Best Garlic Braised Beef Shanks Recipes

GARLIC-BRAISED BEEF SHANKS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pat shanks dry and rub all over with salt and pepper. Dredge shanks in flour, turning to coat. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown shanks on all sides in 3 batches, adding 1/2 tablespoon oil if necessary, 5 to 6 minutes per batch.
• Transfer shanks to a large roasting pan. Add broth and water to skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up brown bits. Nestle garlic (cut sides down), zest, thyme, and bay leaves with celery and carrots around shanks in pan and add broth mixture. Cover surface with a sheet of parchment paper and tightly cover pan with foil. Transfer to oven and braise until meat is very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Skim off and discard fat from cooking liquid and cool mixture completely, uncovered, about 1 hour, then chill, covered, at least 6 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (leave rack in middle position).
• Skim off and discard any remaining fat from surface of pan juices and reheat shank mixture, covered, in oven, turning shanks over once, 1 hour. Discard bay leaf, thyme sprigs, and zest. Transfer shanks and vegetables with garlic to a serving dish and keep warm, covered. If pan juices measure more than 3 cups, boil in a cleaned 12-inch skillet until reduced; if less, add water. Squeeze garlic pulp from 1 head into pan juices, discarding skin, and whisk to incorporate, then add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Pour sauce over shanks and serve, along with vegetables and remaining garlic heads.

GARLIC-BRAISED BEEF SHANKS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pat shanks dry and rub all over with salt and pepper.
• Dredge shanks in flour, turning to coat. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown shanks on all sides in 3 batches, adding 1/2 tablespoon oil if necessary, 5 to 6 minutes per batch.
• Transfer shanks to a large roasting pan.
• Add broth and water to skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up brown bits.
• Nestle garlic (cut sides down), zest, thyme, and bay leaves with celery and carrots around shanks in pan and add broth mixture. Cover surface with a sheet of parchment paper and tightly cover pan with foil. Transfer to oven and braise until meat is very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• Skim off and discard fat from cooking liquid and cool mixture completely, uncovered, about 1 hour, then chill, covered, at least 6 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (leave rack in middle position).
• Skim off and discard any remaining fat from surface of pan juices and reheat shank mixture, covered, in oven, turning shanks over once, 1 hour.
• Discard bay leaf, thyme sprigs, and zest. Transfer shanks and vegetables with garlic to a serving dish and keep warm, covered.
• If pan juices measure more than 3 cups, boil in a cleaned 12-inch skillet until reduced; if less, add water. Squeeze garlic pulp from 1 head into pan juices, discarding skin, and whisk to incorporate.
• Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour sauce over shanks and serve, along with vegetables and remaining garlic heads.
• Cooks' note: Braised shank mixture can be chilled, covered, up to 2 days.

RED WINE BRAISED BEEF SHANKS WITH ROASTED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• If the shanks have a white membrane around the outside, slit that membrane from top to bottom all around the meat to prevent curling during cooking.
• Season the beef shanks with salt and pepper.
• Dredge the beef shanks in the seasoned flour, coating each side completely.
• When the oil is hot, sear the beef shanks for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until brown on all sides.
• Remove the shanks and set aside.
• Add the onions to the pan and saute for 2 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the celery, carrots and parsnips, and continue to saute for 1 minute.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the garlic and herbs.
• Cook for 1 minute.
• Deglaze the pan with the red wine, scraping the bottom and sides to loosen the browned particles.
• Add the stock and mushrooms.
• Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
• Add the beef shanks and continue to cook for about 2-4 hours, basting the shanks often, or until the sauce is stew-like and the meat starts to fall off the bone.
• You can leave it to simmer on the stove, or put the whole pot into a 300 degree oven.
• Season with salt and pepper if needed.
• If sauce is not thick enough, add cornstarch mixed with sauce from stew.
• About half an hour before you are ready to serve, make the potatoes.
• Boil and drain the potatoes.
• Add seasonings and butter, then about 1/3 c half and half.
• Mash to desired consistency, adding more cream as necessary.
• To serve, mound garlic mashed potatoes in the center of the plate.
• Lay a beef shank beside the potatoes and spoon some of the gravy over the top.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve.