Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato Ragu
Fork-tender lamb shanks braised slowly in a rich bush tomato and red wine ragu, capturing robust Australian flavors. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 205 minutes pairs about 1 lb 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 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, about 1 lb each lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz (or substitute with canned diced tomatoes) canned bush tomatoes
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then brown them on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom to deglaze and reduce by half, about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 14 oz canned bush tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme. Return the lamb shanks to the pot, cover with a lid, and place in the preheated oven.
- Step 5: Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is tender and falling off the bone, spooning sauce over the shanks occasionally. Remove rosemary and thyme sprigs before serving with the rich bush tomato ragu.
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 Ragu 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 Shanks with Bush Tomato Ragu?
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 1 lb each lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato Ragu?
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 Ragu 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 Ragu?
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.
Related recipes
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Roasted Root Vegetables
Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Vegemite Glaze
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Roasted Vegetables
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Garlic
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Native Pepperberries
