Red Wine and Thyme Braised Lamb Shanks

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Slow-braised lamb shanks cooked in a rich red wine and fresh thyme sauce that develops deep layers of flavor over time. This French-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs lamb shanks, olive oil, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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 580 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks
3 tbsp olive oil
2 medium, diced carrots
2 diced celery stalks
1 large, chopped yellow onion
4 minced garlic cloves
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown shanks on all sides for 8-10 minutes, then remove and set aside.
Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 chopped large onion to the Dutch oven. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour in 1 1/2 cups dry red wine and scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
Step 4: Return lamb shanks to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth and 4 sprigs fresh thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and place in the oven to braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
Step 5: Remove thyme sprigs and serve lamb shanks with the rich braising sauce spooned over top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Red Wine and Thyme Braised Lamb Shanks 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 Red Wine and Thyme Braised Lamb Shanks?

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 lamb shanks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Red Wine and Thyme Braised Lamb Shanks?

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 Red Wine and Thyme Braised Lamb Shanks 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 Red Wine and Thyme Braised Lamb Shanks?

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.