Braised Lamb Shanks
Ingredients
- 4 lamb shanks
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic
minced
- 1 cup finely diced carrot
- 1 cup finely diced celery
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit (175º Celsius)
- 2
Season the lamb shanks on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan on medium high heat and sear the shanks on all sides (approx 8 minutes). Once seared, set aside on a plate.
- 3
Add the garlic, onion, celery and carrot to the pan and saute for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- 4
Add the balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper to the pan and give everything a stir. Bring to a gentle simmer. Once simmering return the lamb shanks to the pan and spoon some of the sauce overtop. Cover with a lid and cook in the oven for an 1 1/2 hours.
- 5
After 1 1/2 hours of cooking, flip the shanks over and return to the oven to cook for 1 more hour, but with the lid off (this will brown the shanks and help the sauce to thicken).
- 6
After a total of 2 1/2 hours in the oven, the lamb shanks should be fall apart tender. Serve them with veggies or mash and lots of the sauce poured overtop.
- 7
Follow steps 2 and 3 above in a pot on the stove and then transfer the sauteed garlic and vegetable mixture to the slow cooker. Alternatively if your slow cooker has a saute function you can do steps 2 and 3 in the slow cooker.
Braised Lamb Shanks
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Imagine succulent lamb shanks, so tender they melt off the bone, all smothered in a deeply flavorful, rich sauce. This Braised Lamb Shanks recipe brings that restaurant-quality experience right into your home, easier than you think, transforming humble ingredients into an impressive meal.
The magic of this dish lies in the patient, slow cooking method. You'll achieve that coveted fall-apart tenderness in the lamb shanks, while the aromatic vegetables and robust beef stock meld into an incredibly complex and satisfying sauce. It's a culinary journey that rewards you with profound depth of flavor and comforting richness.
Prepare for a feast for the senses. Each bite offers incredibly tender lamb, rich with savory depth, perfectly complemented by a velvety, robust sauce. The aromatic blend of onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, along with a touch of balsamic vinegar and concentrated tomato paste, creates a truly unforgettable flavor profile. While this dish requires time for slow cooking, the active preparation is straightforward, making this impressive meal an achievable triumph for any home cook.
This recipe is quite versatile. While the combination of carrot, celery, and onion forms a classic aromatic base, you can slightly adjust the ratio of these vegetables to your liking. The amount of dried thyme, salt, and pepper can also be tailored to suit your personal taste, allowing you to fine-tune the seasonings.
These impressive Braised Lamb Shanks are perfect for a cozy Sunday dinner, a special occasion, or simply when you're craving comforting, deeply flavorful food. They pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, soft polenta, or even a simple side of roasted vegetables to soak up that incredible sauce.