Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Kakadu Plum Glaze
Tender lamb shanks braised slowly with Australian wattleseed and finished with a tangy Kakadu plum glaze for a rich and aromatic meal. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 2.5 lbs total) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, chopped yellow 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 pieces (about 2.5 lbs total) lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 2 medium, chopped carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground wattleseed
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp Kakadu plum jam
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the 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, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp ground wattleseed, then brown the shanks on all sides for about 8 minutes until nicely caramelized.
- Step 2: Remove the shanks and set aside. In the same pot, add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in 3 cups beef broth and 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits.
- Step 4: Return the lamb shanks to the pot along with 2 sprigs fresh rosemary. Bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove the lamb shanks and keep warm. Stir 3 tbsp Kakadu plum jam into the braising liquid over medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Serve the lamb shanks drizzled with the Kakadu plum glaze and accompanied by roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
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 Kakadu Plum Glaze 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 Kakadu Plum Glaze?
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 Kakadu Plum Glaze?
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 Kakadu Plum Glaze 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 Kakadu Plum Glaze?
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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