Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed
Tender lamb shanks braised slowly with aromatic lemon myrtle and earthy wattleseed for a comforting Australian-inspired stew. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 200 minutes pairs about 1 lb 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 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, about 1 lb each lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp, ground wattleseed
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 3 cups beef or lamb stock
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat 4 lamb shanks dry and season with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp ground wattleseed, and 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb shanks on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deeply caramelized; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 2 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the wine reduces by half.
- Step 6: Add 3 cups beef or lamb stock and 2 sprigs fresh rosemary. Return the lamb shanks to the pot, ensuring they are partially submerged in the liquid.
- Step 7: Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the lamb is fork-tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 8: Remove the lamb shanks and rosemary sprigs. Reduce the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Serve the lamb shanks drizzled with the rich sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed 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 Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed?
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 1 lb each lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed?
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 Wattleseed 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 Wattleseed?
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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