French-Style Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender lamb shanks slowly braised in red wine with garlic, carrots, and aromatic herbs for a rich and comforting meal. This french-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks, medium, peeled and chopped carrots, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 French cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb shanks on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 chopped carrots. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add 4 crushed garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups dry red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced slightly.
  4. Step 4: Return lamb shanks to the pot. Add 2 cups beef or lamb broth, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove lamb shanks and herbs. Skim fat from the sauce, then season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Serve lamb shanks with the rich braising sauce spooned over top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does French-Style Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover French-Style Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Herbs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large, diced yellow onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in French-Style Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Herbs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale French-Style Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Herbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with French-Style Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Herbs?

French lamb like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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