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Tender Pork Shank Honey Beer

Featured in Beef recipes for any day.

This pork shank recipe with honey and beer is an irresistible classic. The two-step slow cooking method ensures you get tender meat falling right off the bone. Dark beer adds a malty, caramel-like depth, balanced beautifully by sweet honey that glazes the meat. Herbs like bay leaves, juniper berries, and cloves create a mix of complex, rich flavors. Carrots, added toward the end, soak up the reduced sauce while adding a fresh, vibrant twist to the dish. A generous centerpiece for any meal that doesn’t require much fuss, just time and love.
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Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Thu, 06 Mar 2025 01:03:33 GMT
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Pork Shank with Honey and Beer | Tastyhush.com

Beer and Honey Braised Pork Shank is a hearty comfort dish that perfectly combines tender pork with dark beer's malty notes and honey's natural sweetness. This Alsatian-inspired recipe transforms a rustic cut of meat into an elegant, flavorful main course.

The long, slow cooking process allows the meat to become incredibly tender while developing deep, rich flavors. The sauce reduces to a perfect glaze that coats each bite.

Essential Ingredients

  • Pork shanks: choose well-marbled cuts with thin skin
  • Dark beer: use abbey ale or German Dunkel
  • Honey: select a robust variety like chestnut
  • Aromatics: thyme, bay leaves, and cloves
  • Carrots: for sweetness and color
  • Juniper berries: adds subtle pine notes

Detailed Instructions

1. Preparation
- Bring shanks to room temperature
- Prep aromatics and vegetables
- Verify oven temperature
- Select appropriately sized Dutch oven
2. Searing
- Heat Dutch oven thoroughly
- Brown shanks on all sides
- Minimize movement during browning
- Achieve proper caramelization

[Continuing Beer and Honey Braised Pork...]

3. Beer Braising
- Pour beer carefully to deglaze
- Distribute aromatics around meat
- Keep liquid at proper level
- Maintain steady temperature
4. Glazing Technique
- Reduce sauce slowly
- Add honey gradually
- Baste frequently
- Watch glaze color carefully

Belgian abbey beer forms the foundation of this dish, contributing deep malt and caramel notes that complement the honey perfectly. This combination creates an exceptionally flavorful sauce.

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Tender honey and beer glazed pork shank | Tastyhush.com

Perfecting the Sauce

Sauce reduction requires careful attention. The ideal consistency should coat the meat without becoming too thick, maintaining a glossy appearance. Final honey addition provides the perfect finishing touch.

Seasonal Adaptations

Add button mushrooms in fall, spring vegetables in spring, or serve over sauerkraut in winter for seasonal variations.

This dish has become a reliable centerpiece for family gatherings. While time-intensive, the end result consistently impresses with its tender meat and glossy sauce, making it well worth the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of beer works best here?
A dark beer, like an abbey-style or trappist beer, works wonders due to its malty flavor.
→ Can this be made ahead?
Absolutely, you can slow-cook the meat a day in advance, then glaze it with honey on the serving day.
→ How do I know the shank is ready?
You'll know it's perfectly cooked when the meat easily pulls away from the bone using a fork.
→ What side dishes pair well with this?
Mashed potatoes or steamed baby potatoes pair nicely to soak up the sauce.
→ Is there a substitute for honey?
You can switch it with maple syrup or brown sugar, although the flavor profile will change slightly.

Pork Shank Honey Beer

A melt-in-your-mouth pork shank slowly cooked in dark beer and honey. Served with caramelized carrots.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
210 Minutes
Total Time
240 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Meat

01 2 pork hocks

→ Veggies and Herbs

02 4 carrots
03 2 garlic cloves
04 1 shallot
05 2 cloves
06 1 sprig of thyme
07 2 juniper berries
08 1 bay leaf
09 1 tablespoon minced parsley

→ Liquids and Seasonings

10 1 liter dark beer
11 100g honey
12 Olive oil
13 Pepper
14 Salt

Instructions

Step 01

Brown the pork hocks in olive oil on all sides in a cast iron pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then pour in the beer.

Step 02

Toss in the peeled and halved garlic cloves, quartered shallot, thyme, bay leaf, juniper berries, and cloves.

Step 03

Add enough water to cover everything. Bring it to a boil, close the pot, and cook in an oven preheated to 150°C for about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Step 04

Take out the pork hocks and strain the liquid. Let it boil until it’s reduced by two-thirds. Stir in the honey.

Step 05

Pour the sauce over the pork hocks and bake at 200°C for 1 hour. Turn the meat a few times and baste it with the sauce as it cooks.

Step 06

Steam the carrots and mix them into the dish about 5 minutes before it’s done. Serve with a sprinkle of minced parsley on top.

Notes

  1. A fresh take on a classic dish using beer
  2. The two-step cooking process makes the meat super soft

Tools You'll Need

  • Cast iron pot
  • Baking dish
  • Steamer

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 520
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 42 g