Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Pepperberry and Tomato Ragout
Tender Australian lamb shanks braised slowly in a rich tomato ragout seasoned with native pepperberry for a subtle spice. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 8 oz each) lamb shanks, olive oil, large yellow 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (about 8 oz each) lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp ground native Australian pepperberry
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Brown shanks on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the Dutch oven. Sauté over medium heat for 7-8 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 1 cup dry red wine, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp ground native Australian pepperberry. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover tightly, and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 5: Remove lamb shanks and tent with foil. Simmer the sauce uncovered on stovetop for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve lamb with sauce spooned over and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
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 Tomato Ragout 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 Pepperberry and Tomato Ragout?
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 8 oz each) lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Pepperberry and Tomato Ragout?
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 Tomato Ragout 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 Tomato Ragout?
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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