Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Native Mint and Quandong Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

About the author — is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Rich lamb shanks braised slowly in a fragrant sauce infused with native Australian mint and sweet-tart quandong fruit. This Australian-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 210 minutes, pairs lamb shanks, olive oil, onion, diced 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Australian cuisine 550 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly. Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce by half.
  4. Step 4: Add back the lamb shanks, 2 cups beef broth, 1/2 cup quandong fruit puree, 2 tbsp chopped native mint leaves, and 2 sprigs fresh rosemary. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven.
  5. Step 5: Slow cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is tender and falling off the bone. Remove rosemary sprigs, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve lamb shanks spooned with the tangy, aromatic sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Native Mint and Quandong Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (30 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 Native Mint and Quandong Sauce?

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 lamb shanks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Native Mint and Quandong Sauce?

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 Native Mint and Quandong Sauce 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 Native Mint and Quandong Sauce?

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.

Related recipes