Description
This slow-cooked lamb shanks with herb gravy recipe is everything you want in a hearty comfort meal. Bone-in lamb shanks are seared and gently simmered in a rich, aromatic blend of red wine, beef stock, and fresh herbs until they become melt-in-your-mouth tender. Perfect for cozy nights, easy dinners, or impressing guests with rustic charm. This dish falls under easy dinner ideas, one-pot meals, and comfort food classics—ideal for those looking for hearty dinner ideas, food ideas with lamb, or just a satisfying slow cooker recipe.
Ingredients
2 to 3 lbs lamb shanks
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup red wine
2.5 cups beef stock
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1.5 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
2 tablespoons water (for slurry, optional)
Instructions
1. Pat lamb shanks dry and season with salt and pepper. Sear in olive oil until browned; set aside.
2. In the same pot, cook onion, carrots, and celery until softened. Add garlic and tomato paste; stir 2 minutes.
3. Pour in red wine to deglaze and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Return lamb to the pot. Add beef stock, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
5. Cover and cook on low heat for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until lamb is fall-off-the-bone tender.
6. Remove shanks. Skim fat and stir in cornstarch slurry (if using) to thicken the gravy.
7. Return shanks to pot and spoon gravy over before serving hot.
Notes
For maximum flavor, use bone-in, grass-fed lamb shanks and fresh herbs.
If you don’t have wine, sub with extra stock and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lamb shank with gravy
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: slow-cooked lamb, herb gravy, comfort food, dinner ideas, hearty meal