Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks: Tender, Flavorful, and Easy Recipe
Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks are the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in. The lamb becomes incredibly tender as it cooks slowly, allowing all the flavors to blend beautifully. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a rich and hearty dish that feels gourmet. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the work for you. First, you’ll season and sear the lamb to lock in all the delicious flavors. Then, you'll let it simmer for hours in a savory broth with aromatic herbs and vegetables. As a result, the meat practically falls off the bone, making it perfect to serve over mashed potatoes or with crusty bread. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress. And, with minimal prep, it's a stress-free way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.
What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- Incredibly easy to prepare – Minimal prep work with maximum flavor.
- Tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb – Slow cooking makes the meat incredibly tender.
- Rich, flavorful sauce – A combination of herbs, garlic, and broth creates a delicious sauce.
- Restaurant-quality results – Feels gourmet without the effort.
- Versatile pairings – Serve with mashed potatoes, polenta, or a fresh salad.
- Perfect for any occasion – Great for family dinners or special gatherings.
Key Ingredients
- Lamb shanks: The star of the dish, slow-cooked to perfection.
- Garlic: Adds depth and a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Onions: Enhances the savory base and balances the richness.
- Carrots: Adds sweetness and texture to the dish.
- Red wine or broth: Creates a flavorful braising liquid for the lamb.
- Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves for an earthy, aromatic touch.
- Tomato paste: Adds a rich umami flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Olive oil: Used for searing the lamb before slow cooking.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
Chefs Helpful Tips
- Sear the lamb shanks first: Browning the lamb before adding it to the slow cooker locks in flavor and enhances the overall richness of the dish.
- Use fresh herbs: While dried herbs work, fresh rosemary and thyme add a brighter, more aromatic flavor.
- Don’t skip the deglazing: After searing the lamb, deglaze the pan with red wine or broth to capture all those flavorful browned bits.
- Cook low and slow: For the best texture, cook the lamb shanks on low heat for several hours until the meat falls off the bone.
- Thicken the sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid in the last hour of cooking or reduce the sauce on the stovetop after removing the lamb.
- Serve with something to soak up the sauce: Pair the lamb shanks with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to enjoy the rich sauce fully.
- Strain the sauce: For a smoother, more refined sauce, strain out the vegetables and herbs before serving.
Recipes You'll Enjoy...
Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks are the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in. The lamb becomes incredibly tender as it cooks slowly, allowing all the flavors to blend beautifully. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a rich and hearty dish that feels gourmet. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the work for you. First, you’ll season and sear the lamb to lock in all the delicious flavors. Then, you'll let it simmer for hours in a savory broth with aromatic herbs and vegetables. As a result, the meat practically falls off the bone, making it perfect to serve over mashed potatoes or with crusty bread. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress. And, with minimal prep, it's a stress-free way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.
- 4 lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 4 large garlic (cloves)
- 2 large carrots (chopped)
- 1 cup red wine (or beef broth)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Sear the lamb
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper. Sear each shank for about 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Sauté the vegetables
In the same skillet, add chopped onions and carrots. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker.
- Deglaze the pan
Pour red wine (or broth) into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then pour the mixture over the lamb shanks in the slow cooker.
- Add remaining ingredients
Add the beef broth, tomato paste, fresh rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir everything gently to combine.
- Slow cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours, or until the lamb shanks are tender and the meat is falling off the bone.
- Rest
Once done, remove the lamb shanks from the slow cooker and let them rest for about 10 minutes.
- Serve
Serve the lamb shanks with the sauce from the slow cooker over mashed potatoes, polenta, or with crusty bread.
- Optional
For a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid in the last hour of cooking or transfer the sauce to a pan and reduce it on the stovetop.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 480kcal
- Calories from Fat 220kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 24g37%
- Saturated Fat 9g45%
- Cholesterol 145mg49%
- Sodium 680mg29%
- Potassium 880mg26%
- Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 48g96%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.