Description
Mediterranean-spiced braised lamb shanks, cooked in a red wine and tomato sauce with vegetables, aromatics, and fresh herbs! Perfect for Easter or your next special dinner.
Scale
Ingredients
For Spice Mix
- 2 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sweet Spanish paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
For Lamb
- 6 American Lamb Shanks
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (I used Private Reserve EVOO)
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces
- 1 lb baby potatoes, scrubbed
- 2 cups red wine like Merlot
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 28-oz can peeled tomatoes
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 springs fresh thyme
- 2 springs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, add all the spice mix ingredients and mix to combine.
- Pat the lamb shanks dry and season with the spice mix on all sides.
- In a large Dutch oven pot like this one, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the lamb shanks on all sides (about 8 mins or so). Transfer the lamb shanks to a large tray or bowl for now. Carefully dispose of extra fat in a separate heat-safe bowl, and return the pot to heat.
- Now add the onions, celery, carrots and potatoes. Saute for 5-7 minutes on medium-high, or until the vegetables gain some color. Add red wine, scrape the pot of brown bits. Cook briefly so that the wine reduces a bit.
- Add the broth, tomatoes, cinnamon sticks, thyme, and rosemary. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper. Return lamb shanks back to the pot; press down to submerge. Boil for 10 minutes. Turn heat off.
- Cover the pot and transfer to the 350 degrees F-heated oven. Cook in the oven for 2 1/2 hours (It’s a good idea to check periodically through cooking just in case you need to add a little more liquid. When the shanks finish cooking, the liquid will have reduced to about 1/3 of what it was when you started.)
- While the lamb shanks are cooking, prepare rice according to this recipe, or prepare 2-3 cups of orzo pasta according to package instructions.
- Serve the lamb shanks hot with a little of the veggies and braising sauce on top of rice or orzo pasta. You might also like to prepare a side salad like this 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad or Fattoush. Enjoy!
Notes
- Slow Cooker Option: Follow the recipe instructions for seasoning and browning the lamb. Transfer the lamb to a large slow cooker. Add the vegetables, then add 1 cup wine (instead of 2), add broth and remaining ingredients. Cover the slow cooker. Set on low and cook for 8 hours or on high and cook for 5 to 6 hours or until the shanks are fully cooked to fall-apart tender.
- Leftovers Storage: Allow leftover lamb to cool completely before storing. Store in the fridge in tight-lid glass containers for 3 days or so. Warm through over medium heat, adding a little liquid if needed.
- Visit our Online Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including spices and olive oil used in this recipe.
- Category: Entree
- Method: Braised
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Lamb shank, how to make lamb shanks, lamb and vegetables