How to Cook Shanks: Transform Tough Cuts into Tender Meals

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How to Cook Shanks: Unlocking the Potential of Tough Cuts

Shanks are one of the toughest cuts on any animal, but with the right preparation, they become a tender, flavorful addition to your wild game repertoire. I’m Chef Albert Wutsch, and I’m here to share how to cook shanks so they fall off the bone, packed with flavor and perfect for a variety of dishes. Whether you're making corned elk shanks, pulled venison, or hearty hash, mastering this process will elevate your field-to-table experience.

Why Shanks Are Worth the Effort

Shanks are rich in connective tissue, which gives them a dense, tough texture. However, this same tissue breaks down into collagen during slow cooking, transforming into a rich, gelatinous broth and ultra-tender meat. This cut offers unparalleled flavor, making it well worth the time and care required.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Shanks

1. Brine the Shanks

Start by brining the shanks overnight to infuse them with flavor and help retain moisture.

• Brine Ingredients: Use water, salt, and pickling spices for a corned meat effect.
• Optional Step: Inject the brine directly into the shank for even seasoning.

2. Wash and Prep

Rinse the shanks thoroughly to remove excess brine. This step is essential if you plan to smoke or braise them to avoid overly salty meat.

3. Slow Cook

Place the shanks in a stockpot with your choice of broth, onions, herbs, and spices.

• Pro Tip: Add bay leaves, parsley stems, and aromatic vegetables to enhance the flavor.
• Cooking Time: Simmer gently for several hours until the meat becomes fork-tender.

4. Pull and Serve

Once cooked, pull the meat from the connective tissue. The result is perfectly tender shank meat that can be used in various dishes.

Recipe Inspiration

Corned Elk Shank Hash

• Combine pulled shank meat with potatoes, onions, and broth.
• Top with poached eggs and a drizzle of sriracha cream for a hearty breakfast or appetizer.

Pulled Shank BBQ

• Skip the pickling spices, and slow-cook shanks with your favorite BBQ seasoning.
• Shred the meat for sandwiches or serve as-is with sides.

Shank Soup

• Use the collagen-rich broth to create a warming soup. Add vegetables and shredded shank meat for a satisfying meal.

Join Us for a Field-to-Table Event

Ready to elevate your wild game cooking skills? Join us for one of our hands-on field-to-table events, where we explore the art of butchery, cooking, and preparing dishes like these. Learn directly from the pros and connect with other wild game enthusiasts.

Visit From Field to Table for details and to reserve your spot.

Transform tough cuts into tender masterpieces. Shanks might be overlooked by some, but with the right technique, they’ll become a star on your plate. Let’s cook!

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