Savory Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary
Slow-braised lamb shanks simmered in a rich red wine and rosemary sauce until fall-off-the-bone tender. This french ready in about 200 minutes pairs lamb shanks, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large chopped yellow onion and 2 diced carrots to the Dutch oven and sauté for 6 minutes until softened. Stir in 5 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then pour in 2 cups dry red wine and 2 cups beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 4: Return the lamb shanks to the pot and add 3 fresh rosemary sprigs. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the meat is tender and pulls away from the bone.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Savory 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 Savory 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 lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Savory 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 Savory Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary 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 Savory Braised Lamb Shanks with Red Wine and Rosemary?
French french 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Impressed my wife with this Sunday dinner. Leftovers were even better the next day. The rosemary-infused gravy paired perfectly with mashed potatoes.
- ★★★★★
Best lamb shanks ever. The 3-hour braise made it melt-in-your-mouth tender. Used Cabernet Sauvignon instead of Merlot—richer flavor!
- ★★★★★
This recipe transformed my dinner party! The lamb fell off the bone and the red wine sauce was divine. Served with crusty bread for soaking up every drop.
