Chef John's Braised Lamb Shanks

Chef John's Braised Lamb Shanks
  • PREP TIME
    15 mins
  • COOK TIME
    2 hrs 10 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    2 hrs 25 mins
  • SERVING
    4 People
  • VIEWS
    37

Embark on a culinary journey with these Braised Lamb Shanks, a symphony of North African and Central American flavors. Tender lamb shanks, infused with a vibrant blend of spices and peppers, are braised to perfection and served over a bed of fluffy couscous. A truly unforgettable dish!

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    10 g
  • Cholesterol
    89 mg
  • Fiber
    2 g
  • Protein
    28 g
  • Saturated Fat
    5 g
  • Sodium
    82 mg
  • Sugar
    4 g
  • Fat
    15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Generously season lamb shanks with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

02

Step

Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add lamb shanks and brown on all sides, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer shanks to a plate and drain off all but 1 tablespoon of oil.

03

Step

Add onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt to the Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, chipotle chile powder, ancho chile powder, and ground cinnamon; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.

04

Step

Pour 0.5 cup chicken broth over the onion mixture. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Return lamb shanks to the Dutch oven. Cover and transfer to the preheated oven to cook for 90 minutes.

05

Step

Remove Dutch oven from the oven and place on stovetop. Stir in jalapeño peppers, bell pepper and remaining 0.25 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer. Return Dutch oven to the oven, uncovered, until lamb shanks are fork-tender, approximately 20 minutes.

06

Step

Transfer shanks to a serving plate. Place the Dutch oven back on the stovetop over high heat. Bring liquid to a rapid boil and cook, skimming off any foam, until the sauce has reduced and thickened, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro; season to taste with salt and black pepper. Spoon sauce generously over lamb shanks and serve immediately.

For a richer flavor, consider searing the lamb shanks a day ahead and letting them rest in the refrigerator overnight.
Adjust the amount of jalapeño peppers to your preferred spice level. Removing the seeds helps reduce the heat.
Serve over couscous, quinoa, or mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal.

Brett Schimmel

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.3/ 5 ( 12 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (7)
  • Lorine Sanford

    The recipe was easy to follow and the results were restaurant-quality. My family loved it!

  • Arlo Kuhn

    I was a bit hesitant about the combination of spices, but it turned out amazing! The perfect balance of heat and warmth.

  • Ephraim Gerhold

    I added a can of diced tomatoes to the sauce and it was a great addition. Highly recommend this recipe!

  • Lorna Hand

    Absolutely delicious! The lamb was so tender and the sauce was bursting with flavor. I'll definitely be making this again!

  • Jannie Windler

    The lamb was so tender, it practically fell off the bone. A truly comforting and delicious meal.

  • Adolf Bashiriandeckow

    This dish is a flavor bomb! I've never tasted lamb prepared this way, and it's now my new favorite recipe. Thank you!

  • Jarod Jenkins

    Next time I will add some carrots and celery for a more robust flavor.

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