Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Damper-Style Flatbread
Tender lamb shanks slow-cooked in a rich tomato and native spice sauce, served with a simple Australian damper-inspired flatbread to soak up the savory juices. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 215 minutes pairs (about 6 oz each) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, diced 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 6 oz each) lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz (800 g) canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 tbsp, ground Wattleseed
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 tbsp, melted butter
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides for about 8 minutes total until deeply golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, cooking over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground wattleseed, and 1 tsp dried thyme; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 2 cups beef stock, stirring to combine. Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover tightly, and place in the preheated oven for 3 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare damper-style flatbread by mixing 2 cups plain flour and 2 tsp baking powder in a bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup milk, 3 tbsp melted butter, and 1 tsp honey to form a soft dough.
- Step 5: Turn dough onto a floured surface, knead gently 5 times, then shape into a round loaf about 8 inches wide. Place on a baking tray and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 6: Serve the slow-cooked lamb shanks hot with generous spoonfuls of the tomato sauce alongside slices of warm damper flatbread for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Damper-Style Flatbread take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 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 Shanks with Damper-Style Flatbread?
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 6 oz each) lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Damper-Style Flatbread?
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-Style Flatbread 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-Style Flatbread?
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.
