When the weather turns cold and comfort food cravings set in, there's nothing quite like a hearty and flavorful dish to warm the soul. Braised lamb shanks with leeks is one such dish that combines tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks with aromatic leeks and a rich, savory braising liquid. This classic recipe is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in, and its combination of simple ingredients and ease of preparation make it a favorite among home cooks.
Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS
Succulent braised lamb shanks slow cooked in a red wine, tomato, and fresh basil sauce. Serve with mushroom risotto and grilled zucchini.
Provided by Mrs Savage
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb Shanks
Time 3h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Place the onions in a layer in the bottom of a Dutch oven or medium roasting pan with a lid. Arrange the lamb shanks on top of the onions. Pour the wine, balsamic vinegar and olive oil over the lamb. Place a clove of pressed garlic next to each shank, and a quarter of a lemon on each side. Pour the tomatoes over everything, then season with salt, pepper and basil.
- Cover and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 3 hours. Use juices from the pan to make a nice flavorful gravy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 572.4 calories, Carbohydrate 34.4 g, Cholesterol 86.3 mg, Fat 25.2 g, Fiber 6.3 g, Protein 32.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 1851.3 mg, Sugar 17.9 g
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS
Anne Burrell's Braised Lamb Shanks recipe for Food Network is a hearty fan favorite.
Provided by Anne Burrell
Categories main-dish
Time 5h50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Coat a large Dutch oven generously with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Season the shanks generously with salt and add them to the pan. Brown well on all sides. This is an incredibly important step; do not rush it.
- Meanwhile, puree the onions, carrots, celery and garlic in a food processor until it becomes a coarse paste. Remove and set aside.
- Remove the shanks from the pan to a sheet tray. Discard the excess fat from the pan. Add a little more oil to coat the bottom of the pan and add the pureed veggies. Season with salt, to taste. Saute the veggies until they are very brown and aromatic, about 20 minutes. The brown veggies should form a sort of crust on the bottom of the pan, do not let this burn; it is where a lot of the flavor is! Don't rush this step either, since this is where you will develop the brown color and flavor.
- Add the tomato paste and brown for 5 minutes. Stir in the wine, chopped rosemary and thyme bundle. Stir frequently and cook until the wine has reduced by about half.
- Add the shanks back to the pot and pour in 3 to 4 cups of water. The shanks should be submersed, if they are not, add more water. Add the bay leaves to the pan, cover and put in the preheated oven. The cooking time will be about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Turn the shanks over about halfway through the cooking time. Check the shanks every 45 minutes or so. If the liquid has reduced too much add more water. Defat as you go.
- Remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking time for maximum browning. When the shanks are done the meat should be incredibly tender and flavorful. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with Gremolata. Serve with Hard Polenta Cakes, if desired,
- Call yourself a superstar!!!
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and set aside until ready to use.
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH LEEKS
Slowly simmering lamb shanks make them fork tender. The smells of rosemary and leeks make the house smell amazing. This is very easy, based on A Williams-Sonoma recipe. While shanks are called for you can make this with a whole or half leg of lamb, just increase the simmering time. I always serve this with garlic mashed potatoes and peas. MMmmmmmm.
Provided by Nancygirl
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 3h30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Wash leeks very well and slice crosswise, set aside. Leeks are full of grit and dirt so I wash them once they are sliced.
- Slice garlic cloved thinly.
- Trim lamb shanks of all fat and be sure to remove the "silverskin".
- Heat oil med-high in large dutch oven ( larger cuts can be done in a roaster pan and finished in the oven).
- When oil is hot but not smoking, brown meat very well on all sides, set aside.
- Turn pan down to med-low and add garlic and leeks, saute 10 minutes.
- Return shanks to pan, season with s+p and srinkle rosemary over all.
- Add wine and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and cover for 2 1/2 hours, turning once to season second side.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 748.8, Fat 43.6, SaturatedFat 15.1, Cholesterol 242.1, Sodium 178.7, Carbohydrate 2.8, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.6, Protein 71.3
FELIX'S BRAISED LAMB SHANKS
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Season the lamb shanks with salt, pepper thyme and rosemary. In a heavy metal roasting pan, brown the lamb shanks over medium heat in olive oil on stovetop. When shanks are half browned, add the onion, carrot, celery, potato, and garlic. Caramelize all the vegetables while stirring often until golden brown. Strain the fat from the vegetables and shanks. Dust pan with flour and cook it until everything is well coated in the flour. Add the chicken stock, white wine, and port wine. Place the pan, uncovered, in the oven for 2 hours.
- When shanks are cooked, remove them from the sauce. They should be tender, but not falling off bone. Puree the vegetables and sauce together and strain through a fine sieve. Taste for seasoning, and add balsamic vinegar..
- Serve the lamb shanks with the sauce. Mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts make a nice accompaniment to this dish.
SPRING LAMB SHANKS BRAISED IN WHITE WINE
I'm generally not a huge fan of lamb, but this is my exception. Ridiculously good, make only for company that deserves it. From "The New York Times Passover Cookbook"
Provided by Kishka
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 3h45m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat half the oil in a large, heavy, covered casserole or roasting pan, large enough to hold the lamb shanks. Add the lamb shanks, a few at a time, and brown them well on all sides over medium-high heat. Remove from the pan.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan, lower the heat and saute the onion, leeks and celery until they are soft and lightly browned. Stir in all but 1/2 tsp of the garlic, then add the wine. Simmer for a few minutes, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the rosemary, parsley sprigs and bay leaves. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then return the lamb to the pan. Cover and place in oven to bake until the lamb is very tender, about 3 hours.
- While the lamb is baking, mix the remaining 1/2 tsp garlic with the minced parsley and lemon peel and set aside.
- When the lamb is tender, remove it from the pan. Bring the liquid to simmer on top of the stove and taste it for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper, if necessary. Dissolve the potato starch in the cold water and stir it in to thicken the sauce, then stir in the lemon juice.
- Return the lamb to the pan and baste it with the sauce. Can be prepared in advance and reheated before serving. Transfer the lamb to a platter and spoon the sauce over it. Sprinkle with the minced parsley, garlic and lemon peel mixture and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 876.1, Fat 49.2, SaturatedFat 18.2, Cholesterol 306, Sodium 231.5, Carbohydrate 4.8, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 1.4, Protein 90.3
BASIC BRAISED LAMB SHANKS
A friend shared this recipe with me many years ago. My son-in-law loves these lamb shanks as part of a hearty meal with baked potatoes, a hot vegetable and fresh fruit salad. Of course, I include mint jelly on the side. -Jeanne McNamara, Camillus, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h40m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place lamb in a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Combine the broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and mustard; pour over meat. Cover and bake at 325° for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until the meat is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 451 calories, Fat 21g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 159mg cholesterol, Sodium 2419mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 48g protein.
ELEGANT BRAISED LAMB SHANK DINNER RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: lamb shanks, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, canola oil, medium carrots, medium white onion, celery, garlic, tomato paste, red wine, chicken stock, orange, lemon, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, bay leaves, brussels sprouts, red pearl onion, olive oil, yukon gold potato, white pepper, unsalted butter, sour cream, heavy cream, fresh parsley, lemon, flaky sea salt, garlic, fresh chives, horseradish, orange
Provided by Matthew Johnson
Categories Dinner
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 31
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the lamb shanks all over with salt and pepper.
- Heat the canola oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Sear 2 lamb shanks at a time until a dark brown crust forms on one side, 3-5 minutes. Sear the other sides of the meat until evenly browned. Remove the shanks from the pan and set aside. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.
- Add the minced carrots, onion, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables are deeply caramelized, 15-20 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook until it browns and is aromatic, 5 minutes.
- Add the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to release the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. Cook until the wine reduces by half and thickens slightly, 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock, orange juice, lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Return the lamb shanks to the Dutch oven, cover, and place in the oven for 2 hours, turning the shanks halfway through, until the lamb is tender and the braising liquid has thickened.
- About halfway through the lamb cooking time, add the oblique-cut carrots, Brussels sprouts, red pearl onions, and whole garlic cloves to a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast in the oven for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Right after the potatoes finish boiling, drain and transfer to a large bowl. Season with plenty of salt and a bit of white pepper, and mash the potatoes until as smooth as possible.
- Fold in the butter, sour cream, and heavy cream until smooth and light.
- Make the citrus gremolata: In a small bowl, combine the parsley, lemon zest, flaky salt, garlic, chives, horseradish, and orange zest.
- To serve, scoop mashed potatoes onto a plate. Add roasted vegetables and a lamb shank. Top with the braising liquid and citrus gremolata.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1362 calories, Carbohydrate 91 grams, Fat 78 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 76 grams, Sugar 17 grams
FRENCH ONION-BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH BARLEY AND GREENS
This warming stew starts with a mountain of lightly caramelized onions and leeks to combine the sweet-savory flavors of French onion soup with rich, red wine-braised lamb shanks. Onion soups can be delicious whether made with lightly caramelized onions or deep, dark, sweet onions, and achieving either is a simple matter of adjusting the cooking time on the onions. Barley and greens added toward the end of cooking make it a complete one-pot meal, though the stew would be equally delicious spooned over polenta or mashed potatoes. (If serving with potatoes or polenta, omit the barley and cook as directed.) Not into lamb (or can't find shanks)? Try the exact same recipe with beef short ribs or oxtail.
Provided by J. Kenji López-Alt
Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course
Time 4h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 275 degrees. Lightly season lamb with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat the oil in a 7- to 8-quart Dutch oven over medium-high until shimmering. Add the lamb shanks and cook, turning occasionally, until well-browned on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer the lamb to a rimmed baking sheet or large plate, and set aside.
- Add the onions, leeks and carrots to the Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium. Season lightly with salt and cook, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the Dutch oven with a wooden spoon, until the onions and leeks are as caramelized as you'd like, about 20 minutes for lightly caramelized onions that give the stew a more savory flavor, or 45 minutes or longer for deeply caramelized onions that will make the stew sweeter. If browned bits start building up on the bottom of the pot, add water a tablespoon at a time, scraping them up and reincorporating them before continuing.
- When the onions are ready, add the garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and stir until it evenly coats all of the vegetables. Add the wine, scrape the bottom and sides of the pot, and cook until the wine is reduced by at least half, a minute or two. Add the chicken stock and the rosemary. (Tie the rosemary into a bundle with kitchen twine if you want to make it easier on yourself later.)
- Return the lamb shanks to the pot. Increase heat to high, bring the pot to a simmer, and transfer to the oven. Place a lid on top, leaving it cracked by an inch or so. Cook for 2 1/2 hours, then remove from oven. Flip the lamb, and stir the barley and spinach into the broth, making sure it's all submerged. Return to the oven, cover with the lid cracked, and continue cooking until a metal skewer inserted into the lamb meets very little resistance, the meat falls off the bone with a little tug, and the barley is fully cooked but still chewy, 30 to 45 minutes longer.
- Transfer the pot to the stovetop, remove and discard the rosemary, and adjust the consistency to a saucy, stewlike mixture by simmering to thicken, or thin it out by adding water. Stirring as you go to prevent the bottom from sticking. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.
WINE-BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH HERBES DE PROVENCE
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy wide pot over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic; sauté until leeks soften, about 5 minutes. Transfer leek mixture to small bowl.
- Sprinkle lamb shanks with salt and pepper; dust with flour to coat. Heat remaining 4 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb and cook until brown, turning occasionally, about 12 minutes. Add leek mixture, wine, tomatoes with puree, mushrooms, herbes de Provence, and carrots. Stir to coat lamb with vegetable mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until lamb is very tender, turning twice, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to simmer until sauce reduces slightly, about 10 minutes longer. Spoon off fat from pan juices. Season lamb to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm, covered, over low heat before serving.)
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS
From El Sobrante, California, Billie Moss says of this satisfying one-pot meal, "The meat becomes so tender and savory after simmering with the vegetables and herbs."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h50m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large skillet, brown lamb in oil; remove and set aside. Add the onion and garlic; saute until tender. Stir in flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add bouillon and water; stir to dissolve. , Return lamb to pan. Add remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 599 calories, Fat 34g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 159mg cholesterol, Sodium 1568mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 47g protein.
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH LEEKS AND HARICOT BEANS
Users of The Kitchen Diaries may feel they recognize this recipe. Previously I have always made it with cubed lamb, but I recently tried it with lamb shanks and left it overnight before reheating it. The presence of the bone and fat and the good night's sleep have made such a difference that I thought it worth repeating here. You could make it a day or two in advance to good end.
Yield enough for 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Soak the beans overnight in cold water. The next day, drain them, put them into a deep saucepan, and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil, skim off the froth, add a bay leaf, and a drop or two of olive oil and simmer for about forty minutes. Turn off the heat and leave them in the water.
- Warm a glug of olive oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy pot. Season the lamb shanks all over with salt and black pepper, then lower them into the pot. They should sizzle when they hit the oil. Turn the meat from time to time until it has colored nicely on all sides (we are talking pale honey color rather than deep brown). Remove the meat from the pot and set aside on a plate to catch any escaping juices.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Cut the leeks into chunks roughly the length of a wine cork, wash them thoroughly, making sure no grit or sand is trapped in their many layers, then put them in the casserole together with the butter, keeping the heat low. Cover with a piece of wax paper or parchment paper, then cover with a lid (the paper will encourage them to cook in their own steam rather than brown). Cook them on the stove until they have started to soften, a good twenty minutes or so. You will need to give them an occasional stir.
- Remove and discard the paper. Peel and thinly slice the garlic and add it to the pot with the thyme and the remaining bay leaves. Sprinkle the flour over the top and continue cooking for three or four minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the stock or water, then drain the beans and add them too. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the shanks and any collected juices to the pan and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid and place in the oven for an hour and a half, or until the lamb is completely tender. Sometimes it takes two hours. You should be able to remove it from the bone with little effort (then again, it shouldn't actually be falling apart). Remove from the oven, stir in most of the lemon juice and zest, parsley, and mint, then scatter the rest.
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH PEPPERS
Hearty and aromatic, this braised lamb dish, adapted from my mother, Annette Gertner, takes inspiration from the Middle East by way of Eastern Europe. It simmers mostly unattended and even benefits from being made earlier in the day - or even a day or two in advance - and reheated. The four shanks yield four copious portions. (The recipe will serve six if every guest does not insist on having a bone.) Orzo alongside will sop up the sauce.
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories meat, main course
Time 3h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pat dry lamb shanks. In a heavy casserole or Dutch oven that will hold all the shanks, heat oil on medium-high. Add lamb shanks and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove to a platter. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add bell peppers and onions to the pan. Sauté, stirring, until the vegetables wilt and just begin to color, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic, dill seed, paprika and cinnamon. Stir. Add stock and wine. Bring to a simmer. Stir in tomato paste and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in lemon juice. Return lamb shanks to the pot along with any juices on the platter. Cover them with a piece of parchment or waxed paper, cover pot with lid, reduce heat to very low and cook about 2 hours, basting the shanks occasionally and turning them at least once until the meat is very tender when pierced with a knife.
- Remove shanks from the pot. Increase heat to medium and reduce sauce by about a third, about 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Return shanks to the pot, baste and reheat. Serve directly from the casserole or transfer to a serving dish. Strew with fresh dill before serving.
BEER-BRAISED LAMB SHANKS
Lamb, a classic springtime meat, stars in this comforting dish that's perfect for the chilly, dreary days between winter and spring. Garnish with sliced green onions. Breaking up the cooking time yields a superior texture and flavor but you can also cook the lamb all at once, simmering until fork-tender for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb Shanks
Time 11h55m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Season lamb shanks with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a deep-sided pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb and cook, turning as needed, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and reduce heat to medium.
- Place chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in the pan. Season with a large pinch of salt. Cook and stir until vegetable juices start to come out, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir to coat, about 1 minute. Pour in beer and stir in rosemary. Raise heat to high and bring sauce mixture to a simmer.
- Toss lamb shanks in with the sauce mixture. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until lamb is nearly fork-tender, flipping lamb after 1 hour, about 2 hours. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, at least 30 minutes. Refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
- Skim the fat off the top of the sauce, if desired. Cover and bring lamb to a simmer over low heat. Flip and continue simmering until meat is fork-tender and nearly falling off the bone, about 45 minutes. Place lamb shanks in a bowl to keep warm.
- Bring sauce to a boil over high heat. Boil until reduced by half but not too thick, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Plate the lamb shanks and spoon sauce on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 387 calories, Carbohydrate 22.4 g, Cholesterol 82.2 mg, Fat 14.4 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 1362.8 mg, Sugar 7 g
Tips:
- Choose high-quality lamb shanks: Look for shanks that are meaty and have a good amount of marbling. This will ensure that they are flavorful and tender after braising.
- Brown the shanks before braising: This step helps to develop flavor and color. Be sure to sear the shanks on all sides until they are golden brown.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This will add flavor and texture to the braising liquid. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and leeks.
- Add herbs and spices: These will help to enhance the flavor of the braised lamb shanks. Some good options include rosemary, thyme, oregano, cumin, and coriander.
- Braise the shanks for at least 2 hours: This will ensure that they are fall-off-the-bone tender. You can braise them in the oven or in a slow cooker.
- Serve the shanks with your favorite sides: Some good options include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice.
Conclusion:
Braised lamb shanks are a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. By following these tips, you can make sure that your braised lamb shanks turn out perfectly every time.
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