Easter Lamb Shanks Recipe
When I think of traditional Easter recipes; lamb always comes to mind. For some reason (most likely my mother’s old Betty Crocker cookbook), I envision a vintage 1950’s table setting with a perfectly roasted leg of lamb, a side of bright green mint jelly and a jiggling aspic. This Easter lamb shanks recipe is a great way to feature lamb without a lot of fuss.
A leg of lamb can be daunting…and expensive (and not very practical for a small family). Lamb shanks are a much more affordable option for Easter. Whether you have a large gathering this Easter or a small one, lamb shanks are easy to cook and come out of the oven fork-tender and delicious. I often see lamb shanks on sale at my local grocery store for a few dollars apiece, but I scored these for only a few cents more from a local organic & grass-fed farm co-op.
If you want a fancy presentation, you can spend some extra time frenching the lamb shanks. This involves removing the meat and fat from the bottom of the shank; exposing the bone so when the shanks are cooked, they look like a big drumstick. I don’t bother, though. They look just fine like they are.
This Easter lamb shanks recipe only takes about 15 minutes to prep. It cooks in the oven for several hours and creates its own flavorful sauce full of carrots, celery, onion and herbs. I like to serve it with saffron rice but it will work equally well with mashed or roasted potatoes.
I have to mention (with some disbelief) that this is my first lamb recipe on Love and Duck Fat. This blog will be a year old in 5 months, so it’s about time. I cook with lamb fairly regularly so expect to see a few more before the big anniversary.
Happy Easter! -Marni
Easter Lamb Shanks Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lamb shanks
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped
- 4 large carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, (whole or minced)
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (plus sprigs for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes + juice
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
Method
Season lamb well with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet and add the olive oil. Sear lamb on medium-high heat until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Remove the lamb from the skillet.Add the onions to the skillet. Cook and stir, until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the lamb, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, tomatoes, broth and wine to the roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cover loosely with foil and cook at 350 degrees F/180 degrees C. for 3 hours, turning the meat once. Check during cooking to make sure there is enough liquid in the pan to ensure the shanks are halfway submerged. Add more water if needed.
To serve, remove shanks from the sauce. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and season the sauce with salt and pepper if necessary. You can use the sauce as-is (chunky) or puree with added broth to make a smoother consistency.
This reminds me of being a little girl. We used to go to my Nana’s house and she made lamb every year. Even though not one person other than her liked it LOL.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…Let’s Talk About Bums #LetsTalkBums
My Hubs loves lamb on the rod. I don’t know that he has ever tried Lamb Shanks baked like this. It looks very tasty.
Terry recently posted…Do You Choke On Your Own Slobbers? How About Choking On Water Or Food?
wow, that looks really delicious and rustic… beautiful photos!! tweeting!
Emily recently posted…20+ Free Sewing Patterns for Kids
Your photographs are mouthwatering! I’ve never prepared lamb before, always assuming it would be difficult. The recipe you’ve shared looks easy to follow.
Emily recently posted…Fresh Take for your Easter Meal: Italian Parmesan Cod {and cute printables}
My husband’s Parents love lamb. I should try to make this for them. Thanks for sharing!
Since husband loves lamb, I need to try this recipe.
http://xoxograndma.blogspot.com/
I love lamb! And this looks really tender and good!
the SAGA by Steinsdotter recently posted…The Interior Boho Dream
I don’t eat meat, but my husband would absolutely love to eat this
Natasha Mairs recently posted…Looking for that perfect Easter Gift?
Oh, this is a great recipe for Easter! The whole family should love this one, thank you!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…The Versatile Blogger Award!
Wow this looks so yummy! The pictures look good enough to eat. Marking this to save for a weekend.
I’ve never cooked lamb before, just so foreign to me. Guess I could try this recipe out!
Scott recently posted…Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Giveaway
My Grandma used to make lamb (if my memory serves correctly). Not sure how though.
valmg @ From Val’s Kitchen recently posted…G Garvin Returns To Tour Country For Best Southern-Inspired Dishes In New Season Of Road Trip
what a lovely Easter dinner idea. We usually have ham on Easter but would totally try this.
becca recently posted…Friday Confessional 4-11-14
We eat lamb from time to time, but we usually prepare it gyro style. This looks like a nice change!
Pam recently posted…How to Make Easter Candy Holders with Toilet Paper Rolls #LetsTalkBums, Shall We?
I bet they are really good but there is one thing I can never get myself to eat and that is Lamb. I will try the rest of the ingredients with another cut of meat and see how it does.
Jennifer Williams recently posted…Looking for a Little More Storage – Check out this Giveaway
Oh yum what a delicious sounding recipe – I think my other half would love this as well. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Adding Some Colour Whilst Renting
That looks awesome! Yum, I’ll bookmark this. My husband would like this for easter I think
Melanie recently posted…Slow Cooker Meatballs and Marinara Sauce
That looks delicious. Looks like quite a feast for Easter
Veronica recently posted…Design Your Life With Kleenex Style Studio
My late Grandmother who was Greek use to make a lot of lamb. I was always scared to try it because it looked so white, but I bet it was delicious.
What a lovely looking lamb shank. I haven’t had lamb before. Sounds like very yummy dish.
Mharms recently posted…Easy Pork Chop Recipe
I love that it only takes about 15 minutes to prepare and that it creates its own sauce. I will most surely have to try this one of these next Sundays for Sunday dinner.
Pam recently posted…Time to Come Clean! ~ Behind the Bathroom Door Secrets
I have never eaten lamb. But this looks like a really great recipe to try!
Erica recently posted…Spring Flash Sale This Weekend Only on Select Craftsy Classes!
I am not so sure about this, but it definitely looks interesting.
Amber NElson recently posted…Jon Bon Jovi, Selita Ebanks Help Raise Over $2 Million For Food Bank New York City
I don’t eat Lamb but I have family that does so I will share this with them!
What a great dish for Easter 🙂 My Aunt has a sheep farm and haven’t had lamb for Easter since we ventured to her house!
Dawn Kropp recently posted…Just in Time for Easter $250 Visa Gift Card Giveaway
This looks absolutely delicious! I love lamb and I always make it for Easter time. I do mine with honey, though.
Joanna Sormunen recently posted…Few more thoughts and questions on St. Teresa of Avila’s book “The Way of Perfection”
Yum! This dish look so good and when it comes to shanks, my goodness. It is good! 🙂 Thank you for sharing the recipe. I haven’t had any lamb meat for a long while now.
I know I am weird, but I cannot eat lamb, or veal…it just reminds me that these were little baby animals.
Denise Gabbard recently posted…Thank You, Thank You Very Much!
Yum all around!! I’ve never made lamb shanks! This looks like a something they would serve in a 5 star restaurant! Fancy!
Wow – that looks so tasty…and fancy! I don’t think I’ve ever had lamb shanks before.
Amanda H. recently posted…Fitness Friday: Workin’ It {Week 6}