Slow-Cooked Spiced Lamb Shanks

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply flavorful and tender dish that requires patience and care, embodying the serious commitment to slow cooking for maximum depth of flavor. This middle eastern-inspired slow cooker ready in about 510 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat lamb shanks, olive oil, large, chopped onion 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.

★ 3.8 (13 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 lamb shanks dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the lamb shanks for 3 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large onion, chopped, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup red wine and scrape the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
  5. Step 5: Add the wine mixture to the slow cooker along with 1 cup beef broth and 2 bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  6. Step 6: Remove the lamb shanks and bay leaves. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the sauce.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Step 8: Serve the lamb shanks with the sauce over mashed potatoes or couscous.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Spiced Lamb Shanks take to make?

Total time is about 510 minutes (30 min prep + 480 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 Spiced Lamb Shanks?

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 Spiced Lamb Shanks?

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 Spiced Lamb Shanks 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 Spiced Lamb Shanks?

Middle Eastern slow cooker 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes