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Osso buco is one of those dishes that seem super intimidating because all fancy restaurants have it on their menu. The name is fancy but that’s the only thing that’s fancy about it. Everything about osso buco is simple especially the preparation of it in a slow cooker. I guess everything but the flavor. That is quite possibly the best part when you first take a bite into this slow cooker osso buco.
This slow cooker osso buco recipe comes from Gina Homolka, blogger of Skinnytaste and NYT best-selling author (twice) for her cookbooks! This recipe comes from her latest cookbook, Skinnytaste Fast and Slow, and already one of my favorites in my large collection of cookbooks. I love the variety of recipes in it but most importantly, all the quick recipes for busy weeknights and also the slow cooker recipes. Who doesn’t love a good slow cooker recipe?
Not to mention her recipes are healthy, as well, which is in line with her blog’s philosophy: delicious, healthy, low fat, family-friendly!
This slow cooker osso buco was phenomenal. Fork tender and full of flavor. As Gina says, “as it cooks over the course of the day, the house becomes filled with a savory ‘welcome home’ aroma.”
Special occasion or cravings for that restaurant dish, you can’t go wrong with making this at home in the slow cooker and being in the comfort of your own home!
Slow Cooker Osso Buco
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 pieces veal shank, each about 1 1/4 inches thick (about 2 pounds total)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- ⅓ cup chopped celery
- ⅓ cup chopped carrots
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ¼ cups canned crushed tomatoes
- ¾ cup beef broth
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
- Chopped fresh parsley, for topping
The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Season veal shanks with salt then sear all four sides until browned but not cooked through. Add to the insert of a slow cooker.
- Then add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, black pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Stir to mix a bit.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Discard sprigs of thyme and rosemary. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top prior to serving, if desired.
Recipe Notes
NUTRITION FACTS
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.
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Gary R.
Monday 26th of September 2022
Really good Osso Bucco. Made mine basically as your recipe with a couple exceptions. I learned from my mother to cook with red/white wine, brandy or beer, I guess from her French background, so I used a cup of burgundy. A 1/4 cup burgundy with 1/4 cup beef broth went in to deglaze my pan with the onions (chopped leeks) before being added to the slow cooker. My wife likes the baby carrots medley so that’s what I used instead of chopped carrots. The rest of the burgundy and beef broth went directly into the slow cooker. My wife has dementia so I do the cooking and recipes are focused on what she likes and will eat. She really liked this recipe.
William Smith
Sunday 7th of August 2022
So as a home welcoming, a family friend and his wife went away on vacation to the Bahamas, they'll come home to this very dish with this very recipe. Served over white rice, as a thank you for everything they've done for me. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks in advance.
Rose
Wednesday 20th of October 2021
This was very good! I made it exactly as written and left it in my crockpot for 10 hrs on low. The meat fell off the bones and was sooo good. We put it over rice and it was great. Dinner was ready when we arrived home and the house smelled great!
Danni
Saturday 27th of February 2021
Can you make this from frozen? I have beef osso bucco
Caryn Menard
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
@Julie Chiou, you should never cook frozen meat in your slow cooker. At the low temp of a slow cooker bacteria can run rampant.
Julie Chiou
Sunday 28th of February 2021
yes, you should be able to! just might have to cook slightly longer since it'll be real thick and frozen
Bonita Johnson
Friday 22nd of May 2020
can this be made with pork shanks
Glen Parrott
Friday 23rd of December 2022
@Julie Wampler,
My wife and I spend the winter in Mexico and slow cooker osso buco is a staple in our house. Veal shanks are (pretty much) unheard...but every grocery store carries pork shanks.
Long story short, although the pork shanks are generally shorter than the desired (2") length, they work great with this recipe.
Glen & Janis Parrott
Julie Wampler
Wednesday 27th of May 2020
I haven't tried that before so I'm not sure how it would turn out