Osso buco is an Italian dish featuring veal shanks braised until tender and covered in a rich tomato sauce.
It is so flavorful that you don’t need to spend too much time or effort on side dishes to go with it.
But what to serve with osso buco? If you want to complement your Osso Buco with something extra special, try one of the following pairings.
1. Mashed Red Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic and beloved side dish and the perfect complement to the fall-apart tenderness of osso buco. It is a great option if you are looking for what to serve with osso buco.
They are also budget-friendly and surprisingly easy to make! Peel potatoes and chop them into quarters or half-inch pieces to get started.
Next, put them in a pot, cover them with cold water, and add a teaspoon of salt. Cook on high until boiling, then reduce heat so they cook slowly for twenty minutes, depending on how mashed you want them. Drain off excess water.
2. Braised Red Cabbage
Serve with a side of red cabbage. Braising the cabbage in fat from the osso buco gives it an additional layer of flavor and helps keep its vivid color.
Thinly slice the cabbage and place it in a pot, then add some salt, brown sugar, chopped ginger root, white pepper, and soy sauce.
Then, turn the heat up to high. As soon as you see some pink seeping out of the cut pieces into the liquid.
Also, turn off the heat and allow everything to cool before adding green onions or scallions (thinly sliced). Red cabbage is perfect for what to serve with osso buco.
3. Creamy Gorgonzola Polenta
We recommend pairing osso buco with creamy, rich gorgonzola polenta. Bring water and milk to a simmer in a medium pot over medium-high heat.
Slowly whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for 10 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency and thickness. Also, stir in butter and remove from heat.
Gradually add chopped gorgonzola cheese while constantly stirring (and sprinkling in salt to taste). Pour the mixture into an oven-safe bowl or casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it’s bubbling around the edges, about 15-20 minutes.
Wondering what to serve with osso buco? The creamy polenta with succulent chunks of osso buco makes your meal great.
4. Risotto Alla Milanese
This recipe will show you how to make risotto alla Milanese, the perfect match if you are looking for what to serve with osso buco. Start by cooking butter and onion in a medium-sized pan until they smell sweet.
Then, stir in a couple of spoonfuls of arborio rice. Add enough hot broth to cover it and season with salt. Simmer on low heat until most of the liquid is absorbed, then add some more hot broth and keep stirring.
The rule of thumb is that risotto should be cooked slowly, adding just enough liquid at a time so that each batch becomes creamy before all of the liquid has been absorbed. It takes time and patience, but it’s worth every minute!
5. Minty Green Peas
Osso buco is an Italian dish from Milan consisting of a roasted bone covered in vegetables. It is usually served in a sauce of tomatoes, white wine, and garlic.
The most common kind of osso buco served is veal shank, but lamb and pork shanks are also popular. It’s important not to overcook the meat, or it will get too dry.
Traditionally, osso buco is served as one large dish per person, which means you need only two servings for four people. What to serve with osso buco? Mint green peas!
6. Lemon Parmesan Orzo
Many people mistakenly assume the perfect side dish would be something light and flavorful, like rice or pasta. That’s not the case, though!
You see, osso buco is typically served alongside the main course, rich in flavors and textures. Pasta or rice might only clash with the main dish, detracting from its intended flavor profile.
The ideal accompaniment for osso buco is light but tangy side dish. Wondering what to serve with osso buco—think lemon parmesan orzo.
7. Crusty Bread Rolls
Crumbly bread rolls are perfect for what to serve with osso buco. Add an oniony garlic dipping sauce and carrot sticks for a complimentary side dish.
For dessert, grab some crumbly biscotti from the bakery down the street, ideally those that are dunked in dark chocolate. It’ll make all your taste buds happy!
Don’t forget to serve with a refreshing white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. You can even go wild and throw some strawberries for good measure; just be sure to rinse them off first since they’ve likely been sitting around for a few days at the grocery store waiting for you!
8. Arugula and Grapefruit Salad
We’ve got a twist on the classic Italian dish, osso buco – Arugula and grapefruit salad! A light and fresh combination of the two makes for a perfect pairing.
This salad comes together quickly and is simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet elegant enough for company or date night!
For this dish, we use an arugula in place of kale. Kale is one of the most popular leafy green vegetables out there these days, but it’s a little on the bitter side.
Although arugula has fewer vitamins than kale, it’s still packed with plenty of beneficial nutrients. And you’ll never taste bitterness again when you pair it with our citrus vinaigrette.
9. Sparkling Prosecco Cocktail
A sparkling prosecco cocktail will complete your special occasion. It can also be used as a toast or pre-dinner drink.
The prosecco cocktail is simply a mix of champagne and Prosecco, but it can be difficult to determine how much you’ll need.
Meanwhile, always remember that the quantity is subjective, so it’s up to you how strong you want the cocktail. If you want to serve with osso buco, you can’t go wrong with sparkling prosecco cocktails.
10. Mushroom Risotto
Your best bet for a creamy risotto is going to mushroom. For example, this mushroom risotto recipe is not only delicious but also foolproof.
There are a few ingredients, most of which can be found in your fridge. Making it perfect for throwing together after a long day or when you’re tight on time.
To make it!
- Melt the butter over medium heat. Once the onion has been cooked, add the rice and stir until golden brown.
- Also, add in broth and occasionally stir until the rice has absorbed all liquid, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cheese! This is what to serve with osso buco
11. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
What to serve with osso buco. We recommend serving osso buco with cilantro lime cauliflower rice. Cut cauliflower into chunks and lightly fry in olive oil to make the rice. Add chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice.
Then, mix in brown rice and continue cooking until the rice is completely done, about 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle a handful of Parmesan cheese on top before serving. Customizing this dish based on your tastes is easy, so add your favorite spices or other toppings!
12. Italian Gremolata
This sauce can be prepared a day in advance. Here is what to serve with osso buco, Gremolata:
Finely chop parsley, finely grated lemon zest, and finely chopped onion. Add the parsley, lemon zest, and onion to a small mixing bowl and minced garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Next, mix well and set aside. In another small mixing bowl, stir olive oil and the juice from one fresh lemon.
Spoon the olive oil mixture into the chicken broth that’s simmering on the stovetop or cookware stovetop in which you will cook your osso buco.
13. Potato Salad With Mustard Sauce
If you want to serve with osso buco, potato salad with mustard sauce is a perfect choice. For an excellent accompaniment, prepare a simple and rich potato salad. Dice potatoes and boil for 8-10 minutes until tender.
Drain water and mix mustard sauce. Add salt, pepper, chopped celery, chopped green onion (or chives), diced hard-boiled egg, olive oil, vinegar, and mayonnaise to taste.
Set aside while boiling or reheating the osso buco. Garnish with additional chopped parsley or chives if desired.
14. Garlic Butter Noodles
Osso buco is an Italian dish with a meatball of veal shank served in a rich, white, tomato-based sauce. This dish was traditionally served for the middle-class family lunch and is often paired with fettuccine alfredo.
However, nowadays, osso buco is also served in fancy restaurants and can be served with more decadent pasta like pappardelle or saffron risotto.
For an affordable version of the recipe, substitute canned tomatoes for fresh ones, as they add brightness and acidity that isn’t always found in jarred tomato products. You will also need olive oil, onion, garlic cloves, and carrots.
15. Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
A shaved brussel sprout salad is the perfect pairing for what to serve with osso buco. Because it compliments and contrasts the flavors of a classic Italian dish.
First, for easy preparation, you should use a mandolin or a food processor fitted with a shredding blade to shred and slice your vegetables. Then, roast the bone-in veal shanks in the oven as you’re frying your veggies in olive oil.
Next, put some water in a pot to cover all four corners of the bottom of the pan, then cover it and bring it to a simmer on the stovetop.
When this step is done, remove the meat from the oven and place it back into the pan of water before covering again. Then, bring the heat to medium-high until all liquid has evaporated.
