This slow cooker lamb shanks recipe makes for a perfect meal for any weeknight. It's also a wonderful dish to serve up during the holidays. The lamb meat is so tender, flavorful, and aromatic! It's absolutely delicious!
Today, you will learn how to cook lamb shanks in a slow cooker. This slow cooker lamb shank recipe requires minimal preparation. It uses aromatic spices that you can easily find in your pantry or local market.
If you’re a fan of lamb osso buco or other variations where the meat just falls off the bone, then read on! I think you are going to love this spiced lamb recipe.
Serve this slow cooker lamb shanks with white rice, roasted baby potatoes, or green beans almondine.
Lamb in Red Wine Sauce
Lamb shank is the portion of meat around the tibia of the animal, the leg bone beneath the knee and shoulder.
Lamb shanks have a nice look to them, they sell themselves. When cooked in a Crock-Pot the lamb is so moist and tender.
Slow Cooker Helps Tenderize Meat
When I’m at my busiest I always appreciate having my crockpot.
It’s kind of like having a second cook in the kitchen, one that is specialized in bringing out the juicy best flavor combinations of meats, veggies, and more.
Especially during the holidays, I am always pressed for time, especially when juggling four different dishes all with the same tight deadline.
With my Crock-Pot, I can get an early start on a dish by just adding the contents and letting it do its thing.
Prep time is a snap and I’m back to work on other stuff, or maybe take a break! In addition to free up time, I also gain back some space on the stove and in the oven.
The long, low-temperature cooking, slow cookers help tenderize lamb shanks.
How to Slow Cook Lamb Shanks in a CrockPot:
Step 1. Sweat the Onion
You need to use a skillet and gently cook the onion to soften its texture.
Sweating the onion increases its sweetness and gives it a milder taste by reducing the sulfur content. As a result, sweat onions bring a natural sweetness to dishes.
Step 2. Brown the Meat
Brown the lamb shanks in a skillet on medium-high heat to partially cook the surface of the meat to help remove excess fat, to give the meat a nice brown color crust and flavor.
This cooking process should take about 5 minutes.
Step. Slow Cook
Just dump all of the ingredients and cook on low heat for 7-9 hours.
The Best Seasoning for Lamb Shanks
Per usual the slow cooker brings together all of the flavors, and this unique recipe has some great ones from the saffron to the nutmeg, the cardamom to the turmeric, and of course some good old onions and tomatoes.
I think a key ingredient in this dish is cinnamon, which is especially fitting for a December holiday dinner.
In a prior post, I mentioned that I like to take some risks on Thanksgiving and break the norms a bit. If you aren’t in the mood for turkey then write your own Thanksgiving manual this year and try some lamb instead.
FAQ and Tips
Make sure that you remove the silverskin, the whitish membrane on the outside of the meat.
Any tough cut of meat should be cooked slowly or braised over low heat.
Properly stored, you can keep the leftover for 3-4 days in the fridge or 2-6 months in the freezer.
📖 Recipe
Easy Slow Cooked Lamb Shank Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lamb shanks
- 1 medium onion, (chopped)
- 2 whole tomatoes, (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¾ cup beef broth
- ¾ cup red wine
- ⅓ teaspoon saffron
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- salt and black pepper, (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon dried rose flowers, (optional)
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Cook the onions until they are translucent and soft but have not started to brown for about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sear the lamb on all sides for about 5 minutes (until nicely browned on all sides). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Place the remaining ingredients into the slow cooker. Stir until the meat is well coated and cook for 7-9 hours in low heat. Add salt/pepper if needed.
Making Our Life Matter says
I never made lamb on my own. This recipe looks amazing, and I think I may have to try it very soon! Thanks for sharing.
Garf says
This sounds good. I never had lamb but would like to try some.
Jennifer L Johnson says
I have never had ham before!! This looks so good, love that they are made in the slow cooker!!
Michele d says
I've never made lamb shanks before. I don't think that my family would eat it to be honest but it looks so yummy cooking in the crock pot.
Chubskulit Rose says
I have never tried cooking any kind of lamb dish. This looks super delicious!
Anosa says
I am using my slow cooker more and more these days and just used it for some lamb. This looks really delicious
Rachael says
Hi, you mention above that there’s wonderful flavours such as turmeric and cardamom but you don’t list cardamom in the recipe itself...should it be and if so, how much?
Making this recipe in two days and I can’t wait!!!
rika agustini says
Hi Rachael, Thanks for letting me know about this. Luckily I kept the recipe on my cooking journal.
I just reinserted the missing ingredients. I believe this error happened during transfering from my old recipe card to a new one.
Rachael says
Hi, thank you for your speedy reply! I was wondering if this can be done on high for a shorter amount of time?
rika agustini says
Yes on high about 3-4 hours. 🙂
David Gregg says
They were delicious and I will be making them again soon.
Rika says
Hi David,
Thanks for trying and taking the time to share your feedback. I am glad this recipe turned out delicious and you liked it 😉
Best,
Rika