How to Cook Beef Shanks in the Instant Pot

Cooking beef shanks in the instant pot is easy and one of my favorite ways to make shanks. Beef shanks are tender, healthy, and delicious when served over mashed potatoes and gravy.

What are Beef Shanks?

Beef shanks are flavorful, lean, and very tender when cooked properly. The shank is located just above the knee of the cow so it is a muscle used frequently. The shanks have a bone in the center of the meat that is filled with healthy marrow. When the shanks are cooked tenderly the meat will fall away from the marrow bone. The marrow bones make nutrient dense bone broth! 

How to cook beef shanks in the Instant Pot

Cooking beef shanks in the Instant Pot is so easy and takes less than an hour with very little hands on work. 

Ingredients

2 beef shanks 

salt and pepper to taste 

1 tbsp Italian seasoning 

1 small onion, chopped 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1 cup beef broth 

1/4 cup dry red wine

Step One

Start by seasoning the shanks on both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Then with the instant pot on the sauté feature, brown the shanks on both sides.

Step Two

Next, set the shanks aside on a glass plate and add in onions and garlic.

After the onions and garlic have cooked a bit add in broth and red wine. Use the broth and red wine to scrap any excess droppings off the bottom of the instant pot before adding the shanks back in.

Step Three

Lock the lid and turn the pressure valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for forty minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for ten minutes.

When the shanks are done pressure cooking. place them on a plate and pull the tender meat away from the bone before serving.

What to serve with Beef Shanks made in the Instant Pot?

Beef shanks are best when served over mashed potatoes and gravy that was yielded from the drippings in the instant pot. 

To make the gravy with your drippings from the instant pot:

Just strain the drippings and add them back into a skillet on medium heat. Add in a bit of flour and whisk as the gravy thickens up.

Serve the shank meat overtop the potatoes covered in the gravy.