Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Wattleseed Gravy
Fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks braised slowly in a rosemary and tomato sauce, finished with a fragrant wattleseed gravy. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 180 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lb total) 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 450 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 lb total) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 2 medium, chopped carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 fresh sprigs rosemary sprigs
- 1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tsp, ground wattleseed
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1.5 tsp sea 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 with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pot. Sauté over medium heat for 6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp ground wattleseed, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and 2 cups beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits.
- Step 5: Return the lamb shanks to the pot along with 3 fresh rosemary sprigs. Cover with a lid and transfer to the oven, cooking for 2.5 hours until meat is tender.
- Step 6: Remove lamb shanks and keep warm. Mix 2 tbsp flour with 1/4 cup cold water to create a slurry, then stir into the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Step 7: Simmer gravy for 5-7 minutes until thickened and glossy, seasoning with remaining 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Serve lamb shanks with the wattleseed gravy 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 Rosemary and Wattleseed Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 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 Wattleseed Gravy?
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 Wattleseed Gravy?
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 Wattleseed Gravy 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 Wattleseed Gravy?
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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