The Best Slow Cooked Pomegranate Beef Shank

When my husband and I first got married I was heavily criticised for the way I made my roast dinner, and not by him, by others, but that's irrelevant. This beef shank was no excpetion.

You see making a good roast is not easy but it's not difficult either. For some, it can take years of practice resulting in acquiring extensive knowledge and experience in the matter.

Also for a newly married woman, I wasn't doing so bad, considering doing a roast is a rather big thing to tackle and I was used to making dinner for one.

You see there's nothing wrong with criticism as long as it's constructive with a pinch of kindness. Instead of saying 'this is not good', you can try, 'it might be nice to try it this way next time and see if you like it'.

So my big advice to you is, if you and only you are not happy with it then keep trying!



Picture this, it’s a cold winter day, it’s raining outside and you’re looking for a heartwarming dish to make for dinner. What I describe is literally the Uk weather right now! So this slow-cooked pomegranate beef shank is the way to go!

Introducing this deeply flavoured, alcohol-free, beef shank recipe that will bring the taste of fancy restaurants to your own kitchen!

Best Beef Shank in Town!

Hearty Beef Shanks with Pomegranate Recipe, served with carrots and potatoes
hey, is your mouth watering too?

Beauty Takes time

Do not be fooled by the time this beef shank takes to cook! It’s actually very convenient for busy moms, you literally just put your ingredients in the oven, leave it cooking and come back to a delicious, fully-cooked meal.

Did you leave it in the oven a little too much?😰 Well no worries! One of my favorite things about this dish is that it could never be overcooked! Worst case scenario, the meat falls off the bones.


What To Serve With Your Beef Shank

This dish is best enjoyed when accompanied by something delicious to bring that heavenly taste to life!

Did you know that you could actually serve this pomegranate beef shank in wraps? Just like shawarma! This makes it a perfect pack-and-go sandwich for work or school.

In the Middle East, it's very common to serve almost anything with a bowl of rice, and I can see why! Along with the salad, it makes the perfect pair to everything!

You could never go wrong with some smooth, creamy mashed potatoes on the side!

Another big thing in the Middle East is bread, pita bread more specifically :)


A hearty meal for you and your family!

Beef Shanks recipe made in a the oven with pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top
perfect for cold nights!

Pro Tips

Cut the top of the garlic head and leave the end so it can hold together.

To avoid the potatoes and carrots from becoming too soft, it's ideal to add them an hour or so later.

You could make this recipe in a slow cooker, stovetop, oven, or in an instant pot.


Ingredients

  • Boneless beef shank
  • Large potatoes
  • Yellow onion
  • Leek
  • Butter
  • Purpose flour

Seasonings to sauté

  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Bay leaves
The ingredients needed to make the best

Steps to Prep The Best Beef Shank

First, put half of your butter into a pot, then brown the beef joint, and round them on each side just to lock the moisture in. Do it for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Melt your butter in an oven-friendly pan on medium heat at 180° for about 4 hours.

Then, take the beef joint out, and put the rest of your butter with the meat juices that were already in there.

Sauté your onion and leek with the butter until they become golden and translucent, after that, add your spices and all-purpose flour.

Next, add your peeled carrot chunks and quartered potatoes, give it a nice mix then pop the joint to the center of it.

After that, mix 2 vegetable organic bouillon cubes with hot water, and pour them into the pot.

Afterwards, take 2 full heads of garlic and place them in the pot, and drop one cinnamon stick in the pot as well. Put the lid on and put it in the oven to cook for an hour and a half.


beef, garlic, carrots potatoes and cinnamon put together in a pot to cook

To make the sauce, use good quality pomegranate molasses and double concentrate or organic tomato purée, mix it together well in 2 cups of water and add that as well.

Adding red sauce to the pot after an hour and a half

Finally, put the lid on and cook it for another 2 hours on the same heat until your meat is fork-tender.

And there you have it!

Italian osso buco instant pot
looks amazing!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store this pomegranate beef shank?

Your leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 5 to 6 days in the fridge. It can also be stored in the freezer for up to a month.

Can I substitute lamb with beef in this recipe?

Yes, you can!

Why does beef shank take so long?

Beef shank is actually a tough muscle, that's why it needs time to cook and become tender.

Such a brilliant way to serve!

Beef shanks with pomegranate seeds served beautifully with vegetables
this tender meat is pulling at my heartstrings!

If you do make this recipe, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It's my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you are all making. Click here to check out the full video.

And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments, or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I'd love to hear from you :)


Other Recipes You Must Try

Courses ,
Time
Cook Time: 4 4 hrs Total Time: 4 hrs
Ingredients
  • kilogram Beef shank (boneless)
  • 100 grams butter
  • 1 large yellow onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 large leek (finely chopped)
  • tablespoon All purpose flour
  • 3 potatoes (peeled, quartered)
  • 3 Large carrots (cut into 3-4cm chunks)
  • 2 organic vegetable bouillon cubes
  • 2 heads garlic
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • Seasonings to sauté onions and leek
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • 5 bay leaves
  • Sauce
  • 1 ⅓ cup pomegranate molasses
  • 2 tablespoons double concentrate or organic tomato purée
  • 2 cups water
Instructions
  1. First, put half of your butter into a pot, then brown the beef joint, and round them on each side just to lock the moisture in. Do it for 2-3 minutes on each side.

  2. Melt your butter in an oven-friendly pan on medium heat at 180° for about 4 hours.

  3. Then, take the beef joint out, and put the rest of your butter with the meat juices that were already in there.

  4. Sauté your onion and leek with the butter till they become golden and translucent, after that, add your spices and all-purpose flour.

  5. Next, add your peeled carrot chunks and quartered potatoes, give it a nice mix then pop the joint to the center of it.

  6. After that, mix 2 vegetable organic bouillon cubes with hot water, and pour them into the pot.

  7. After that, take 2 full heads of garlic and place them in the pot, and drop one cinnamon stick in the pot as well. Put the lid on and put it in the oven to cook for an hour and a half.

  8. To make the sauce, use good quality pomegranate molasses and double concentrate or organic tomato purée, mix it together well in 2 cups of water and add that as well.

  9. Finally, put the lid on and cook it for another 2 hours on the same heat until your meat is fork-tender.

Note

Cut the top of the garlic head and leave the end so it could hold together.

To avoid the potatoes and carrots from becoming too soft, it's ideal to add them an hour or so later

You could make this recipe in a slow cooker, stovetop, oven, or in an instant pot.

Nelly
Content Creator

I'm Nelly, the recipes I share here are inspired by the people, cultures and places beloved to me. Peanutswirls represents my love for food, cooking and hosting. I hope to share with you a taste of the Middle East influnced by my upbringing in the West.

I can't wait to see what we cook together.