Slow-Cooked, Tender Lamb Shanks Recipe (using a crockpot)
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks: A Rich, Tender Dish for a Crowd
Feeling the chill of winter? Warm up with this hearty lamb shanks recipe, perfect for impressing friends or family. This slow-cooked delight, cooked to tender perfection in a slow cooker, is as easy as it is delicious. Plus, there's room for you to play with your favorite flavors.
- Yield: 6 Hearty Portions
- Difficulty: Easy-Peasy
- Total Time: 8 Hours (including cooking time)
- Active Time: 1 Hour
Ingredients You'll Need
- 6 Generous Lamb Shanks
- 3 to 4 Cups Beef Stock
- 3 Tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2 to 3 Cups Red Wine
- 2 Large Bay Leaves
- A Palmnful of Dried Rosemary, Oregano, and Thyme
- 1 Medium Onion, Diced
- 3 Celery Stalks, Sliced
- 2 Medium Carrots, Diced
- Vegetable Oil
- Flour for Dredging
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Enrichment Data:
Slow-cooked lamb shanks are a delightful dish, offering a rich and tender meat that melts in your mouth. Here's an overview of this recipe's elements:
#1. The Stars of the Show: Lamb Shanks
Choose 6 lamb shanks, totaling about 3 pounds. These flavorful cuts will transform into succulent morsels after slow cooking.
#2. Flavorful Broth
Craft a vibrant broth using 3-4 cups beef stock, 2-3 cups red wine, 2 large bay leaves, and a pinch of dried herbs: rosemary, oregano, and thyme.
#3. Aromatic Vegetables
Onion, celery, and carrots add depth to the dish, enhancing the lamb's flavor and creating a delectable sauce.
#4. Seasoning
Season the lamb with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to boost its taste.
Let's Get Cooking!
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Follow the age-old rule: measure, chop, and prepare everything you'll need in advance.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Add the lamb shanks, the broth mixture, bay leaves, and dried herbs to the slow cooker. Seal it with the lid.
- Slow Cook: Let the slow cooker work its magic! Cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours. Once it's on and covered, no peeking!
- Sauce Time: Take the shanks out of the slow cooker and set them aside. Save the juicy liquid within! Time to make a sauce.
- Sauté the Veggies: Heat a sauce pot over medium heat, then sauté diced onion, carrot, and celery for about 15 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the Liquid Gold: Pour the slow cooker liquid into the sauce pot. Stir in tomato paste. Bring to a simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: Prepare a roux with 1 cup flour and vegetable oil. Mix until it resembles toothpaste. Whisk this roux into the sauce until it reaches your desired thickness. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Combine: Bring your lamb shanks and the rich, tempting sauce together. Serve with your favorite side dish, such as creamy mashed potatoes, pearled barley or spätzle.
Wine Paring: Any bold red wine, such as Shiraz or Merlot, would be a fantastic companion for this winter delight. Enjoy!
- The lamb shanks, once cooked to perfection in the slow cooker, provide a tender and rich flavor that contributes to the dish's overall nutrition.
- To enrich the dish's flavor even further, consider attempting a tomato-based braising liquid, substituting a portion of the red wine with tomato paste.
- Through the experimentation of various ingredients, such as additional spices or herbs, you can customize this slow-cooked lamb shanks recipe to suit your personal preferences in terms of nutrition and taste.