Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Finger Lime and Quandong Glaze
Fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks braised slowly in a rich sauce brightened by native Australian finger lime pearls and sweet quandong glaze. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs about 350 g 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 550 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 350 g each lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp quandong jam
- 2 tbsp (optional garnish) finger lime pearls
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb shanks on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deeply colored, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 5: Return lamb shanks to the pot. Add 2 cups beef stock, 1 tsp dried rosemary, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 7: Remove lamb shanks and keep warm. Stir 3 tbsp quandong jam into the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat until glossy and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Step 8: Spoon the glaze over the lamb shanks and sprinkle 2 tbsp finger lime pearls on top just before serving for a fresh citrus burst.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Finger Lime and Quandong Glaze 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 Finger Lime and Quandong Glaze?
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 350 g each lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Finger Lime and Quandong Glaze?
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 Finger Lime and Quandong Glaze 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 Finger Lime and Quandong Glaze?
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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