This Osso Buco Recipe, Italian for bone with a hole, is made with veal shanks braised with vegetables and wine until they fall off the bone.

This Italian Braised Veal originated in Milan and is slow-cooked until infused with flavor and perfectly tender and delicious!

Osso Buco a L'arman over rice in a white bowl

Why You Must Make

  • This is a Dorie Greenspan recipe and is well tested and well-loved.
  • Veal shanks are slow-cooked in an orange tomato sauce until it’s falling off the bone.
  • Adding a slosh of red wine ups the flavor even more.
Overhead view of Osso Buco a L'arman in a white bowl over a green and white checked napkin.

Slow-Cooked Veal Shanks

Even I was drawn in by the intoxicating aroma of this veal simmering away in the oven bathed in a delicious braising sauce. It’s usually just cookies that get to me! And, as I predicted, the hubby raved about his dinner. Though he did think the orange zest was overkill. Sheesh. Score one for Dorie!!!

Recipe Notes:

  • Add a slosh of red wine (a half-cup would be a reasonable amount) to her recipe to up the flavor complexity. Like salt, wine is a flavor enhancer and will add a delicious undertone to the dish.
  • If you ever see veal shanks at your market, consider making this scrumptious, comforting braised veal recipe. Or ask your butcher to order some.
Osso Buco a L'arman in a white bowl over rice topped with orange gremolata.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Osso Buco?

The Italian translation is “bone with a hole,” referring to the pieces of veal shank of which it’s made. An Italian comfort food, the shanks are slowly braised in a wine, herb, and tomato sauce until perfectly tender. This version has a French twist with thyme, basil, and herbes de Provence. It’s often topped with a gremolata (see more below).

What is Gremolata?

Gremolata is a minced herb garnish typically served with osso buco. Usually made with parsley, lemon zest, and garlic, Dorie tweaks her recipe to mimic the orange and basil in her osso buco.

Dust your finished dish with orange gremolata right before serving. This extra step makes for a restaurant-worthy osso buco recipe!

What Makes Osso Buco so Popular?

First, the bone marrow provides an amazing flavor that transforms ordinary ingredients into something fabulous! Plus, the gremolata gives a bright refreshing boost of flavor.

You May Also Like:

Stay in touch through social media @ InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes! And if you love the results, please give it a 5-star rating in the recipe card.

Osso Buco a L'arman | an outstanding version of this Italian classic from Dorie Greenspan

Osso Buco à L'arman

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Yield 4

A French twist on the classic Italian braised veal shanks

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons, divided
  • 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (Arman used 2 teaspoons dried)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (Arman used 2 teaspoons dried)
  • 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
  • 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in tomato puree
  • 5 medium tomatoes, sliced
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in ¼ cup boiling water
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 4 veal shanks, cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths
  • 4 large carrots, trimmed, peeled, and thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and pour in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, and herbs and cook, stirring to soften.
  2. Using scissors, reach into the can of tomatoes and snip the tomatoes into pieces. Add the fresh and canned tomatoes, liquid included, the bouillon.
  3. Bring the sauce to a boil, season with salt and pepper, then lower the temperature and let it simmer gently while you brown the veal.
  4. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
  5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
  6. Pat the veal dry and season lightly with pepper. Brown the veal lightly on both sides. Remove from the pan and place it into the simmering sauce. Add some of the pan drippings to the sauce, too, if desired.
  7. Place the carrots over the veal. Cut a circle of parchment paper just large enough to fit inside the Dutch oven and lay the paper on top of the osso buco.
  8. Simmer for 5 minutes more, then place the lid on the pot set in the oven.
  9. Cook the osso buco undisturbed for 2 hours, at which point the meat should be fork-tender.
  10. Carefully remove the lid and the parchment paper and, with a large spoon, skim any excess fat from the top before serving.
  11. Sprinkle with gremolata to serve

Notes

Adapted from Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan.

Add ½ cup red wine to the sauce to enhance the flavor even more!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 veal shank

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 501Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 241mgSodium: 558mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 8gSugar: 16gProtein: 67g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Osso bucco in a white bowl

Orange-Basil Gremolata for Osso Buco

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Yield 4 servings

Topping for the Italian classic Osso Bucco from Dorie Greenspan

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup orange zest, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in small bowl about an hour before serving. Cover with plastic to keep mixture moist.
  2. Sprinkle over plated osso buco before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Skinny Tip

I’m offering a series of Skinny Tips. How I keep slim is one of my most frequent inquiries. I’ll feature more tips on some of my upcoming blog posts. Click on the #SkinnyTip tag at the end of this post to see all my previous tips.

Tip #49: Portion out healthy snacks for the week and have them close at hand to grab when you get a hunger pang. Make sure to include some protein like nuts or cheese to help keep you full longer.