Now that’s a hearty, comforting dish — perfect for cooler weather or when you need a soul-warming meal. Here’s a rich and flavorful recipe for a Lamb Shank Casserole that falls off the bone and builds deep flavor over time.
🍲 Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank Casserole
Serves 4 | Prep: 20 min | Cook: 2.5–3 hrs (oven or stovetop)
🥩 Ingredients:
Main:
- 4 lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp flour (optional – for thickening)
Liquids & Flavor:
- 1 cup red wine (or beef stock if avoiding alcohol)
- 2 cups beef or lamb stock
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 bay leaf
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, but adds depth)
🧑🍳 Instructions:
1. Sear the Shanks:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Pat lamb shanks dry and season with salt & pepper.
- In a large Dutch oven or casserole dish, heat oil over medium-high heat.
- Sear lamb shanks on all sides until browned (about 8–10 minutes total). Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the Veg:
- In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed.
- Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 more minute.
- Sprinkle in flour (if using), stir well to coat the vegetables.
3. Deglaze & Simmer:
- Pour in red wine. Scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pot.
- Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
4. Add Everything In:
- Return lamb shanks to the pot.
- Add chopped tomatoes, stock, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, bay leaf, and orange zest.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover tightly with a lid.
5. Slow Cook:
- Transfer to preheated oven and bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, turning shanks once halfway through.
- The lamb should be very tender and falling off the bone.
6. Finish & Serve:
- Remove lamb and keep warm.
- If sauce is too thin, reduce it on the stovetop over medium heat until thickened.
- Discard herb stems and bay leaf.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
- Creamy mashed potatoes or buttery polenta
- Crusty bread to mop up the sauce
- Roasted root vegetables or sautéed greens (like kale or spinach)
🔄 Variations:
- Add parsnips, swede, or mushrooms to the mix.
- Try a Moroccan twist with cinnamon, cumin, and dried apricots.
- Swap red wine for port or stout for a deeper flavor.