Tender Fall-Off-The-Bone Lamb Shanks Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Succulent and hearty lamb shanks bring a rustic charm to dinner tables across many kitchens.

Slow-cooked meats promise deep, rich flavors that comfort and satisfy.

Mediterranean traditions inspire this classic dish with robust seasonings and tender preparation techniques.

Braising transforms tough cuts into meltingly soft centerpieces that impress everyone around the table.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the simplicity behind creating such a luxurious meal.

Wine and herbs provide magical depth, turning ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this soul-warming culinary experience.

Why Delia Smith Lamb Shanks Are So Tasty

• Embrace Slow-Cooking Magic: This lamb shanks recipe transforms tough meat into meltingly tender, rich goodness through patient braising that develops incredible depth of flavor.
• Master Gourmet Techniques Easily: With simple steps like searing, sautéing, and slow-baking, home cooks can create restaurant-quality dishes without complicated professional skills.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser Potential: Perfect for dinner parties, family gatherings, or cozy weekend meals, this dish impresses guests while being incredibly satisfying and comforting.
• Minimal Ingredient Complexity: Using basic pantry staples and straightforward cooking methods, anyone can create a sophisticated meal without hunting for rare or expensive ingredients.

Everything In Delia Smith Lamb Shanks

• Lamb Shanks: A tender and flavorful cut of meat perfect for slow braising with rich, deep flavors.

• Onion, Garlic: Provides a foundational flavor profile that enhances the overall depth of the dish.
• Carrot, Celery: Adds subtle sweetness and earthy undertones to the braising liquid.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates the umami and adds richness to the sauce.
• Tomatoes: Brings acidity and brightness to balance the rich lamb.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and depth to the braising liquid.
• Stock: Creates a flavorful base for the sauce and helps tenderize the meat.
• Thyme: Introduces a subtle herbal note that complements the lamb.
• Bay Leaf: Provides a gentle, aromatic background flavor.
• Cooking Oil: Used for searing the lamb and sautéing vegetables.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.

How You Cook Delia Smith Lamb Shanks

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 180C / 350F, creating the perfect warm environment for your lamb shanks to transform into a mouthwatering meal.

Step 2: Season and Sizzle the Lamb

Generously coat the lamb shanks with salt and pepper, then drop them into a searing hot pan with oil. Brown each side for about 5 minutes, creating a gorgeous golden crust. Transfer the shanks to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Build a Flavor Foundation

In the same pan, dance some chopped onions and minced garlic around until fragrant. Toss in diced carrots and celery, letting them soften and release their delicious essence for around 5 minutes.

Step 4: Create a Rich Sauce Base

• Tomato paste
• Crushed tomatoes
• Red wine
• Beef stock
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Bay leaves

Stir everything together, letting the ingredients mingle and create a robust sauce.

Step 5: Return Lamb to the Party

Gently nestle the browned lamb shanks back into the sauce, ensuring they’re comfortably surrounded by the flavorful liquid.

Step 6: Slow Braise in the Oven

Cover the pan and slide into the preheated oven. Let the lamb cook slowly for 2 hours, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender.

Step 7: Crisp the Exterior

Remove the cover and return to the oven for an additional 30 minutes, letting the lamb develop a slightly crispy exterior.

Step 8: Prepare the Final Sauce

Carefully remove the lamb shanks. Strain the sauce, pressing the vegetables to extract maximum flavor. If needed, simmer the sauce to reduce and intensify its taste.

Step 9: Season and Serve

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Spoon the rich sauce generously over the succulent lamb shanks, creating a truly irresistible dish.

Smart Tips For Delia Smith Lamb Shanks

• Sear for Maximum Flavor: Brown lamb shanks thoroughly to lock in rich, deep tastes and create a beautiful caramelized exterior before braising.
• Manage Liquid Levels: Check sauce during cooking to ensure it doesn't reduce too quickly, adding extra stock if needed to keep meat moist and tender.
• Choose Quality Wine: Select a dry red wine like cabernet or merlot to enhance the sauce's complexity and complement the lamb's robust flavor.
• Strain for Silky Sauce: Press vegetables through a strainer to extract maximum flavor and create a smooth, velvety sauce without chunky pieces.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow lamb shanks to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to help juices redistribute, ensuring each bite remains succulent and tender.

Ways To Switch Up Delia Smith Lamb Shanks

• Beef Shank Swap: Replace lamb with beef shanks for a robust, hearty alternative that follows the same cooking method and seasoning.
• Vegetarian Jackfruit Version: Substitute lamb with young jackfruit, using similar braising techniques and spices for a plant-based protein option.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Modify the herb profile by replacing thyme with rosemary and oregano, adding a more Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer entire recipe to a slow cooker, cooking on low for 6-8 hours instead of oven braising for convenience and tender results.

What Pairs Well With Delia Smith Lamb Shanks

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the rich, tender lamb shanks, matching the wine's intensity with the deep meat flavors.
• Match with Creamy Polenta: Create a smooth, velvety base that soaks up the delicious braising sauce, providing a luxurious texture contrast to the falling-apart lamb meat.
• Serve with Roasted Root Vegetables: Add glazed carrots, parsnips, and golden roasted sweet potatoes to echo the recipe's vegetable ingredients and bring earthy sweetness to the plate.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or fresh thyme over the dish to brighten the rich flavors and add a pop of color and fresh herbal notes.

How To Save Leftover Delia Smith Lamb Shanks

• Store leftover lamb shanks in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack cooled lamb shanks with sauce in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place lamb shanks in microwave-safe dish. Cover with lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between cycles until heated through.
• Transfer lamb shanks to oven-safe dish. Add splash of stock or water to prevent drying. Cover with foil. Warm at 160C/325F for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74C/165F.

Common Questions On Delia Smith Lamb Shanks

• What cut of meat works best for lamb shanks?

Choose meaty, well-marbled lamb shanks from the hind leg for maximum tenderness and rich flavor. They have more meat and connective tissue that breaks down beautifully during slow cooking.

• How can I ensure my lamb shanks are perfectly tender?

Low and slow cooking is the key. Braising at a consistent low temperature for several hours allows tough connective tissues to break down, creating melt-in-your-mouth meat that falls off the bone.

• Can I make this recipe without wine?

Yes, replace wine with additional beef or chicken stock. You can also use grape juice or beef broth with a splash of vinegar to maintain the depth of flavor and acidity that wine provides.

Lamb Shanks Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Mediterranean Lamb Shanks celebrate rich flavors of slow-cooked comfort, melding tender meat with aromatic herbs and robust spices. Served alongside creamy polenta or crusty bread, this dish invites you to savor a memorable culinary journey through rustic Mediterranean traditions.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 4 lamb shanks (13 ounces / 400 grams each)

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves

Liquid and Vegetable Ingredients:

• 23 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 2.5 cups red wine
• 800 grams crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken stock or water

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 180°C/350°F, preparing for a slow-braising technique.
2. Thoroughly coat lamb shanks with seasoning, then sear in sizzling oil until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes per batch, creating a rich caramelized exterior.
3. In the same pan, gently sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent, then incorporate diced carrots and celery, cooking for 5 minutes to develop deep flavors.
4. Introduce tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, red wine, beef stock, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves, stirring to blend ingredients harmoniously.
5. Carefully return seared lamb shanks to the liquid, arranging them to nestle comfortably in the aromatic sauce.
6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and transfer to preheated oven for 2 hours, allowing meat to become tender and infused with herb-rich sauce.
7. Remove lid and continue baking for additional 30 minutes to concentrate flavors and slightly reduce liquid.
8. Extract lamb shanks from braising liquid, then strain sauce through fine-mesh sieve, pressing vegetables to extract maximum flavor essence.
9. If needed, further reduce sauce on stovetop, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper to heighten taste profile.
10. Plate lamb shanks and generously drizzle reduced sauce over meat before serving.

Notes

• Experiment with red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to add depth and complexity to the sauce’s flavor profile.
• Choose high-quality, fresh lamb shanks with marbling for maximum tenderness and rich taste during slow cooking.
• Consider using fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley as alternative aromatics to enhance the dish’s fragrance and provide subtle flavor variations.
• Adapt the recipe for gluten-free diets by ensuring stock and tomato paste are certified gluten-free, maintaining the same delicious results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 847
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 59 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 39 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 53 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg