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Only few short weeks separate us from soups and stews season. So, save this durum and shanks soup recipe to keep yourself warm during winter.
The perfect meal doesn’t exist.. Wait a second. It absolutely does! This recipe is surely the best combo you can possibly prepare for your family as it’s rich in nutrients and boasts many benefits.
Now, imagine it with me: it’s raining outside, while you’re sitting in your cozy dining room sharing a big pot of durum and shanks soup with your loved ones. How cozy!
Beef Shanks Cooked Until Tender with Durum Soup
What Is Durum Wheat?
You’re asking yourself: “What is durum wheat”. The short answer is “it’s a well-known grain in the Middle East that has been used for a long time.
A lot of questions are probably running inside your mind right now. You’re probably wondering, What’s the difference between durum wheat and quinoa? Which one is better? Healthier? Tastier?
Let’s cut the chase and avoid repetitiveness, I encourage you to read my Freekeh with Beef Shanks recipe for more information about durum.
Why Invest in an Instant Pot
Instant pots are the trendiest kitchen appliances nowadays. They offer various settings that will surely help you with your daily cooking.
No more long cooking hours to prepare beef shanks! You can choose the settings you need: slow cooking, pressure cooking, sauté setting, etc…
The best thing about it? It’s so easy to clean and perfectly safe to use thanks to its sealing position.
What are you waiting for? Invest in an electric pressure cooker today, your new sous-chef!
Nothing Screams Winter Days More Than a Bowl of Soup
Instant Pot Durum Wheat Soup with Beef Shanks Benefits
This recipe is rich in flavorful ingredients as well as health benefits. So, if you are one of those people who pays attention to what they consume, then I can assure you that you will fall in love with this durum and shanks soup.
Not only is it a healthy combination of delicious components, but also a fulfilling one. You won’t feel hungry for quite a while.
Cloves
Let’s start with the cloves, the smallest ingredient. Small in size but great in value, cloves are originally the flower buds of the clove tree.
They are a great source of vitamin K and Manganese (an essential mineral for brain function and the immune system). In addition, cloves contain high levels of antioxidants which are crucial for your overall health.
Furthermore, these tiny cloves are known for their antibacterial properties, a natural defendant!
Durum
Durum wheat (also known as freek) is a cereal grain just like quinoa. It’s both tasty and nutritious. It’s the harder version of what we call whole wheat.
This ancient grain is packed with proteins, fibers, Manganese, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, copper, and so many others.
Turmeric
Speaking of spices, turmeric has secured its place as one of the most important spices for the human body. In a nutshell, it may improve heart health and help fight against cancer and Alzheimer’s.
It is also known as an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. So, try to include it in your diet more often.
Durum and Shanks Soup Combo
Beef and durum go well with each other. As a matter of fact, beef is the star in this hot pot recipe, alongside durum wheat.
It’s a great source to meet your daily protein intake, not to forget that red meat is said to improve your blood quality too. In other terms, meat is packed with iron which responsible for boosting hemoglobin levels.
Can’t Get Any Warmer Than Durum and Tender Soup!
Tips for Best Durum and Shanks Soup
This traditional beef stew is so flexible and versatile that you will end up with a totally new dish every time you add a new ingredient!
Let’s Talk Meat Cuts
I’m using beef shanks in this recipe, boneless beef shanks to avoid extra hard work. However, don’t feel limited to this option as you have a long list to choose from.
Whether you’re planning on going to the butchery first thing in the morning or taking out a frozen piece of meat, it’s no doubt that you’ll end up with a savory durum and shanks soup.
Not a beef shank fan? Well, there are always lamb shanks, veal shanks, beef chuck roast, and even ground meat to prepare.
Pro tip: adding fresh herbs to the meat is the best way to enhance flavors.
Tender Beef Shanks that Instantly Melt in Your Mouth
Let’s Talk Broth
By definition, broth is basically water in which we have simmered either meat or vegetables.
In other words, you can use all types of broth in your recipes varying from beef broth to bone broth. All of which, I can assure you, are rich in flavor.
If you prepare a bone broth for your dish, don’t throw the beef bones on the spot. You’ll find inside the bones a substance called bone marrow, and it’s totally edible. A major nutritional plus!
You know what else you could add to your broth? Tomato paste. It will thicken the texture and add a tangy taste. You’ll end up with a tomato soup with beef.
Durum and Shanks Soup Soaked in a Thick Broth
Let’s Talk Spices
We all have a bunch of different spices that we’ve impulsively bought at some point and they’re still sitting there in our pantry, am I right? Today is your lucky day because you can finally use them.
Feel free to sprinkle a pinch of black pepper, red pepper flakes for a spicy instant pot beef shanks broth. You can also add a couple of stars anise. They work well with cloves.
Always be generous when it comes to seasoning. It’s a game changer, believe me!
Never Underestimate the Power of Onions in Enhancing Your Plate’s Taste
Frequently Asked Questions
Durum is a type of wheat, so if you or any family member have gluten intolerance, I suggest you substitute it with rice noodles. Your final dish will be similar to the Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Remember to add some soy sauce too!
When dealing with frozen meat, it is advised to skip the browning step and add the ingredients later on. Also, expect the length of time to be a bit longer for the whole cooking process.
Scientifically speaking, bouillon cubes are the dehydrated version of a broth. There’s absolutely no problem to use what’s more convenient for you.
Absolutely, if you don’t have an instant pot in your kitchen, a stock pot will do the job.
What You Will Need to Make This Soup
Create your comfort food dish for the winter, from scratch, with fresh healthy ingredients. If it’s your first time preparing an instant pot beef shanks soup, I’m here to guide you through every step of the way.
Ingredients for Durum and Shanks Soup
- Beef shanks
- Large onions
- Cloves (whole)
- Water
- Durum wheat
- Bouillon cubes
- Seven spices, or all spices
- Turmeric
- Salt
Steps to Prep Durum and Shanks Soup
First, place beef shanks (frozen or thawed) in the instant pot.
Then, fill the instant pot with water to fill 3/4 of the instant pot (about 8 quarts).
Add cloves before setting the instant pot on high pressure for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, take 1 large onion and dice it into small cubes then sauté with a little bit of olive oil until golden.
Sauté: The magic of Transforming Yellow Onions into Golden
Once the beef shanks are cooked, open the instant pot, remove the cooked beef shanks and place them on a plate.
After that, gently piece them into small chunks with a spoon.
Now strain the broth for a clean and clear broth then place it back into the instant pot.
Don’t forget to remove the cloves too.
Refining and Straining the Broth for an Impeccable Texture
Place the pieced beef shanks into the instant pot followed by sautéed onions, quarter of the other raw onion, durum wheat, seven spices, turmeric, bouillon cubes, and a pinch of salt.
Set the instant pot for 1 hour.
After an hour, the soup should ready and should have a thicker broth consistency.
Other Instant Pot Recipes
- Beef Shank Layered Fatteh
- Baked Stuffed Eggplant
- Green Bean Stew with Minced Beef (Loubia Bi Lahme)
- Ground Meat Rice and Chicken (Roz w Jeij)
- Vegetarian Bulgar and Tomato Pilaf (Burghul w Banadoura)
- Mansaf (Lebanese Rice with Meat)
- Miso Ramen Tofu Soup
- Mediterranean Lentil Soup
- Meat and Rice Stuffed Squash (Kussa)
- Vegetarian Grape Leaves (Instant Pot)
Hearty Instant Pot Durum Wheat Soup with Beef Shanks
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- Strainer
- wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef shanks
- 2 large onions
- 3 whole cloves
- 8 quarts water
- 3 cups durum wheat
- 2 bouillon cubes
- ½ teaspoon seven spices or all spices
- 1 tablespoon tumeric
- salt
Instructions
- Place beef shanks (frozen or thawed) in the instant pot. Fill the instant pot with water to fill 3/4 of the instant pot (about 8 quarts).
- Add cloves then set the instant pot on high for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile take 1 large onion and dice it into small cubes them sauté with a little bit of olive oil until golden.
- Once the beef shanks are cooked, open the instant pot, remove the cooked beef shanks and place on a place, gently piece into small chunks with a spoon.
- Strain the broth so that you have a clean and clear broth then place it back into the instant pot; and don't forget to remove the cloves.
- Place the pieced beef shanks into the instant pot followed by sautéed onions, quarter the other raw onion, durum wheat seven spices, turmeric, bouillon cubes and a pinch of salt.
- Set the instant pot for 1 hour. After an hour, the soup should be ready and should have a thicker broth consistency.
