Lamb shanks are one of the most irresistible meats when cooked well, and are best enjoyed falling off the bone and swimming in sauce. We’ve pulled together our favourite lamb shank recipes, from Moroccan braised lamb shanks to curries, stews and a classic red wine number. Enjoy!
Lamb shanks are a tougher cut of meat meaning once cooked for a long time over a low heat all that tough collagen breaks down to cerate a rich and buttery fall apart meat. The great thing about lamb shanks is that you can not over cook them! All that will happen is that the meat becomes extra tender and no longer attached to the bone, depending on the dish this can actually be helpful. And if they haven’t cooked enough? Just pop them back on to cook a little longer with extra liquid if needed.
The most important thing to remember is to brown your shanks as well as you can. It is a difficult shape to brown evenly, but do your best as this browning is the key to creating a rich flavour base for any protein that’s slow cooked in a braising liquid.
Whichever version you’re keen to try, these are our favourite lamb shank recipes.
Looking for more lamb recipes?
Lamb shanks massaman
Tender lamb shanks cooked low and slow until falling off the bone and served in a mild Massaman curry.
Slow cooker lamb shanks with tomato, chilli and fetta
Shank you very much!
Lamb shank osso buco
In this lamb shank osso buco recipe, the meat is slow cooked in the oven until tender and falling off the bone. Delicious!
Slow-cooked lamb shank pie
Slow down and say shank you very much.
Tomato-braised lamb shanks with creamy polenta
Shank you very much!
Slow-cooker lamb shanks
Come home to perfectly tender lamb shanks.
Lamb shanks with mash and silverbeet
Shank you very much.
Winter lamb shank and vegetable soup
It’s worth the wait.
Julie Goodwin’s lamb shank cacciatore
A warming family dinner.
Lamb shank stew with creamy mash
Warm up with a comforting stew.
Moroccan lamb shanks with polenta & white beans
French-trimmed lamb shanks are redolent with the spices of the Middle East in this Moroccan inspired dish.
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Lamb shanks
Shank you very much!
Braised lamb shanks with white bean purée
Cosy up with this winter with tender slow-cooked lamb shanks and dreamy white bean purée.
Lamb shanks with risoni and tomato
Meaning “big rice” in Italian, risoni is pasta shaped like long grain rice. It blends beautifully with these fragrantly slow-cooked lamb shanks.
Maple syrup-glazed lamb shanks
Maple syrup brings its unique flavour as well as sweetness to these glazed lamb shanks. It’s important to use real maple syrup for this recipe rather than a maple syrup flavoured alternative.
Baked lamb shanks with orzo
You can replace orzo with risoni if you like. Orzo, like risoni, absorbs cooking liquid. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little extra water. If you make this dish in advance, you will need to add some water or stock when reheating. Note
Lamb shanks with vegetables
“Frenched” is when the shanks are trimmed of all excess fat and sinew. Both ends are often trimmed as well for presentation. It is not a necessary step. Note
Red curry lamb shanks
Spice up dinner tonight with these juicy and succulent red curry lamb shanks – full of delicious Asian inspired flavour, this dish is sure to become a family favourite!
Oven-braised lamb shanks
Relive the classic British Sunday roast with these tender lamb shanks. Gather the family for a warm winter feast that everyone will enjoy.
Lamb shanks bourguignon
Food referred to as “à la bourguignon” is food cooked in the style of the famous French wine region of Burgundy, and is instantly recognisable by its red wine sauce containing mushrooms, bacon and onions.
David’s lamb shanks
David’s favourite meat is lamb and his favourite cut of lamb is the shank. This slow-cooked stew is best cooked the day before and reheated gently. He’s a smart man, that Dave.
Lamb shanks in five-spice, tamarind and ginger
Star anise, cloves, cinnamon, sichuan pepper and fennel seeds are the spices that make these lamb shanks in five-spice with tamarind and ginger so fragrant.
Braised lamb shanks with mushroom risotto
If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. Covering the shanks with the cooked celery and leek is an easy way to keep the lamb hot and moist while you cook the […]
Lamb shank, fennel and vegetable soup
To freeze. Complete the recipe to end of step 2. Pack into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm (1 inch) space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) until heated through Note
Lamb shank & bean ragu
Lamb shanks that will fall off the bone and melt in your mouth with a flavour-packed bean ragu.
Lamb shank shepherd’s pie
Fight food waste in the tastiest way possible.
Lemon and ginger lamb shanks with broad beans
This mouth-watering dish uses preserved lemons, a prominent ingredient in North African cooking. The flavour is salty, unique and perfumed.
Lamb shanks and lentils
You could use lamb leg or shoulder, cut into chunks, instead of shanks. Note
Lamb shanks with lentils and pancetta
Succulent lamb shanks with hearty lentils and pancetta- a family favourite on a cold winter’s night.
Lamb shanks and eggplant stew
Nourish your family with this delicious lamb shank and eggplant stew.
Braised lamb shanks with tzatziki and tomato salad
Served with grilled pita bread, this beautiful slow-cooked lamb stew is just what you need on a cold day.
Moroccan lamb shanks
Shank you very much!
Lamb shank and pearl barley soup
Succulent lamb shank pieces combine with chunks of vegetables to make this spice infused soup.
Lamb shank and spinach korma curry
Tender buttery lamb in a rich korma curry.
