Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Bush Tomato Ragout
Lamb shanks slowly braised with earthy wattleseed and tangy bush tomatoes, creating a robust Australian-inspired ragout perfect for a comforting meal. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 total) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup, chopped dried bush tomatoes
- 2 tsp wattleseed powder
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides for about 5 minutes total until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped dried bush tomatoes, 2 tsp wattleseed powder, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups beef broth and 1 cup red wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Return the lamb shanks to the pot and add 2 sprigs fresh rosemary.
- Step 5: Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the lamb is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 6: Remove lamb shanks and rosemary sprigs, then simmer the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Serve the lamb shanks topped with the bush tomato ragout sauce.
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 Bush 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 Wattleseed and Bush 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Bush 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 Wattleseed and Bush 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 Wattleseed and Bush 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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