Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Damper Bread Dumplings
Succulent lamb shanks braised slowly in red wine and native herbs, paired with fluffy damper bread dumplings to soak up the rich sauce. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 215 minutes pairs about 300 g each lamb shanks, olive oil, large, chopped carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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
- 2 large, chopped carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tbsp, melted butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks (about 300 g each) with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 2 large chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 1 diced large onion to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and cook for 3 minutes to reduce slightly. Add 2 cups beef stock, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 2 sprigs fresh thyme. Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is tender.
- Step 4: While lamb cooks, prepare damper dumplings by mixing 2 cups self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 cup milk, and 3 tbsp melted butter into a sticky dough.
- Step 5: After lamb is tender, remove from oven and place dumplings on top of the stew. Cover and return to oven for 25 minutes until dumplings are puffed and golden.
- Step 6: Serve lamb shanks with dumplings and spoon over the rich sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Damper Bread Dumplings take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (25 min prep + 190 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 Damper Bread Dumplings?
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 Shanks with Damper Bread Dumplings?
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 Damper Bread Dumplings 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 Damper Bread Dumplings?
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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