Braised Lamb Shank (Printable Recipe)

Slow-braised lamb shanks in red wine sauce with garlic and herbs. Tender and comforting.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Main

01 - 4 lamb shanks (1.5 lb each), excess fat trimmed
02 - 2 teaspoons sea salt, plus more to taste
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Vegetables

05 - 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, diced
07 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

→ Liquids

08 - 1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet, Merlot, or Pinot Noir)
09 - 1 1/2 cups water
10 - 14 ounces tomato puree

→ Seasoning and Aromatics

11 - 4 medium beef stock cubes, crushed
12 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
14 - 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
15 - 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 3 bay leaves (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Pat lamb shanks dry and season thoroughly with sea salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Sear lamb on all sides until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, sauté diced tomatoes, onions, and carrots for 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
04 - Add red wine, water, tomato puree, and beef stock cubes. Scrape up any browned bits. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Return seared lamb to the pan. Nestle bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and parsley around the shanks.
06 - Cover pan tightly with foil and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C). Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, basting occasionally, until meat is fork tender and pulls away from the bone.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Allow lamb shanks to rest 10 minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.
02 - Scraping browned bits during deglazing intensifies flavor in the sauce.
03 - Cooking time may vary based on shank size; test with a fork for tenderness.