What exactly is a lamb shank?
Lamb shanks come from the lower end of the leg and are loved for their full flavour and falling off the bone consistency after long, slow cooking. Most lamb shanks come ‘French-trimmed’ which means all the meat and fat is removed from one end of a bone, making it easier to pick up and more visually appealing. Lamb shanks are also loved for their price point. Although cost has risen as their popularity has increased, they are still one of the cheapest lamb cuts, and one of the most flavourful when cooked correctly.
How to cook lamb shanks
Regardless of what you cook them with, lamb shanks need long, slow cooking to get to their falling-off-the-bone best. To ensure they have a rich flavour and that the sauce takes on a caramelised meaty flavour, don’t skip browning the meat first. This simple step will also help seal in the juices and tenderise the meat. If you have any leftover shanks, remove the meat from the bone and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days, or the freezer for up to 1 month.
Slow cooked lamb shanks
One of the easiest and tastiest ways to cook lamb shanks is in your slow cooker.All you need is a handful of ingredients and you can let your slow cooker do all the hard work. Simply brown your meat to seal in the flavours and add in your ingredients. Some of our current favouriteslow cooker lamb shank recipes include:
- Slow Cooker Moroccan lamb shanks
- Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks
- Slow Cooker Garlic and Herb Lamb Shanks
- Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks with Sherry
- Lamb Shanks Slow Cooked in Guinness with Bacon and Rosemary
- Suzanne’s lamb shanks
How to cook lamb shanks in the oven
If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can still recreate the rich flavours and tender texture in the oven. They will take less time than in your slow cooker, but it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature and liquid levels so they don’t dry out. Try our top slow cooked lamb shank oven recipes below.
- Red wine and garlic slow-cooked lamb shanks
- Red wine, balsamic and rosemary braised lamb shanks
- Delicious Lamb Shanks
- Lamb Shanks Italian-Style
Pressure cooker lamb shanks
Short on time but still want that same softmeat? The pressure cooker is your best friend. Cooking lamb shanks in the pressure cooker is a great way to get tender meat in a fraction of the time. Similar to slow cooking, you can simply place your ingredients into your pressure cooker and let it do its magic. If you find your sauce at the end of pressure cooking isn’t the desired thickness, drain it into a saucepan and simmer until reduced.
- Citrus lamb shanks
- Lamb shanks in a rich gravy broth
Red wine lamb shank recipes
Perhaps the most popular of all the shank recipes, this one uses the big flavour of red wine to make a rich, burgundy coloured dish. Pair it up with companion flavours like tomato, garlic and rosemary for a guaranteed delicious dish.
- Lamb Shanks with Red Wine Sauce
- Lamb Shanks Italian Style
- Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
- Red Wine and Garlic Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
Lamb shank soup recipes
If you’ve only got a single shank and need it to feed a crowd, consider making a soup. The fat and bone of the shank add plenty of extra flavour to the soup, and as the shank falls apart, the meat mixes throughout the soup, making it even richer.
- Lamb Shank, Tomato and Pasta Soup
- Nanna’s Lamb Shank and Vegetable Soup
- Lamb Shank and Barley Soup
- Lamb Shank Soup
- Lamb Shank Vegetable Soup
Braised lamb shanks
A great way to concentrate flavours and get those lamb shanks really tender is by braising. This is essentially frying the meat to caramelise the outside and then adding to a covered pot with braising liquid to slowly cook the meat to perfection. This technique lends itself perfectly to dishes with herbs and wine. New to braising lamb shanks? Give the recipes below a try.
- Red wine, balsamic and rosemary lamb shanks
- Easy braised lamb shanks
Moroccan lamb shanks
Perhaps one of the best-known (and tastiest) ways to cook lamb shanks is to amp up the flavours with Moroccan spices. The sweetness of dried fruit cuts through the richness of the lamb perfectly in these lamb shank recipes. Try pairing with couscous for the perfect way to mop up all those delicious juices.
- Slow cooker Moroccan lamb shanks
- Moroccan lamb tagine
- Moroccan lamb soup with chickpea and coriander
Roasted lamb shank
Roasting lamb shanks isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Like with most lamb shank recipes, the key is to take your time and roast them low and slow. If you’re new to cooking lamb this way then keep it simple. You need little more than garlic, herbs and tomatoes to really turn your roast into a dish to remember.
- Garlic-roasted lamb shanks
- Taste.com.au’s slow-roasted lamb shanks with tomatoes and lentils
Different lamb shank flavours
Lamb shanks are loved right around the world, and here are some of our favourite recipes that utilise a range of new flavours. From Greece and Canada to an Italian version flavoured with olives and anchovies, these recipes are sure to become new favourites.
- Canadian Lamb Shanks
- Greek-style Lamb Shanks
- Rosemary Plum Lamb Shanks
- Lamb Shanks, Green Olives and Anchovies
What to serve with lamb shanks
One thing all lamb shank recipes have in common is that they produce a delicious sauce that is ideal for serving with sides made for mopping it up. Try rice, couscous or a decadent mash to ensure your meal is complete. And don’t forget to add a side dish of green veggies, such as beans, broccoli or salad greens, to contrast with the richness of the shanks.
- Mashed Potatoes
- Decadent Garlic Mash
- Cauliflower Rice
- Cauliflower Cheese
- Potato Bake
- Mushy Split Peas
- Spicy Pilaf
- Mashed Potato, Parsnip and Sweet Potato
- Coriander and Green Bean Couscous
- Green Beans with Almonds
- Beer Bread
- Cheese and Herb Focaccia Bread
