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Pork Shank Roasts Products
The Instacart guide to pork shank roasts
About pork shank roasts
Pork shank roasts come from the upper part of the front legs. While pork hocks come from the lower portion of the leg and are composed of tendons and ligaments, shanks are meatier and more versatile.
Because shanks are bone-in cuts of pork, they include a fair amount of collagen. That means no matter how you prepare them, pork shank roasts have a ton of rich flavor.
It doesn't have to be difficult to get everything you need to make dinner. Just add pork shank roasts and all the fixings to your shopping cart as you shop your favorite grocery stores online. When you order via Instacart, you can pick up your order within 2 hours, or you can save time and hassle with same-day delivery!
Pork shank roast cooking tips
Unlike fattier cuts like pork belly or juicier cuts like pork rib steaks, pork shank roasts can be on the tough side. That's why it's so important to prepare yours properly and give the roast plenty of time to cook and become more tender. The most common ways to cook a pork shank include:
- Braising: Braising allows this cut to cook in liquid and absorb tons of flavor. Before braising, most recipes call for you to season the shanks and sear them over medium-high heat until browned. Then, you can braise them in a mixture of wine, stock, and herbs for a few hours. To serve, you can reduce the remaining liquid to create a delicious sauce.
- Roasting: If you have time for a more complicated preparation, roasting is another great way to prepare pork shanks. Most recipes call for you to sear and braise the pork before roasting the pork and sealing in all the juices.
Either way, it's important to make sure your pork shank roast reaches a safe temperature before serving. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) specifies that pork should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. When braising or roasting, it isn't always easy to gauge the temperature of a cut of pork. Rather than guessing, you can use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature.
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FAQs about pork shank roasts
Since pork shanks and hocks both come from the pig's leg, it's easy to get these cuts confused. However, they're quite different in terms of location, makeup, and usage:
- A pork shank refers to the front legs, and it typically has a good balance of meat to bone. It's usually on the lean side with minimal fat, and the collagen from the bone adds to the overall flavor of any dish.
- A pork hock refers to the section on the lower part of each leg. It tends to be equal parts bone, collagen, connective tissue, fat, and meat. Pork hocks are much more common as flavoring agents than as stand-alone dishes. Many people prefer ham hocks, which are cured, or smoked pork hocks to add even more flavor.
Pork shank and pork shoulder cuts come from adjacent areas. Like pork hocks, however, pork shoulders and pork shanks have several key differences.
Pork shoulders come from the area just above the front legs, or the shank. Because this is one of the most muscular areas of a pig, the shoulder tends to be much meatier with less marbling. It can be more challenging to cook than a fattier cut like a pork rib-eye steak. In many cases, that means shoulders are some of the most inexpensive cuts of pork.
Some of the most popular methods for preparing shoulders are the same as those for pork shank roasts. For example, both are great when braised. However, pork shoulder can also be turned into ground pork, which means you can also fry, bake, or grill it.
Yes, you can keep pork shanks in the freezer for between four and 12 months. If you find a great sale price on pork shank, you might consider stocking up and freezing what you won't use right away.
When you're ready to prepare your pork shank roast, give yourself plenty of time to defrost it. Most pork cuts need a day to defrost in the refrigerator. Once it thaws out, it's essential to cook your pork shank roast within three to five days.
If you have leftovers after your meal, you can re-refrigerate pork shanks after cooking them. The USDA recommends enjoying pork leftovers within three to four days of cooking. When refrigerating your leftover pork shanks, be sure to store them in an airtight container or wrap them with a food-safe material.