traditionally made with veal shanks, there are several suitable substitutes: 1. Beef shank: This is the same cut of meat, just on a full-grown cow, so it is the ideal substitute for veal.

Can you use beef instead of veal for osso bucco? ›

My Osso Buco

I don't use veal, but rather beef shanks cut cross-wise. I use red wine and tomato paste in the braising liquid. I don't serve it with gremolata. And thanks to Jim, it usually gets served over garlic mashed potatoes!

Can you make osso buco with beef instead of veal? ›

It is a tough and flavorful cut that benefits from slow cooking methods like braising or stewing to become tender and develop rich flavors. So, while osso buco is commonly associated with veal shanks, using beef shanks can be a delicious and more affordable alternative.

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