5best2buy
The Recipe · No.314 · Osso Buco

Osso Buco, and where to source it

Osso Buco — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Osso Buco Italian 5best2buy.com

Tie each shank around the middle with twine so it holds its round shape through the long braise instead of falling apart. Keep the liquid at a bare simmer for two hours or more; a hard boil toughens the collagen instead of dissolving it.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep30 min
Cook2 hr 30 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineItalian
Cost$$$
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Veal shanks
Cross-cut 2-inch shanks with the marrow bone; the connective tissue is what makes the sauce silky.
4 shanks (about 3 lb)
Flour
A light dusting for browning and to lightly body the braising liquid.
1/2 cup
Canned tomatoes
A cup of crushed tomatoes for depth and a touch of acid in the braise.
1 cup
Butter
With oil for browning, and a knob to finish the sauce.
2 tbsp
Olive oil
For the initial sear that builds the fond.
2 tbsp
Lemon
Zest for the gremolata, the raw hit that cuts the richness at the table.
1, zested
Onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and white wine
The soffritto and 1 cup dry white wine; garlic and parsley go into the gremolata.
1 each, 3 cloves, 1 cup wine
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortA project
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Tie and brownTie each shank around the middle, dredge in flour, and brown in oil and butter until deep gold on both faces.
  2. SoffrittoSoften diced onion, carrot, and celery in the fat until sweet, then add garlic and deglaze with the wine.
  3. Braise lowAdd tomatoes and stock to come halfway up the shanks. Cover and braise at 325F for 2 to 2.5 hours until fork-tender.
  4. GremolataChop lemon zest, garlic, and parsley together and scatter over the shanks just before serving.
The Toolkit

Dutch oven · Kitchen twine · Fine grater · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make Osso Buco in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Osso Buco? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Osso Buco ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Osso Buco gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Osso Buco vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Italian recipes
SaltimboccaAranciniCannoliCheese RavioliTortelliniCannelloni
All Italian recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.314

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →