Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Native Pepperberry
Hearty lamb shanks braised slowly in a rich sauce infused with bush tomato and pepperberry, two iconic Australian native ingredients adding depth and warmth. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 560 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 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp bush tomato paste
- 1 tsp, crushed dried native pepperberries
- 2 tsp leaves fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup red wine
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and season 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. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and sauté 1 large finely chopped onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks with 4 minced garlic cloves for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp bush tomato paste and 1 tsp crushed dried native pepperberries, cooking for 1 minute. Deglaze the pot with 1 cup red wine, scraping browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 4: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover tightly, 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 lamb shanks and keep warm. Simmer the sauce on stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes to thicken and adjust seasoning as needed before serving the shanks with the sauce spooned over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Native Pepperberry 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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Native Pepperberry?
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 Shanks with Bush Tomato and Native Pepperberry?
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 Shanks with Bush Tomato and Native Pepperberry 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 Shanks with Bush Tomato and Native Pepperberry?
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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