Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Wattleseed and Sweet Potato Mash
Tender lamb shanks braised slowly with Australian wattleseed and aromatic herbs, served on creamy sweet potato mash. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 210 minutes pairs olive oil, large (1 cup) chopped onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large (1 cup) chopped onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 2 medium (1 cup) diced carrots
- 2 stalks (1 cup) diced celery stalks
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tbsp ground wattleseed
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 large (about 2 lbs) sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown on all sides for 8 minutes until golden and crusted. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 cup chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 cup diced carrots, and 1 cup diced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp ground wattleseed, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp dried rosemary, cooking for 1 minute to release aromas.
- Step 4: Deglaze the pot with 1 cup red wine, scraping browned bits from the bottom, then add 3 cups beef broth. Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover, and place in the oven to braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is very tender.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, peel and cube 3 large sweet potatoes. Boil in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain, then mash with 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup milk, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley until smooth and creamy.
- Step 6: Serve the lamb shanks over a bed of sweet potato mash, spooning the rich braising sauce and vegetables over the top.
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 Sweet Potato Mash take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (30 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 Sweet Potato Mash?
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 Sweet Potato Mash?
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 Sweet Potato Mash 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 Sweet Potato Mash?
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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