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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks

    Published: Jul 5, 2021 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    A lamb shank covered in a rich tomato gravy arranged on a bed of mash with broccoli in the background.

    Braised slow cooker lamb shanks in a rich red wine sauce are the ultimate winter comfort food. With mouthwatering tender meat that literally falls off the bone, this classic dish takes just 10 minutes to prepare and then the slow cooker/crock pot takes care of the rest!

    A lamb shank covered in a rich gravy and served on a bed of mash with broccoli.

    Slow cooker lamb shanks are among the most quintessential winter comfort meals you could imagine (along with chicken and noodle soup, chicken bacon and rice casserole, cheesy beef lasagne and creamy pesto chicken pasta, of course!!)

    For a twist on the traditional side dish of mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, try serving with crispy mashed potato cakes and soft and fluffy homemade bread rolls to dip into the luscious gravy and soak up all of the delicious sauce!

    A lamb shank covered in a rich tomato gravy arranged on a bed of mash with broccoli florets.

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    Lamb shanks cooked in a slow cooker are fall-off-the-bone tender, and the robust, flavoursome gravy guarantees clean plates and full bellies!

    • Quick and easy - your slow cooker takes over the cooking after very little preparation (just 10 minutes, in fact!)
    • Classic, old-fashioned recipe - there are no new or unfamiliar ingredients required (or for kids to adjust to), just good old-fashioned flavour that makes mealtime totally fuss-free.
    • Keep it simple - quick and easy side dishes are all you need to serve these lamb shanks with.
    A succulent piece of slow cooked lamb on the end of a fork in front of a dinner plate.

    What You Need

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients, quantities and full detailed method. 

    Meat and Vegetables

    • lamb shank - this cut of meat comes from the lower leg of the lamb. Slow cooked recipes are the best to use this cut in as it becomes so tender and juicy.
    • brown onion - the most common onions found in supermarkets in Australia, and available all year round. If you're in the US, use a yellow onion.
    • carrots - a budget friendly ingredient and always available.
    • celery - here in Australia, supermarkets usually sell full or halved bunches of celery, or even individual celery stalks. It is usually much cheaper to buy a whole bunch, and if you wrap the bunch in foil and keep it in the crisper drawer, it will stay fresh and crisp much longer!
    • minced garlic - store bought minced (or chopped) garlic is a great time-saver. If I am not using fresh garlic and mincing it myself in a garlic press for the best flavour, I happily use store-bought minced garlic.

    Pantry Items

    • plain flour - also known as all-purpose flour, this doesn't contain any raising agents, and its addition to soups and stews makes it a thickening agent.
    • olive oil - I recommend using Extra Virgin Olive Oil as it's high in natural antioxidants and healthy fats which are beneficial to health.
    • red wine - the best choice is a dry, medium-bodied red wine, like a Merlot. The alcohol cooks out in the recipe making it perfectly suitable for kids and adults alike, but adds so much to the flavour.
    • crushed tomatoes - these are a mixture of diced tomatoes and tomato purée or paste. You could easily substitute cans of diced tomatoes, however the texture and consistency is different, and you might find the chunks haven't broken down as much.
    • tomato paste - this is a thick, concentrated tomato sauce.
    • liquid chicken stock - if you make your own Thermomix chicken stock paste, you can make your own liquid stock. The ratio is 1 tablespoon of paste for every 500ml of water. You could also substitute with either a good quality, shop-bought liquid stock, or 1 teaspoon of chicken stock powder to every 1 cup of water.

    Herbs and Spices

    • salt & pepper - to season the flour with.
    • rosemary - sprigs of this aromatic herb add flavour to poultry and meat. If you are cutting the sprigs from your own homegrown plant, rinse and pat dry with a paper towel before adding them.
    • bay leaf - these are readily available from the herbs and spices section of your supermarket in dried form. They add a subtle flavour to soups and stews during cooking, but it is best to remove them before serving.
    Individual bowls and jugs with ingredients to make slow cooker lamb shanks.

    Step By Step Instructions

    With just a few steps of prep required, you will have dinner cooking in no time and the most delicious aroma in your kitchen all day long!

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients, quantities and full detailed method. 

    Step 1. Prepare The Lamb Shanks

    Toss the lamb shanks in seasoned flour, shake off any excess flour.

    Four raw lamb shanks covered in flour and seasoned with salt and pepper.

    Sear the lamb shanks until browned on the outside.

    Four lamb shanks being seared in a non stick pan on a stovetop.

    Place the lamb shanks into the slow cooker.

    An oval slow cooker pot with seared lamb shanks inside.

    Step 2. Prepare The Red Wine Sauce

    Sauté the minced garlic and diced carrot and celery in a pan.

    A non stick frying pan on a stove top with diced onion, carrot and celery and minced garlic.

    Add the rest of the ingredients to the sautéed vegetables and stir until heated through and combined.

    A non stick frying pan on a stove top with sautéed diced vegetables and a dollop of tomato paste added.
    A frying pan with a dark liquid with diced sautéed vegetables, a tomato based sauce, bay leafs and sprigs of rosemary.

    Step 3. Set The Slow Cooker

    Pour the sauce over the lamb shanks, and submerge them in the sauce as much as possible.

    An oval slow cooker pot with a rich red casserole sauce, with a sprig of rosemary and a visible lamb shank.

    Cook on "Low" for 8 hours in slow cooker.

    Serve with the red wine sauce poured over the top, with mashed potato and greens on the side.

    A lamb shank covered in a rich tomato gravy arranged on a bed of mashed potato with broccoli florets.

    Expert Tips and FAQ

    What can I substitute for the red wine to make this family-friendly?

    The alcohol cooks out, so this is perfectly safe and suitable for the whole family. It can be substituted for extra chicken stock if you prefer. It is recommended that you don't substitute the wine, as this gives the sauce a much richer, robust flavour.

    Why are the shanks dusted in seasoned flour?

    The seasoned flour (salt & pepper mixed in to flour) combines with the sauce as the meat cooks and acts as a thickening agent during the cooking process. The other option would be to mix it with water into a slurry, stir it through and allow it cook into the sauce until it thickens. Coating the shanks before searing is simpler and more flavourful as well.

    Do the shanks need to be seared before slow cooking?

    This step in slow cooker recipes is often dismissed as a waste of time, but I highly recommend taking that extra few minutes so the meat not only has a lovely caramelised colour once cooked, but you get the maximum flavour as well.

    Has the sauce in the pictures been thickened?

    When the lamb shanks are cooked, the sauce will be a thin sauce with chunks of vegetables throughout. To get a thicker sauce like in the pictures, you can purée it in a Thermomix or blender until smooth. Alternatively, if you would like a silky thin sauce without any vegetables, simply strain the sauce and discard the vegetables.

    A close up image of cooked lamb with mashed potatoes and a tomato based gravy.

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Pulled Pork - deliciously sweet and juicy slow cooker pulled pork that's perfect for burgers, tacos and salads.
    • Beef Stroganoff - a family favourite, slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe filled with tender beef in a creamy mushroom sauce. 
    • Apricot Chicken - a simple 4 ingredient Apricot Chicken family dinner that's fall-apart tender and completely finger licking!
    • Chilli Con Carne -  a healthy and family-friendly Chilli Con Carne made with beef, beans and tomato.

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    A close up image of a slow cooker lamb shank on mashed potato

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks

    Braised slow cooker lamb shanks in a rich red wine sauce. The ultimate winter comfort food.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Slow Cooker Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 serves
    Calories: 565kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 4 lamb shanks approximately 400g each
    • ½ cup (70 g) plain flour
    • salt and pepper
    • 3 tbs olive oil
    • 4 tsp minced garlic or 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 brown onion diced
    • 1 carrot large, diced
    • 3 celery stalks diced
    • 1 cup (250 ml) red wine
    • 800 g can crushed tomatoes
    • 3 tbs tomato paste
    • 2 cups (500 ml) liquid chicken stock
    • 3 sprigs rosemary
    • 2 dried bay leaves

    Instructions

    • Toss the lamb shanks in the flour and then shake off any excess. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Heat 2 tbs of olive oil in a large pot or pan over high heat. Add the lamb shanks and sear for 5 minutes, turning occasionally until brown on the outside.
    • Place the lamb shanks into the slow cooker and set aside.
    • Heat the remaining 1 tbs of olive oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, carrot and celery and cook for 5 minutes or until the onion has softened and is translucent.
    • Add the red wine, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock, rosemary and the bay leaves and heat to combine.
    • Pour over the lamb shanks in the slow cooker, trying to submerge them as much as possible.
    • Cook for 8 hours on LOW.
    • Serve the lamb shanks with the red wine sauce poured over the top with mashed potato and greens on the side (see notes regarding the sauce).

    Notes

    Recipe Notes and Tips
    Red Wine - The alcohol cooks out, so this is perfectly safe and suitable for the whole family. It can be substituted for extra chicken stock if you prefer. It is recommended that you don't substitute the wine, as this gives it a much richer, robust flavour.
    Flouring the lamb shanks - The seasoned flour combines with the sauce as the meat cooks and acts as a thickening agent during the cooking process. The other option would be to mix the flour with water into a slurry, stir it through and allow it cook into the sauce until it thickens. Coating the shanks before searing is simpler and more flavourful as well.
    Searing the lamb shanks - This step in slow cooker recipes is often dismissed as a waste of time, but I highly recommend taking that extra few minutes so the meat not only has a lovely caramelised colour once cooked, but you get the maximum flavour as well.
    Sauce - you can pour the sauce over the lamb shanks as is and it will be a thin sauce with chunks of vegetables throughout. Alternatively, you can purée the sauce in a Thermomix or blender until smooth and pour over the top (this is what I have done in the photos above). Or if you would like a silky thin sauce without any vegetables, simply strain the sauce and discard the vegetables. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 565kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 1482mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 3185IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 8mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jodie Morgan

      September 24, 2021 at 12:10 am

      5 stars
      Hi
      What could you replace the red wine with?
      Thank you.

      Reply
      • Lucy

        September 24, 2021 at 8:45 am

        5 stars
        Hi Jodie, I wouldn't recommend substituting the red wine as it gives the shanks their classic rich flavour (plus the alcohol cooks out so they are suitable for kids too). However, if you choose to replace it, use extra liquid stock instead (but please note that the flavour will be very different). Good luck!

        Reply
    2. Judith

      July 05, 2021 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious

      Reply
      • Lucy

        July 06, 2021 at 8:41 am

        I'm thrilled you liked them!

        Reply

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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

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