Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Tomato
Succulent lamb shanks braised slowly with aromatic lemon myrtle and ripe tomatoes, creating a hearty and fragrant Australian-inspired stew. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 215 minutes pairs about 300 g each lamb shanks, olive oil, large, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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, about 300 g each lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 400 g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp (optional, for sauce thickening) cornstarch
- 2 tbsp (optional) water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deep golden. Remove shanks and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 400 g canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups beef stock, 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs. Return lamb shanks to the pot, partially submerging them in the liquid.
- Step 4: Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the oven. Braise the lamb shanks for 3 hours, turning once halfway, until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Step 5: Remove lamb shanks and keep warm. If the sauce is thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir into the pot. Simmer on stovetop over medium heat for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Serve lamb shanks topped with the rich lemon myrtle tomato sauce alongside mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Tomato take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Tomato?
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 about 300 g each lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Tomato?
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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Tomato 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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Tomato?
Australian 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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