Best 4 Italian Lamb Shank Recipes

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When it comes to comfort food, few dishes are as satisfying as a slow-cooked Italian lamb shank. The succulent meat falls off the bone, and the rich, flavorful broth is perfect for spooning over rice or pasta. This classic dish is relatively easy to make, but it does require some time and patience. However, the results are well worth the wait.

Let's cook with our recipes!

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS



Braised Lamb Shanks image

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

3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 lamb shanks (each about 1 1/4 pounds; 1 shank is a portion)
4 cloves garlic
Kosher salt
1 (12-ounce) can tomato paste
1 large Spanish onion or 2 small yellow onions, cut into 1-inch dice
2 cups hearty red wine
2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary leaves
10 to 12 thyme branches tied together in a bundle
3 to 4 cups water
4 bay leaves
Gremolata, recipe follows
1 orange, zested
1 lemon, zested
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons freshly grated horseradish

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.

ITALIAN-STYLE LAMB SHANKS



Italian-Style Lamb Shanks image

Slow-braising on the stove-top with garlic, tomatoes, and onions give an Italian flair to lamb shanks. Great over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Provided by Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Categories     Entree

Time 2h

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 (about 2 pounds total) lamb shanks
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt (to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 large sweet onion (sliced)
1/2 cup red wine
1 head garlic (10 to 12 whole cloves, separated and peeled)
1 (28-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup water (or more - see instructions)
Garnish: parsley (chopped)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Rub lamb shanks with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a heavy Dutch oven . When hot, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil to coat the bottom. Sear the lamb shanks until browned and remove from the pot.
  • To the same pot, add a teaspoon of olive oil and the sliced sweet onions. Toss to coat with the pan drippings. Reduce heat and cover.
  • Sweat the onions until limp but not browned, stirring often.
  • When they are limp, add the wine and cook for two minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  • Add garlic cloves, tomatoes, and the water. Stir to combine.
  • Return the lamb shanks to the pot.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer, turning lamb shanks occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Add additional water if the sauce becomes too thick.
  • Serve braised lamb shanks with cooked pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes and sprinkle with parsley.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1386 kcal, Carbohydrate 28 g, Cholesterol 481 mg, Fiber 5 g, Protein 133 g, SaturatedFat 27 g, Sodium 617 mg, Sugar 13 g, Fat 75 g, ServingSize 2 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

ITALIAN STYLE LAMB SHANKS



Italian Style Lamb Shanks image

This is our favourite recipe for lamb shanks. Good enough for guests and just glorious on a cold, winter's night served with rice, cous cous or creamy mashed potatoes.

Provided by Kookaburra

Categories     Stew

Time 3h30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 red capsicum (red bell pepper)
1 yellow capsicum (yellow bell pepper)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil (extra)
4 lamb shanks, trimmed of excess fat
4 small onions, peeled and halved
8 cloves garlic, peeled,crushed and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons tomato paste (puree)
1 teaspoon beef stock powder (or 1 beef stock cube)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (45 g) packet French onion soup mix
1 cup red wine
1 cup hot water
1 (400 g) can peeled chopped tomatoes

Steps:

  • First, you need to roast the capsicums (bell peppers).
  • Preheat the oven to 200C (400F) or, alternatively, set grill (broiler) to high temperature.
  • Slice capsicums into quarters lengthwise and remove stem, seeds and membrane.
  • Coat well with olive oil and place into a roasting tin, skin side up.
  • Cook in a hot (200°C) oven or under a hot grill until the skin begins to blacken and bubble.
  • Remove and place capsicum pieces into a plastic bag.
  • Seal bag and set aside until capsicums are cool.
  • When cool, open bag and remove as much peel as possible from capsicums and set aside until needed.
  • *Ifthis sounds like too much trouble, you could substitute a bottle (210g approx) of roasted capsicums (drained).
  • TO PREPARE THE LAMB SHANKS: Preheat oven to moderate 180C (350F).
  • In a large jug, combine beef stock powder, garlic powder, soup mix, red wine, and hot water, mix well.
  • Add entire (undrained) contents of the can of peeled tomatoes to the jug, and set aside until needed.
  • Heat oil in a large frypan (preferably an ovenproof frypan) or in a dutch oven or similar.
  • Add lamb shanks, turn to cover well with oil, then cook on a high heat until brown all over.
  • Remove lamb shanks from the pan and set aside.
  • Reduce heat in pan, pour off all but 1 tablespoon of oil, and add onion, garlic, thyme and tomato paste.
  • Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant.
  • Now pour the contents of the jug into the pan and stir to mix well.
  • Add lamb shanks to the pan, turning to coat well with the sauce.
  • Increase heat and bring liquid to the boil.
  • When liquid is boiling, cover the pan and transfer it (if ovenproof) to the centre shelf of the pre-heated oven.
  • *Ifyour pan is not ovenproof, simply tip the shanks and their sauce into a suitable dish before transferring to the oven.
  • Cook shanks, covered, in the oven for 2 hours at 180C (350F).
  • After 2 hours, add the capsicums.
  • Cover and cook for a further 30 minutes.
  • Skim any excess fat from the top of the sauce before serving.
  • Before serving, add freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste.
  • Serve with steamed rice, cous cous, or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 894.4, Fat 47.6, SaturatedFat 15.7, Cholesterol 242.1, Sodium 1160.8, Carbohydrate 28.3, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 8.8, Protein 75.2

ITALIAN LAMB SHANKS (ZWT II)



Italian Lamb Shanks (Zwt II) image

Betty Crocker - 1 of life's little historical cooking pleasures we seem to have left behind now that the internet is but a keystroke away. I laid down to take a nap w/a 20 yr-old BC paperback in hand & went sound asleep. I awoke still holding the book & the pgs were turned to this recipe. Seemed like a ZWT II sign to me & I confess to updating a bit to better reflect modern cooking methods. Not a modern recipe for lamb, but I was having a nostalgic moment (Time to marinate is not included).

Provided by twissis

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time 2h30m

Yield 4 Shanks, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup Italian salad dressing
4 (12 ounce) lamb shanks
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
1/3 cup shortening (See Note)

Steps:

  • Trim lamb shanks of any excess fat. Place shanks in a sturdy plastic bag lrg enough to hold all 4 shanks & pour the Italian salad dressing over them. Refrigerate at least 5 hrs, occ rearranging the meat & marinade to get complete & equal coverage.
  • Remove lamb & reserve the marinade.
  • Mix 1/2 cup cheese, flour, parsley flakes, salt & onion salt. Coat lamb w/the cheese mixture & reserve any that remains.
  • Heat shortening in 12-inch skillet or dutch oven til melted. Cook lamb in hot shortening (turning occ) till browned on all sides. Drain all hot shortening from skillet (See Note).
  • Sprinkle any remaining cheese mixture over the lamb. Add reserved marinade to the pan & enough water for a slow simmer.
  • Bring the liquid to a boil, cover pan & reduce heat to simmer.
  • Cook till tender (about 2 1/2 hrs), turning occ & adding water to pan as needed. Serve w/additional grated Parmesan cheese on the side.
  • NOTE: While the recipe calls for the use of shortening, we all know it's rarely used now. Feel free to sub your oil of choice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1169.9, Fat 79.7, SaturatedFat 26.4, Cholesterol 317, Sodium 1676.2, Carbohydrate 12.8, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 5, Protein 95.7

Tips:

  • Sear the lamb shanks before braising: This will help to develop a rich, flavorful crust on the meat.
  • Use a variety of vegetables in your braising liquid: This will add flavor and complexity to the dish.
  • Cook the lamb shanks until they are fall-off-the-bone tender: This will take at least 2 hours, but it is worth the wait.
  • Serve the lamb shanks with a variety of sides: Some good options include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice.
  • Garnish the lamb shanks with fresh herbs before serving: This will add a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Italian lamb shanks are a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The lamb shanks are braised in a flavorful liquid until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. They are then served with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice. This dish is sure to impress your guests.

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