Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Pepperberry and Bush Tomato Sauce
Tender Australian lamb shanks slow-cooked in a rich sauce featuring native pepperberries and bush tomatoes for a deep, earthy flavor. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes blends olive oil, large, diced (about 1 cup) onion, medium, diced (about 1 cup) carrot into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 shanks (about 2.5 lbs total) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced (about 1 cup) onion
- 2 medium, diced (about 1 cup) carrot
- 2, diced (about 1 cup) celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, chopped dried bush tomatoes
- 1 tsp crushed native pepperberries
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks (about 2.5 lbs) with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides until deeply caramelized, about 8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped dried bush tomatoes, and 1 tsp crushed native pepperberries; cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup red wine and 2 tbsp tomato paste, scraping the browned bits from the bottom, and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Return the lamb shanks to the pot and pour in 2 cups beef broth. Add 2 sprigs fresh rosemary.
- Step 6: Cover tightly and transfer to the preheated oven, cooking for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is fork-tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 7: Remove rosemary sprigs and skim excess fat. Serve the shanks with the rich pepperberry and bush tomato sauce spooned over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Pepperberry and Bush Tomato Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Pepperberry and Bush Tomato Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Pepperberry and Bush Tomato 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 Pepperberry and Bush Tomato 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 Pepperberry and Bush Tomato 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.
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