Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Australian Bush Spices
Tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks slow-cooked with aromatic wattleseed and native Australian bush spices, creating a rich and hearty meal. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs shanks, about 8 oz each lamb shanks, ground wattleseed, crushed dried lemon myrtle 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 shanks, about 8 oz each lamb shanks
- 1 tbsp, ground wattleseed
- 1 tsp, crushed dried lemon myrtle
- 2 medium, peeled and chopped carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef stock
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 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 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp ground wattleseed, and 1 tsp crushed dried lemon myrtle.
- Step 2: Brown the lamb shanks in the Dutch oven for 4-5 minutes on each side until deeply golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavors.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 6: Return the lamb shanks to the pot and add 2 cups beef stock along with 2 sprigs fresh rosemary.
- Step 7: Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Slow cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the lamb is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 8: Remove rosemary sprigs, skim excess fat if desired, and serve the lamb shanks with the rich 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 Wattleseed and Australian Bush Spices 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 Wattleseed and Australian Bush Spices?
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 ground wattleseed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Australian Bush Spices?
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 Wattleseed and Australian Bush Spices 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 Wattleseed and Australian Bush Spices?
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.
Related recipes
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Lemon Aspen and Wattleseed
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Native Herb Gravy
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Macadamia Crust
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Tamarind Glaze
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder with Wattleseed and Bush Tomato
