Slow-Simmered Lamb Kleftiko with Lemon and Herbs
Tender lamb shanks slow-cooked with lemon, garlic, and aromatic herbs until the meat falls off the bone, inspired by a classic Greek countryside specialty. This greek-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs (about 1.5 kg) lamb shanks, lemon juice, garlic cloves, crushed 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 pieces (about 1.5 kg) lamb shanks
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 500 g potatoes, cut into chunks
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a large roasting pan, place 4 lamb shanks and drizzle with 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Add 5 crushed garlic cloves, 3 sprigs rosemary, 3 sprigs thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and 1 cup water to create a flavorful braising liquid. Surround the lamb with 500 g potato chunks tossed lightly in olive oil and salt.
- Step 3: Cover the roasting pan tightly with foil and bake for 3 hours, or until the lamb is tender and falling off the bone and the potatoes are soft.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving, spooning the rich pan juices over the meat and potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Lamb Kleftiko with Lemon and Herbs 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-Simmered Lamb Kleftiko with Lemon and Herbs?
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 1.5 kg) lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Lamb Kleftiko with Lemon and Herbs?
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-Simmered Lamb Kleftiko with Lemon and Herbs 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-Simmered Lamb Kleftiko with Lemon and Herbs?
Greek 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.
