Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Pepperberry and Rosemary
Fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks cooked slowly with Australian pepperberry and fresh rosemary, delivering a rich and aromatic stew. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 210 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs each) lamb shanks, olive oil, large 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 (about 1.5 lbs each) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 3 medium carrots chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves minced
- 3 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 tsp dried Australian pepperberry ground
- 3 cups beef stock
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper ground
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and season all over with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp ground Australian pepperberry.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown lamb shanks on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deeply caramelized, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 large diced onion, 3 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then add 1 cup red wine. Simmer for 3 minutes until wine reduces slightly.
- Step 5: Return lamb shanks to the pot, add 3 cups beef stock and 3 fresh rosemary sprigs. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover with a lid.
- Step 6: Transfer pot to the preheated oven and cook for 3 hours until lamb is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 7: Remove rosemary sprigs, adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed, and serve lamb shanks with the rich sauce spooned over the top.
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 Rosemary take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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 Pepperberry and Rosemary?
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 Pepperberry and Rosemary?
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 Rosemary 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 Rosemary?
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.