Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Red Wine Reduction
Rich and tender lamb shanks braised slowly in red wine and infused with Australian wattleseed for a deep, nutty aroma. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs about 10 oz each lamb shanks, olive oil, chopped celery stalks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 10 oz each lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces carrots
- 2 chopped celery stalks
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tsp, ground wattleseed
- 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 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides for about 8 minutes until golden and caramelized; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 2 chopped carrots to the pot, sautéing for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 2 tsp ground wattleseed, cooking for 2 minutes to toast the spices. Pour in 2 cups dry red wine and 2 cups beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
- Step 4: Return lamb shanks to the pot, add 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and bring the liquid to a simmer. Cover the pot and transfer to the oven to braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove lamb and keep warm. Simmer the braising liquid uncovered on stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes to reduce and thicken into a rich sauce. Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Serve lamb shanks drizzled with the wattleseed red wine reduction 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 Red Wine Reduction 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 Red Wine Reduction?
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 10 oz each lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Red Wine Reduction?
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 Red Wine Reduction 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 Red Wine Reduction?
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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