Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Wattleseed Gravy
Tender lamb shanks braised slowly in a rich gravy infused with native Australian wattleseed, served with creamy mashed potatoes. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 205 minutes pairs (about 3 lbs) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 670 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) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, sliced yellow onion
- 3 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 tsp, ground dried wattleseed
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 lbs, peeled and quartered potatoes
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and season with salt and black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat and brown lamb shanks on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large sliced yellow onion, 3 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté over medium heat for 6 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce by half, about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Return lamb shanks to the pot and add 3 cups beef stock, 2 tsp ground dried wattleseed, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until lamb is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 5: While lamb cooks, boil 2 lbs peeled and quartered potatoes in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash with 4 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup milk until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 6: Remove lamb and vegetables from the pot. Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
- Step 7: Serve lamb shanks over mashed potatoes with wattleseed gravy spooned generously on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Wattleseed Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 205 minutes (25 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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with 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 (about 3 lbs) lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with 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 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 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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