Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Native Wattleseed Gravy
Tender lamb shanks braised slowly in a rich gravy infused with native Australian wattleseed, offering a deep, nutty flavor perfect for a comforting meal. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 220 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs each) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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 1.5 lbs each) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 medium, chopped into 1-inch pieces carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 tsp wattleseed (ground)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and season all over with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown lamb shanks on all sides, about 8 minutes total, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pot, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking 2 more minutes until deepened in color.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits, and cook 3-4 minutes until reduced by half. Add 3 cups beef stock, 2 tsp ground wattleseed, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme. Return lamb shanks to the pot, submerge partially in liquid.
- Step 4: Cover tightly and transfer to oven. Braise for 3 hours until lamb is fork-tender and falling off the bone. Remove lamb and herbs from pot, skim fat, and simmer gravy on stovetop for 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Adjust seasoning with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Serve lamb shanks with generous ladles of wattleseed gravy over mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Native Wattleseed Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 220 minutes (25 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 Native Wattleseed Gravy?
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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Native Wattleseed Gravy?
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 Native Wattleseed Gravy 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 Native Wattleseed Gravy?
Australian 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.
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