Low-Temperature Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary
Tender lamb shanks slowly braised in red wine and rosemary, resulting in rich, fall-off-the-bone meat with a deeply flavorful sauce. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 1.5 pounds total) lamb shanks, olive oil, medium carrot, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 (about 1.5 pounds total) lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups beef or lamb broth
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat dry 2 lamb shanks (about 1.5 pounds total) and season with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the shanks on all sides for about 8 minutes until deeply golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, and 1 diced medium yellow onion to the pot. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute more.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to caramelize. Pour in 1 cup dry red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Return lamb shanks to the pot and add 2 cups beef or lamb broth and 2 fresh rosemary sprigs. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 5: Remove lamb from the pot and keep warm. Strain the braising liquid, skim fat, and reduce the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat until thickened to coat the back of a spoon. Serve lamb shanks with the sauce spooned over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Temperature Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary 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 Low-Temperature Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Temperature Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary?
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 Low-Temperature Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Low-Temperature Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary?
French slow cooker 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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