Slow-Roasted Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Finger Lime Jus
Succulent lamb shanks slow-roasted with fresh rosemary, served with a bright, citrusy jus made from native finger limes. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 210 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks, salt, black pepper 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 1.5 lbs total) lamb shanks
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 large, chopped carrot
- 1 chopped celery stalk
- 1 medium, chopped yellow onion
- 4 crushed garlic cloves
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 3, pulp extracted finger limes
- 1 tbsp mixed with 2 tbsp water cornstarch
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 4 lamb shanks with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb shanks on all sides for 8-10 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 chopped large carrot, 1 chopped celery stalk, 1 chopped medium yellow onion, and 4 crushed garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups beef broth and 1 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits. Return lamb shanks and 4 fresh rosemary sprigs to the pot. Cover and transfer to the oven.
- Step 5: Roast for 3 hours until lamb is tender and pulls away from the bone.
- Step 6: Remove lamb and keep warm. Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and stir in the finger lime pulp from 3 finger limes.
- Step 7: Add the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) to the simmering jus and cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Step 8: Serve the lamb shanks drizzled with the finger lime rosemary jus.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Finger Lime Jus take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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-Roasted Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Finger Lime Jus?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Finger Lime Jus?
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-Roasted Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Finger Lime Jus 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-Roasted Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Finger Lime Jus?
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.
Equipment for this recipe
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