The beef shank is the leg portion of a steer or heifer. Since the legs of an animal are hard working, it's naturally tougher than other cuts but that is certainly not a good reason to pass on beef shank. When prepared properly, it is not only delicious, it's chock full of nutrients, especially the marrow, which we leave intact/included for all our orders. You should plan on cooking the shank at least 4 to 6 hours to produce desirable, tender and juicy results. But believe us, it is well worth it, especially when you're dealing with a 100% grass fed treat.