Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsAssaggio RistoranteOsso Buco Recipe

Osso Buco Recipe

Time3h
Serves4

Slow-cooked organic veal shank with vegetables and white wine, served over Arborio rice.

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Ingredients

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Osso Buco (braised veal shanks)

Method

Osso Buco (braised veal shanks)

  1. 1

    Prepare and season shanks

    Pat the veal shanks dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Lightly dredge each shank in the flour, shaking off excess.

  2. 2

    Brown shanks

    Heat 2 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs butter in a large heavy-bottomed ovenproof pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until oil shimmers. Working in batches, add shanks and brown well on both sides, about 4–5 minutes per side. Transfer browned shanks to a plate.

  3. 3

    Sauté vegetables

    Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs butter to the pot. Add chopped onion, diced carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, about 8–10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes to caramelize.

  4. 4

    Deglaze and build braising liquid

    Pour in 1 cup dry white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer until wine is reduced by about half, 3–4 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, 3 cups stock, thyme sprigs, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.

  5. 5

    Braise shanks

    Return browned shanks to the pot, nestling them into the liquid so that about two-thirds of each shank is submerged (add a bit more stock or water if necessary). Bring liquid to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C). Braise until meat is fork-tender and starting to pull away from the bone, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

  6. 6

    Finish sauce

    When shanks are tender, transfer them to a warm platter and tent with foil. Skim any excess fat from the surface of the braising liquid. Place the pot over medium-high heat on the stovetop and reduce the liquid until slightly thickened, about 8–10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

  7. 7

    Make gremolata

    While the sauce reduces, combine 1 tbs minced garlic, 2 tbs finely chopped parsley, and 1 tbs lemon zest in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt. This bright garnish is served raw over the finished osso buco.

  8. 8

    Serve

    Spoon a generous portion of warm Arborio rice onto each plate. Place a veal shank on top, spoon hot braising sauce and vegetables over the shank, and sprinkle gremolata over the top. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Arborio Rice (risotto-style base)

  1. 9

    Prepare stock and aromatics

    Keep 4 cups of stock hot in a saucepan over low heat. In a separate heavy saucepan, heat 1 tbs olive oil and 2 tbs butter over medium heat until butter melts. Add the finely chopped shallot and cook, stirring, until translucent and soft, about 3–4 minutes.

  2. 10

    Toast rice and deglaze

    Add 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice to the shallot and stir to coat the grains with fat. Cook, stirring, 2–3 minutes until edges of rice look translucent. Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and cook, stirring, until the wine is mostly absorbed.

  3. 11

    Cook risotto

    Begin adding the hot stock one ladleful (about 1/2 cup) at a time, stirring frequently and allowing the liquid to be almost fully absorbed before adding the next ladle. Continue until rice is creamy and al dente, about 18–20 minutes and using most or all of the 4 cups of stock.

  4. 12

    Finish risotto

    Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, 2 tbs butter, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. Let sit covered for 1–2 minutes to meld; risotto should be creamy, not soupy.

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