Description

This easy slow cooker beef shank recipe transforms often-overlooked cuts into tender, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness, perfect for busy families craving comforting, hearty home-cooked meals without the fuss. Let your slow cooker develop rich, deep flavors all day with simple steps and affordable ingredients.

Ingredients

3.3 lb bone-in beef shanks, cut into 2–3 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon ground ginger
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1.5 teaspoons fine sea salt, or to taste
0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
2 cups Halal-certified beef broth or vegetable broth
0.5 cup pitted Medjool dates, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons preserved lemon rind, finely chopped (avoiding pulp)

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Instructions

Pat and Season Beef: Pat beef shanks very dry; season generously with salt and pepper for rich flavor development.
Sear the Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef shanks in batches until deeply browned, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer seared beef to your 5-7 liter slow cooker.
Saute Aromatics: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Saute diced onions until softened and translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Toast Spices: Stir in cumin, coriander, paprika, ginger, and cinnamon. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the spices are wonderfully fragrant.
Combine in Slow Cooker: Pour the spiced onion mixture over the beef shanks in the slow cooker. Add broth, dates, lemon rind, salt, and pepper. Ensure liquid mostly covers the meat.
Set and Cook: Cover the slow cooker; cook on low for 7-9 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and falling off the bone.

Notes

Use low-sodium broth to control salt content. Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker; cook in batches if necessary to maintain consistent heat and tenderness. Ensure liquid covers at least 3/4 of the meat for even, moist cooking and a rich sauce. Consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, or a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor. Bone-in chuck roast is a suitable alternative if beef shanks are unavailable.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 480 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 piece beef shank with sauce (approx. 200 g)
Calories: 400 calories
Sugar: 20 g
Sodium: 550 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg