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Next-Level Bone-in Beef Shank Recipes

Bone-in beef shanks are one of the most underestimated cuts of meat. They’re tender, tasty, succulent, and affordable. You just need to know how to cook them well!  First, meat quality is key—no one wants to eat grisly, tough beef shanks. That’s why it’s crucial to choose grass-fed beef. It packs in way more nutrition and flavor.  As an added bonus, grass-fed beef shanks like ours are raised using regenerative grazing practices, which is good for the environment.  Let’s dive into the recipes!  Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2-3 hours Servings: 4 What You’ll Need 2 lbs grass-fed beef shank bone, diced 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 carrots, chopped 2 cups beef broth 1 cup red wine  2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried rosemary Salt and pepper to taste Extra virgin olive oil How to Cook Bone-in Beef Shank Beef shank is comforting, hearty, and delicious. Below, we’ll walk you through our favorite three ways to cook it, depending on your time and the utensils you have.  Dutch Oven Beef Shank  This dish is perfect for cold Autumn afternoons. It’s warming, nourishing, and mouth-wateringly tasty.  Season the chopped beef shank with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsps of olive oil over medium-high heat in the Dutch oven. Add the beef shank pieces and cook for 4 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Set the shanks aside.  Add the chopped onion and carrots to the pot and cook until the onions are browned. Add in the minced garlic and stir for a minute.  Stir in the tomato paste, red wine, beef broth, and herbs. Simmer for 3 minutes.  Place the beef shank pieces back in the pot, submerging them in the mixture. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 3 hours, until the meat falls off the bone.  Serve!  Handy tip: Instead of simmering on the stovetop for 3 hours, you can place your Dutch oven in a preheated oven. Cook for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is succulent and tender.  Braised Beef Shank If you have a little more time and want to cook a bone-in beef shank that’s even more tender, try this braising recipe. Follow the recipe above until step 5. Pour the mixture into a slow cooker and add the seared beef shanks.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone. Smoked Beef Shank Beef shank isn’t just for the winter months! Get out your smoker for a barbecue centerpiece your guests will love.  Preheat the smoker to 225°F Season the beef shank with your favorite dry rub. Carefully place the beef shank pieces in the smoker. Cook for 4-6 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 190°F. Rest the meat for 10 minutes for maximum juiciness. Then, serve!  Side Dishes to Pair with Beef Shank Beef shank with the bone in is a staple across cuisines for good reason! It’s incredibly versatile—you can pair it with all kinds of sides!  Here are some of our favorites: Smoked beef shank tacos with guacamole and spicy rice  Braised beef shank stew with creamy mashed potatoes and roasted green beans or carrots Tender beef shank stew with sweet potato and buttered peas  Braised beef shank ragu with pappardelle pasta  Expert Tips & Tricks For a slightly sweeter dish, add a heaped spoon of honey to the slow cooker when you add the red wine and beef broth.  If you prefer a more savory, umami flavor, swap out the honey for a generous splash of Worcester sauce.  You can store these dishes in the fridge for up to three days, or in the freezer for 3 months.  Source the best quality bones you can. Grass-fed beef bones are more sustainable and increase the nutrition and flavor of your meals. You also ensure what you’re eating is free of antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals. Recipe FAQs How long does it take to cook beef shank in the oven? It’s best to cook beef shank low and slow in the oven. Leave it to cook on low to medium heat for 2-3 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone.  Does beef shank get tender? Yes! Beef shank becomes incredibly tender and juicy when you slow cook it. What is beef shank best for? Beef shank is best for slow-cooked stews and casseroles. You can also cook it in the smoker for a delicious barbecue dish. Is there another name for beef shank? Beef shank has several other names, including beef foreshank, beef Osso Bucco cut, shank meat, and leg boil. However, they all refer to the same thing!  Ready to Cook?  Try these delicious beef shank recipes with our grass-fed beef shanks. As always, we love to know how your dishes turned out! So please send your photos in and leave your thoughts below.  Want more beef recipes? How about our Tender Beef Oxtail Stew recipe?

Fall on the Farm...What's Happening in the Soil?

Fall in the Midwest is a wonderful time for folks to enjoy cooler weather, bright colors, fun festivals and delicious seasonal meals (and treats) 😁 It's also a wonderful (and important) time of year on the farm. While the grass has been growing robustly all season long, grazing season is winding down. We farmers can be tempted to let the livestock eat the last bit of grass down to the roots before winter sets in.

3 Ways Grass-fed Butter is Superior to Grain-fed Butter

Saturated fat will clog your arteries, at least that is what we have been lead to believe. But new studies are showing that consuming saturated fats from grass-fed cows is actually good for your health. Butter is a great source of saturated fats, so here are 3 ways grass-fed butter is superior to grain-fed butter.

What Are Lectin-Free Eggs?

In the past few decades, more and more clinical research has been devoted to better understanding the connection between the foods we eat and the incidence of disease. There have been several vital food-disease relationships discovered and communicated to the public on the new, in books, podcasts and more. A few familiar such food-disease relationships are...

Freedom and the Family Farm

On this weekend leading up to the 4th of July I spent time reflecting about what freedom and independence mean for me as a regenerative farmer. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for the privilege my family has to produce wholesome food for you right here on U.S. soil. We recognize our freedoms would not be here today without the immense sacrifices from our service men and women, past and present. We are incredibly grateful and vow to continue to act courageously to honor their sacrifices.

Response to mRNA Vaccines

Due to recent news articles about using new mRNA vaccines for cattle, our team and family have received numerous emails and phone calls about this topic. I invite you to read the blog post below, where I've posted my research and answers to commonly asked questions.

Simple Beef Liver with Onion Recipes

Beef liver is an often-overlooked cut of meat that can be delicious—especially when paired with sweet, buttery caramelized onions. All beef liver is rich in iron and vitamin A. However, research shows grass-fed beef liver is four times more nutrient-dense than grain-fed. It’s also the more ethical and sustainable choice. Our regenerative grazing process boosts the animals' health and well-being, making it an even healthier option. So, here’s how to cook it to perfection! Prep time: 40-45 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients 1 lb. grass-fed and grass-finished beef liver, sliced 2 large onions, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup milk (for soaking the liver) 1/2 cup flour Salt and pepper to taste 2 Tbsp oil (Extra virgin or avocado – or you can use butter) Instructions Below, we’ve shared two of our favorite ways to cook beef liver and onions. Both make for a delicious, tender liver dish. But cooking liver in the pan is quicker if you're pressed for time.  How to Prepare Beef Liver Whether you cook your beef liver in the pan or the oven, the first step you’ll need to take is preparing it. Here’s what to do: Place sliced beef liver in a bowl and pour milk over it, covering completely Soak for 30 minutes to tenderize After 30 minutes, remove the liver from the bowl and pat dry  Fill a shallow dish with the flour and season Dredge each slice of beef liver through flour and place on a plate.  How to Cook Liver in a Pan This is a quick and simple way to cook beef liver and onions:  Heat one tbsp of oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, cooking until soft and golden brown.  Once cooked, remove the onions and place on the side.  Add another tbsp of oil or butter to the pan. Add the minced garlic, stirring for 30 seconds. Add the liver slices, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side.  Remove the liver from the pan when the outside is browned, but the middle of each slice is still slightly pink.  Serve and enjoy!  How to Prepare Beef Liver in the Oven If you’ve got a little more time and want a less hands-on recipe, give this oven-baked liver recipe a go: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the liver slices and onion slices on a lined baking sheet and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in the oven for 18 minutes, turning the liver halfway through. Remove when the liver is completely browned but still slightly pink inside.  Side Dishes to Pair with Beef Liver Beef liver is a tasty, versatile dish you can enjoy anytime! Here are some of our family’s favorite ways to serve beef liver for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Breakfast  Fried beef liver, caramelized onions, and sunny-side-up eggs Swap traditional sausages for a yummy twist: beef liver, biscuits, and old-fashioned gravy  Lunch  Roasted beef liver, onion, and horseradish sandwich  Sticky Chinese beef liver stir fry with mushrooms and egg noodles  Dinner Beef liver spaghetti bolognaise  Creamy mashed potatoes and fried beef liver on a bed of spinach and peas Expert Tips & Tricks  Be careful of overcooking the liver! This delicate, tender organ meat should be a touch pink when you remove it from the pan or oven.  For extra sweetness, add a tablespoon of maple syrup to your onions as they pan fry.  If you like zesty flavors, add a dash of balsamic vinegar to the liver just before serving—the vinegar's acidity pairs wonderfully with the liver's richness.  Source the best quality organ meats to ensure you get the most nutrition and flavor. Plus, you’ll avoid harmful chemicals and antibiotics often found in conventionally raised animals. Recipe FAQs How long do you cook beef liver? If you cook beef liver in the pan, it will take 2-3 minutes. In the oven, it will take roughly 18 minutes. How do you make beef liver tender? For maximum tenderness, cut the beef liver into slices and soak in milk for half an hour before cooking. Why do you soak liver in milk before cooking? Soaking beef liver in milk before cooking helps to tenderize the meat.  Do you rinse beef liver before cooking? No, you don’t need to rinse beef liver before cooking, but we do recommend soaking it in milk for half an hour before cooking.  What is the best way to cook beef liver? To get the tastiest results from beef liver, it’s best to sear the meat to medium-rare so that it stays tender and has a slightly creamy texture.Is chicken or beef liver healthier?Both chicken and beef liver are low on calories and incredibly nutrient-rich with many vitamins and minerals each. They are both healthy in different ways and both have their place on the dinner table. Explore in depth the differences between chicken liver and beef liver. Let’s Get Cooking! Try our delicious grass-fed beef liver today. As always, we’d love to know what you think! So, let us know if you tried our recipes and how it turned out! Curious for more beef recipes? Try our Dutch Oven Beef Shank recipe or Tender Beef Oxtail Stew.