Mediterranean Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables
Slow-braised lamb shanks cooked in robust red wine with aromatic herbs and hearty root vegetables until fall-off-the-bone tender. This mediterranean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 3 lbs total) lamb shanks, dry red wine, medium, peeled and chopped carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (about 3 lbs total) lamb shanks
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 3 medium, peeled and chopped carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and chopped parsnips
- 1 large, sliced yellow onion
- 5 smashed garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 rosemary sprigs
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Brown lamb shanks on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deep golden; transfer to plate.
- Step 3: Add 1 large sliced yellow onion, 3 smashed garlic cloves (reserve 2 for later), 3 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped parsnips to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in 2 cups dry red wine and scrape any browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 5: Return lamb shanks to the pot along with 3 rosemary and 3 thyme sprigs, 2 cups beef broth, and the remaining 2 smashed garlic cloves. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 7: Remove lamb shanks and herbs. Reduce the braising liquid on stove over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Serve lamb shanks with the vegetables and spoon the sauce over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mediterranean Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables 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 Mediterranean Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables?
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 dry red wine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables?
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 Mediterranean Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables 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 Mediterranean Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables?
Mediterranean 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.
