Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Golden Wattleseed Gravy
Fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks braised slowly in a rich gravy infused with Australian wattleseed and robust red wine. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 2 lbs) lamb shanks, olive oil, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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 2 lbs) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tsp ground wattleseed
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb shanks on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp ground wattleseed, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 6: Return the lamb shanks to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth and 2 fresh rosemary sprigs. Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the oven.
- Step 7: Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the lamb is tender and falls off the bone.
- Step 8: Remove the lamb shanks and rosemary sprigs. Reduce the sauce over medium heat if needed until thickened to a gravy consistency before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Golden Wattleseed Gravy 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 Golden Wattleseed Gravy?
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 2 lbs) lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Golden Wattleseed Gravy?
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 Golden Wattleseed Gravy 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 Golden Wattleseed Gravy?
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 Rosemary and Bush Tomato
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Wattleseed and Desert Pepper
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Lemon Myrtle and Root Vegetables
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Rosemary and Root Vegetables
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Rosemary
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
