Spiced Harissa Braised Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas
Tender lamb shanks slowly braised in a fragrant harissa and tomato sauce, served atop creamy chickpeas for a hearty and aromatic meal. This mediterranean-inspired lamb ready in about 170 minutes pairs (about 3 lbs) lamb shanks, olive oil, large (about 1 cup) onion, diced 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 (about 1 cup) onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 4 lamb shanks and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes per side; transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 cup diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp harissa paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth; bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2 to 2.5 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 6: During the last 20 minutes, stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained chickpeas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook uncovered to thicken the sauce.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving over couscous or rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Harissa Braised Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Spiced Harissa Braised Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas?
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 Spiced Harissa Braised Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas?
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 Spiced Harissa Braised Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas 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 Spiced Harissa Braised Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas?
Mediterranean 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.
