Traditional Osso Buco

Believe it or not, you can make restaurant-worthy osso buco at home — you just need the right recipe. That's where we come in! This traditional osso buco recipe produces flavorful, tender, and absolutely mouthwatering veal shanks every time.

What Is Osso Buco?

Osso buco is an Italian dish of braised veal shanks, which are cross-cut from the leg bone beneath the knee and shoulder. The shank is a tougher cut of meat, so slow cooking in liquid is essential for the melt-in-your-mouth texture that osso buco is known for.

The dish, a staple of Lombard cuisine, is traditionally garnished with gremolata (a green, herbaceous sauce with lots of bright flavor).

Learn more: What Is Veal?

How to Make Osso Buco

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this top-rated osso buco:

Sear the Meat

Lightly dust the veal with flour and melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the veal shanks until they're browned on both sides. Remove the veal from the skillet and set aside.

Braise the Meat

Cook the onions and two cloves of garlic in the skillet until the onions are tender. Return the veal to the skillet, then add the carrots and wine. Simmer for about 10 minutes, then add the remaining osso buco ingredients (tomatoes, stock, and seasonings). Cover and simmer over low heat, basting often, until the meat is tender.

Garnish the Osso Buco

Mix the parsley, remaining garlic, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Drizzle over the osso buco just before serving.

What to Serve With Osso Buco

Osso buco is traditionally served over polenta, mashed potatoes, or risotto alla milanese (a risotto made with beef bone marrow, stock, and saffron).

As far as wines go, osso buco pairs perfectly with a full-bodied red such as Chianti or cabernet sauvignon.

How to Store Osso Buco

Store your leftover osso buco in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in the oven.

Can You Freeze Osso Buco?

Yes, you can freeze cooked veal shanks. Wrap the cooked veal shanks tightly in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This dish was amazing," raves thecornercottage. "My husband couldn't believe I cooked it! It's actually better than some osso buco we've had at expensive celebrity restaurants."

"Very good, and relatively easy for osso buco," according to BETHMCNICK. "Make sure to add enough salt and pepper. I added it to the meat when I floured it, and also before simmering."

"This recipe was extremely easy to follow and tasted great," says MKENYON. "I followed it to the letter and we all loved it. The meat was super succulent and the sauce was delicious."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams