Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle
Rich and tender lamb shanks infused with aromatic wattleseed and lemon myrtle, slow-cooked until fall-off-the-bone soft. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 215 minutes pairs about 1 lb each lamb shanks, olive oil, large onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 lb each lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp wattleseed powder
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 4 lamb shanks (about 1 lb each) and season with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the lamb shanks on all sides until deeply browned, about 4 minutes per side, then 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 6-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened. Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits, and reduce by half, about 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Return lamb shanks to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp wattleseed powder, 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder, and 2 fresh rosemary sprigs. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Slow-cook for 3 hours until the lamb shanks are tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 7: Remove lamb shanks and keep warm. Simmer the sauce uncovered on the stovetop for 10 minutes until thickened and flavorful. Serve lamb with spoonfuls of the 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 Lemon Myrtle 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 Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle?
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 about 1 lb each lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle?
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 Lemon Myrtle 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 Lemon Myrtle?
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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