Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Anzac Biscuit Crust
Tender lamb shanks braised with fragrant rosemary, finished under a crunchy crust inspired by traditional Australian Anzac biscuits for a textural contrast. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 215 minutes pairs shanks (about 1.5 lbs each) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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 shanks (about 1.5 lbs each) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 6 crushed (about 1 cup crumbs) Anzac biscuits
- 3 tbsp, melted butter
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 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 with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown in the oil for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply golden. 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 pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Return lamb shanks to the pot. Add 3 cups beef broth, 1 cup dry red wine, and 3 fresh rosemary sprigs. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly, and transfer to the oven. Cook for 3 hours until lamb is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 4: Remove lamb shanks and set aside, keeping warm. Discard rosemary sprigs. Stir the braising liquid and reduce uncovered on stovetop over medium-high heat for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Step 5: Combine 6 crushed Anzac biscuits (about 1 cup crumbs) with 3 tbsp melted butter in a bowl. Spoon braising liquid over lamb shanks in an oven-safe dish and sprinkle the biscuit mixture evenly on top.
- Step 6: Place under a broiler set to high for 3-4 minutes until the biscuit crust is golden and crisp. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Anzac Biscuit Crust take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Rosemary and Anzac Biscuit Crust?
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 Rosemary and Anzac Biscuit Crust?
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 Rosemary and Anzac Biscuit Crust 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 Rosemary and Anzac Biscuit Crust?
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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