Marianne Martinez
Pork shanks are a tasty, affordable, and versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in a crock pot or slow cooker. This cut of meat comes from the front forearm or lower portion of a pig's leg, and it contains a mix of lean meat, connective tissue, and marrow-rich bone. When cooked slowly, the connective tissue breaks down, creating tender and flavorful meat. This makes pork shanks ideal for slow-cooking methods such as braising or roasting. Additionally, bone-in pork shanks add flavour and are more economical.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Pork |
| Cut | Shank |
| Cooking method | Slow cooker |
| Cooking time | 4 hours on high, followed by 30–60 minutes on low |
| Ingredients | Bone-in pork shanks, onion, carrot, garlic, lemon, mushrooms, oregano, thyme, basil, salt, lemon zest, tomatoes, stock, ghee, coconut oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, chilli coffee seasoning blend, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, polenta, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, rice, grits |
| Sauce | Gravy, braising liquid, roux |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning and browning the pork shank
Firstly, pat the pork shanks dry with a paper towel. This step is important as it helps the seasoning stick to the meat and promotes even browning. Next, season the pork shanks generously with salt and pepper or a dry rub. You can also get creative with your seasonings, using blends such as chilli coffee or a mix of coffee, chilli powder, brown sugar, paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes for a smoky flavour.
Once seasoned, heat a large skillet with a tablespoon of coconut oil, ghee, or vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork shanks to the skillet and sear for 2-8 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step not only adds colour and flavour to the meat but also helps render some of the fat. If your skillet is not large enough, you may need to brown the pork shanks in batches, adding more oil as needed.
After browning, remove the pork shanks from the skillet and set them aside. At this point, you can add aromatics like garlic, onions, and carrots to the skillet and cook until softened. Deglaze the pan with your liquid of choice, such as beer, wine, or stock, scraping up all the tasty browned bits from the bottom. This step adds depth of flavour to the overall dish.
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Preparing vegetables and sauce
To prepare the vegetables, start by heating some coconut oil or ghee in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and garlic to the pan and cook until softened, this usually takes about 5 minutes. You can also add mushrooms, celery, potatoes, and chopped garlic to the mix. Then, deglaze the pan by adding the juice of a lemon.
For the sauce, you can either use the cooking liquid or make a gravy-like sauce. To make the gravy-like sauce, melt some butter in a skillet, add flour, and cook for 3-5 minutes over low heat. Then, add this roux to the cooking liquid and stir until the liquid has thickened.
If you want to use the cooking liquid as a sauce, blend it with some of the vegetables and meat juices. This will create a smooth and flavorful sauce. You can also add spices to your sauce, such as chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, salt, cumin, and red pepper flakes.
Additionally, you can braise the pork shanks in a dark beer, red wine, or beef stock to add extra flavor to your dish.
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Cooking the pork shank
First, season the pork shanks generously with salt and pepper or a seasoning blend of your choice. You can also dredge the pork shanks in flour seasoned with sea salt and black pepper. Next, heat some oil or ghee in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork shanks until they are golden brown on all sides. This step is important as it helps to render some of the fat off the meat. Once seared, set the pork shanks aside.
In the same skillet, add your choice of aromatics such as garlic, onions, carrots, and celery. Cook these until they are softened. You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms and potatoes at this stage. Then, deglaze the pan by adding a liquid such as lemon juice, beer, wine, or stock. Scrape up all the tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Now, transfer the vegetables and liquid to your crock pot. Nestle the pork shanks on top, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid. You can add additional seasonings like bay leaves, dried herbs, or spices to the crock pot at this point. Put the lid on and cook on high for about 4 hours.
After 4 hours, remove the pork shanks from the crock pot and set them aside, keeping them warm. Transfer the cooking liquid and about half of the vegetables to a blender and puree until smooth. This step emulsifies the fats, removing any greasiness, and creates a delicious sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Finally, return the pork shanks to the crock pot and pour the pureed sauce over them. Stir everything together and cook on low for an additional 30 to 60 minutes. This will ensure the pork shanks are perfectly tender and allow the flavours to meld.
Your crock pot pork shanks are now ready to be served! They should be fall-off-the-bone tender and full of flavour. Enjoy them with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes, polenta, or a fluffy mashed vegetable.
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Making the gravy
Once the pork shanks are cooked, remove them from the slow cooker and set them aside, covered, to keep them warm. Next, make the gravy. Remove all of the cooking liquid and about half of the vegetables from the slow cooker and add them to a blender. If you want to emulsify the fats and create a smooth sauce, add some meat juices to the blender as well. Add the juice of a lemon and puree until smooth. Check the seasoning and add salt if needed.
If you want a more gravy-like sauce, you can make a roux. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a skillet, add 1/3 cup of flour, and cook for 3-5 minutes over low heat. Then, add the roux to the braising liquid and stir until the liquid has thickened.
If you want to reduce the amount of fat in the gravy, try searing the meat before cooking it in the slow cooker. You can also avoid adding any butter or oil to the slow cooker.
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Serving suggestions
Slow-cooked pork shank is a delicious meal, and there are several ways to serve it.
One option is to make a sauce to go with the pork. You can do this by blending the cooking liquid with vegetables to emulsify the fats and create a smooth sauce. You can also add butter and flour to the juices to make a gravy.
When it comes to sides, mashed potatoes are a great option, as are scalloped potatoes, polenta, and grits. If you want something lighter, you can serve the pork with mashed cauliflower. For a more substantial meal, pork shank can be served with a potato casserole or over a fluffy mashed vegetable.
Don't forget to add some vegetables to your plate! Brussels sprouts, carrots, and onions are all great choices. If you want to go the extra mile, you can serve the pork with a side of cheddar grits or parmesan polenta.
Finally, don't forget to pair your meal with a drink! A dark beer or light red wine, such as an Oregon pinot noir, would go well with the pork shank.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking pork shank in a crock pot can take anywhere from 4 hours on high to 8-10 hours on low.
Common ingredients include bone-in pork shanks, onions, carrots, garlic, lemon juice, mushrooms, oregano, thyme, basil, salt, chicken or pork stock, and chopped tomatoes.
First, season and brown the pork shanks in a skillet. Next, soften onions, carrots, and garlic in the skillet. Add the vegetables to the crock pot, then nestle the pork shanks on top. Deglaze the skillet with lemon juice and add the pan drippings to the crock pot. Finally, add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot and cook for 4 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low.
