Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry
Succulent lamb shanks braised slowly with aromatic Australian lemon myrtle and pepperberry, served over creamy mashed potatoes. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 205 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs total) 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 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, sliced carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tsp dried crushed lemon myrtle leaves
- 1 tsp crushed pepperberries
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 lbs, peeled and quartered potatoes
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Brown 4 lamb shanks on all sides for about 8 minutes until deeply golden, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the pot; sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp dried crushed lemon myrtle leaves, and 1 tsp crushed pepperberries; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup red wine and scrape up browned bits, then add 3 cups beef broth, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover, and braise in the oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, boil 2 lbs peeled, quartered potatoes in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash with 4 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup milk until smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Serve the lamb shanks over mashed potatoes, spooning the rich lemon myrtle-infused braising sauce on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry 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 Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry?
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 Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry 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 Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry?
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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