Hairy Bikers Lamb Shanks Recipe
If you love hearty, rich and comforting meals, this Hairy Bikers Lamb Shanks Recipe is perfect for you. The lamb shanks are slow-cooked until tender, falling off the bone and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 lamb shanks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions sliced
- 4 carrots chopped
- 2 sticks celery chopped
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 400 g chopped tomatoes canned
- 500 ml beef or lamb stock
- 2 tablespoons tomato purée
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: 100ml red wine for extra richness
Instructions
Prepare the Lamb Shanks
- Pat the lamb shanks dry with kitchen paper. Season generously with salt and pepper for extra flavor.
Heat the Oil
- Heat olive oil in a large casserole or Dutch oven over medium heat. Make sure it is hot but not smoking.
Brown the Lamb Shanks
- Add lamb shanks to the hot oil. Brown all sides evenly for about 8–10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
- Add sliced onions, chopped carrots and celery to the pan. Cook gently until softened and fragrant.
Add Garlic and Tomato Purée
- Stir in crushed garlic and tomato purée. Cook for 1–2 minutes to release aromas.
Deglaze with Wine (Optional)
- If using, pour in red wine to deglaze the pan. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom for extra flavor.
Add Stock and Tomatoes
- Return the lamb shanks to the pan. Add chopped tomatoes and stock, ensuring the shanks are mostly covered.
Add Herbs and Seasoning
- Add thyme, rosemary, salt and black pepper. Stir gently to combine, but don’t break the meat.
Slow Cook
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) or on low stovetop heat for 2–2.5 hours.
Check and Serve
- Check if the lamb is tender. The meat should fall off the bone easily. Serve hot with mashed potatoes or crusty bread and spoon the sauce over.
Notes
- Use a heavy casserole for even cooking and better heat retention.
- Marinate lamb shanks in olive oil, garlic and herbs for a few hours for deeper flavor.
- Add root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for extra richness.
- For a thicker sauce, remove the lid in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
- Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, polenta or buttered noodles to soak up the sauce.