Slow-Roasted Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Preserved Lemon and Olives
Tender lamb shanks slow-cooked in fragrant Moroccan spices, preserved lemon, and briny green olives create a deeply flavorful and comforting dish. This middle eastern-inspired lamb (gluten free) ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 3 lbs) lamb shanks, olive oil, large, thinly sliced 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (about 3 lbs) lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, thinly sliced onion
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 whole, pulp removed, rind thinly sliced preserved lemon
- 1 cup, pitted and halved green olives
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp (optional for heat) harissa paste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 3 lbs of lamb shanks evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown lamb shanks on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, until deeply caramelized.
- Step 2: Remove lamb and reduce heat to medium. Add 1 large thinly sliced onion and 5 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until onion softens and is translucent, stirring frequently.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook spices for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return lamb shanks to the pot. Add 1 whole preserved lemon rind (pulp removed and rind thinly sliced), 1 cup pitted halved green olives, 2 cups chicken broth, and 1 tbsp harissa paste if using. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Slow roast for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is fork-tender and meat is falling off the bone.
- Step 6: Remove the lid, baste the lamb with the cooking liquid, and roast uncovered for another 15 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the lamb before serving, spooning the sauce, olives, and lemon rind over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Preserved Lemon and Olives 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-Roasted Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
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 3 lbs) lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
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 Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Preserved Lemon and Olives 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.
Is Slow-Roasted Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Preserved Lemon and Olives gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
