Name: Pork Shank Osso Buco
Total time: 240 min
Ingredients: 6 pork shanks (7 1/2 pounds; see Note); Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large white onion, chopped; 1 large carrot, chopped; 1 celery rib, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 anchovy fillets, minced; 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 1 cup dry white wine; Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes; 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth; 5 thyme sprigs; 2 rosemary sprigs; 2 bay leaves; Creamy polenta, for serving

Pork Shank Osso Buco

3 Reviews

In place of the veal shanks typically used in osso buco, Jimmy Bannos Jr. braises pork shanks with tomatoes and wine. He adds anchovies, crushed red pepper and lemon zest to the braise, creating a complex and deeply flavored sauce that's phenomenal served over creamy polenta. Recipe from Food & Wine America's Greatest New Cooks

Jimmy Bannos Jr.

Updated on July 11, 2022

Pork Shank Osso Buco — Photo: © Christina Holmes

Active Time:

1 hrs

Total Time:

4 hrs

Yield:

6 to 8

Ingredients

6 pork shanks (7 1/2 pounds; see Note)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large white onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 anchovy fillets, minced
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 cup dry white wine
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
5 thyme sprigs
2 rosemary sprigs
2 bay leaves
Creamy polenta, for serving

Directions

In a baking dish, season the pork shanks with salt and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 325°. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add 3 of the shanks in a single layer and cook over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer the shanks to a large roasting pan. Repeat with the remaining 3 shanks.
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the casserole. Add the onion, carrot, celery and a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and just starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, anchovies, lemon zest and crushed red pepper and cook until fragrant. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stock, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Pour the mixture over the shanks in the roasting pan. Cover tightly with foil and braise in the oven for about 3 hours, until the meat is very tender.
Transfer the pork shanks to a platter and tent with foil. Discard the herbs and spoon off the fat from the sauce. Working in batches, puree the sauce in a blender until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper. Spoon some of the sauce over the pork shanks and pass the remaining sauce at the table. Serve the osso buco with creamy polenta.