Description
This Greek-Style Braised Lamb Shanks recipe offers a rich and savory dish with tender lamb shanks slowly cooked in a fragrant tomato and red wine sauce infused with traditional Mediterranean spices. Served with creamy mashed Yukon gold potatoes, it’s a comforting and elegant meal perfect for special occasions or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the lamb shanks:
- 4 lamb shanks (about 1600g total for 4 shanks)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cup pearl onions, peeled
- 2 celery sticks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, or Greek red wine recommended)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or ½ tsp ground cinnamon)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 28 oz jar or can of tomato sauce
- Fresh parsley for garnish
For the mashed potatoes:
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 – 1 ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup plain cream cheese
Instructions
- Season Lamb Shanks: Season the lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for the braising process.
- Sear Lamb Shanks: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the lamb shanks and sear them well on all sides until they develop a rich brown crust, about 8-10 minutes total.
- Set Lamb Shanks Aside: Remove the browned lamb shanks from the pot and place them on a plate or bowl, setting them aside for later.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the pearl onions and diced celery to the same pot and cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until they soften and start to brown.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, releasing its aroma.
- Add Spices: Mix in dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, ground allspice, cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon), kosher salt, black pepper, and bay leaves to the vegetables and stir to combine evenly.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add Broth and Tomato Sauce: Stir in the chicken broth and tomato sauce, combining all ingredients well.
- Braise the Lamb: Return the lamb shanks to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot with a lid, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 1 ½ hours covered.
- Continue Cooking Uncovered: After 1 ½ hours, remove the lid and continue cooking in the oven for an additional 30-45 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the liquid to reduce by about ¼ to ⅓. Check periodically and add more chicken broth if necessary. The lamb is done when it becomes tender and easily falls off the bone.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: With about 30 minutes remaining on the lamb cooking time, bring a large pot of water to boil and cook potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain and Rice Potatoes: Remove potatoes from heat, drain, and pass through a potato ricer into a bowl for a smooth texture.
- Mix Butter and Dairy: In the large pot over low heat, melt the butter, then add salt, pepper, whole milk, and cream cheese. Stir gently until fully combined and creamy. Turn off the heat.
- Combine Potatoes and Dairy Mixture: Add the riced potatoes to the butter mixture and gently stir to combine. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, butter, or milk to your desired creaminess. Keep warm covered on the stove.
- Serve: Plate the mashed potatoes and top with braised lamb shanks and spoon over some of the rich braising liquid. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Use a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, or a Greek red wine for best flavors.
- If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with an equal amount of chicken broth.
- Instead of mashed potatoes, braised lamb shanks can be served over rice or orzo for variation.
- For a similar Mediterranean-inspired dish, try the Easy Beef Stew in Tomato Sauce (Moshari Kokkinisto).
Keywords: braised lamb shanks, Greek lamb recipe, lamb shanks in tomato sauce, slow cooked lamb, Mediterranean lamb recipe, mashed potatoes side dish