Tasty Ever After: Quick and Easy Whole Food Recipes

A food blog with hundreds of tried and true recipes from comfort food main meals to tasty desserts. Inspiring you to cook with whole foods and minimally processed ingredients.

  • Recipe Index
  • Most Popular Recipes
  • Contact
  • Food Videos
  • Press
  • About
  • Cool Stuff
  • Subscribe for recipes!

Easy Braised Lamb Shanks

03/26/2017 Updated: 08/19/2019 By Karrie 8 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
  • Yummly
  • Mix
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Braised Lamb Shanks are some serious comfort food!   Made with grass-fed local farm lamb and slow cooked until tender in a red wine sauce flavored with tomato, onions, garlic, and fresh rosemary.  Serve over mashed potatoes or polenta for the ultimate tasty food dish.

Braised Lamb Shanks on polenta in a white bowl

Braised Lamb Shanks = Major Comfort Food Recipe

Every year we buy an organic, grass fed lamb from our favorite local farm and every year I make this same classic dish with the shanks.  Braised lamb shanks have become my favorite comfort food go-to dish, especially when the cold weather calls for a hearty dish.

Close up of Braised Lamb Shank in a bowl

A more affordable way to buy organic meat

Many people might think that buying grass fed meats from local farms is too expensive, but the truth is that it can be quite affordable.  One way to save money while supporting your local farmer is to become part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program.  Think of it as a subscription service for the freshest, in-season food for vegetables, meat, fish, bread, dairy, etc.  I search for local farms near me on EatWild.

Another way to make this way of eating more affordable is to buy less expensive cuts.  This recipe utilizes lamb shanks, which are a super flavorful, yet inexpensive cut of meat.

Since it’s a super tough piece of meat, it does take some time slow cooking and oven braising for the shanks to really shine, but in about 2-3 hours, you’ll have some of the most tender and flavorful lamb ever.  Plus, the sauce is amazing and you’ll want to pour it all over everything!

Close up of a Braised Lamb Shank on polenta

The base of this recipe is the same one I use for my Braised Beef Short Ribs,  with a few changes and additions.  I’m a firm believer in the “if it ain’t broke” theory.  Also, if you’re not a lamb lover, then the beef short ribs recipe might be just for you.

Easy Braised Lamb Shanks on a wood board with bowl of kale

One of the BEST winter recipes around!

Since the weather here is still crappy (aka winter) and I’m all about comfort food right now.  I’ve been oven roasting, braising, Instant Potting, and Crock-potting everything…but no grilling.

Honestly, I cried the other night because it was -1F degrees outside and there was snow all over the ground.  I couldn’t grill the chicken and pork I had marinating in homemade jerk paste for the past 2 days without literally freezing to death.  p.s. that might be a slight exaggeration)

The next time it was cold and windy, didn’t even mess around with the grill.  Instead, I made these shanks and served them with creamy polenta (made with a ton of grass-fed butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese mixed in) and oven roasted kale.  Added a glass of red wine and it was perfection on that chilly winter  spring night.

Serve the lamb shanks with these sides:

  • Slow Cooker Colcannon
  • Fresh Ginger & Shallot Green Beans
  • Easy 7 Layer Salad
  • Sweet Potato Rolls
  • Garlic Cheddar Cheese Angel Biscuits
Overhead shot of a braised Lamb Shank in a white bowl on a wooden table

Think of these braised lamb shanks next time you need to make a comfort food recipe on a chilly day.  They also make a perfect Easter dinner!

Braised Lamb Shanks

Braised Lamb Shanks are some serious comfort food! Made with grass-fed local farm lamb and slow cooked until tender in a red wine sauce flavored with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and fresh rosemary. Serve over mashed potatoes or polenta for the ultimate tasty food dish.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 421kcal
Author: Karrie | Tasty Ever After

Ingredients

  • 4 small lamb shanks , about 3/4-1 pound each; preferably local farm raised & grass-fed, at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion , about 1 medium
  • 1 cup diced carrot , about 1 large
  • 4 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1/2 cup good quality red wine
  • 2 cups good quality beef stock , homemade or store bought
  • 1 cups good quality chicken stock , homemade or store bought
  • 3 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary , chopped (can substitute 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)

optional: fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley , chopped

    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Take the lamb shanks out of refrigerator and let come to room temperature before cooking (about 1/2-1 hour).
    • Preheat oven to 325F/163C degrees.
    • Heat a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add tablespoon of olive oil and sear the shanks on all sides until brown, adding additional olive oil as needed. Remove from pan and set aside.
    • Reduce heat to medium and add onion, carrot, and garlic to the pan.  Sauté until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until reduced by half. Add beef and chicken stocks, tomato paste, and rosemary and stir well.  Increase heat again to medium-high and bring sauce to a boil. Return lamb shanks to the pan, cover, and place in the preheated oven.
    • Braise the shanks for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until lamb is fork tender.
    • Place the cooked shanks on a serving dish. Skim excess fat off top of cooking liquid and reduce over high heat to thicken into a sauce, if necessary. Place one lamb shank on a plate, spoon sauce over it, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

    Recipe Notes & Tips:

    Leftovers are even better the next day so make a double batch!
    Nutrition Facts
    Braised Lamb Shanks
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 421 Calories from Fat 153
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 17g26%
    Saturated Fat 3g15%
    Cholesterol 129mg43%
    Sodium 589mg25%
    Potassium 1054mg30%
    Carbohydrates 14g5%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 44g88%
    Vitamin A 5545IU111%
    Vitamin C 8.4mg10%
    Calcium 56mg6%
    Iron 4.5mg25%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Show me on IG!!Mention @tastyeverafter or tag #tastyeverafter
    Easy Braised Lamb Shanks Pinterest PIN

    Filed Under: All Recipes On Tasty Ever After, Comfort Food Meals, Entrees, Most Popular Recipes, Paleo {grain & gluten free} Tagged With: braised lamb shanks recipe, comfort food recipe, Easter dinner, make ahead, slow cooked, winter recipe

    « Gingered Limoncello Champagne Cocktail Recipe
    WTF?! A Crunchy Buffalo Pig Ear Recipe »

    Comments

    1. Ivette says

      04/15/2019 at 2:15 pm

      Hi! I plan on making these lamb shanks for Easter, but wanted to add fresh thyme and bay leaves (because I love those flavors). Have you tried the recipe with these herbs? I just want to make sure they don’t clash! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Karrie says

        04/15/2019 at 8:35 pm

        Hi Ivette! I’ve used fresh thyme in this before instead of the rosemary, but not bay leaves. It should be fine if you use both thyme and bay leaves in this, especially if you really love those flavors. Bay leaves can be a little strong, so maybe try a small leaf the first time. Happy cooking and please let me know how the recipe turns out for you!

        Reply
    2. Lisa Ramsay says

      02/14/2019 at 8:24 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing! I was generous with the veggies and added salt and pepper to the shanks as I browned them since my broth was salt free. Did not need to reduce liquid for a gravy. I used mashed cauliflower instead of polenta to save on carbs. Husband, a food service director, was blown away! Very , very easy. Will make this a definite go to recipe.

      Reply
      • Karrie says

        02/16/2019 at 11:39 am

        Thank you Lisa and you and your Hubby have made my day!!! So happy you both liked the recipe and appreciate you taking the time to review it.

        Reply
    3. William says

      01/27/2019 at 4:03 pm

      5 stars
      We like Lamb in any way, though my wife prefers the Shank.!!
      A question on the recipe, I see no salt or pepper on it!! Any reason why?

      Thanks for the Pics..

      Reply
      • Karrie says

        01/27/2019 at 10:03 pm

        Thanks William and the rich flavor of slow braised shanks are the BEST! There’s enough seasoning with the broths, so I find no additional salt and pepper is needed. If you try the recipe, please let me know how you and your wife like it!

        Reply
    4. Katie Crenshaw says

      04/13/2017 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      Can I just tell you that I am drooling over these?!? WOW!!! This whole recipe looks amazing. I am going to make this for my husband and surprise him. YUMMMMMMM!!!

      Reply
    5. Mary says

      03/27/2017 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love lamb shanks. How could I not? When made correctly they fall off the bone, and the meat is tender, flavorful and delicate at the same time. I’ve never tried to make lamb shanks at home. This recipe looks easy enough for me to pull off. Thanks for sharing!
      xoxo
      Mary | Evolve with Mary

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Let’s Connect!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Search By Recipe:

    Search By Category:

    Most Popular Recipes

    Beer Advent Calendar
    Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes
    Easy Fish Tacos
    A bowl of vegan butternut squash soup with roasted pumpkin seeds
    Slow Cooker Colcannon
    Asparagus quiche with a sweet potato crust cooling on a rack
    Easy Falafel on pita with yogurt sauce, tomatoes, and cucumbers
    Artichoke dip recipe in a bowl with chips around it

    More Recipes from this Category

    Let’s Connect!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Tasty Ever After is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking from tastyeverafter.com to Amazon.com.

    COPYRIGHT © 2019 Tasty Ever After
 · Privacy Policy & Terms of Use