This Ina Garten lamb shank recipe is slow-braised in red wine with tomatoes, rosemary, and thyme until the meat is fall-apart tender. It’s a classic, hearty dinner perfect for holidays or special family meals, and takes about 3 hours and 10 mintues from start to finish.
Ina Garten Lamb Shank Ingredients
- 6 lamb shanks
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 onions, chopped
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (750ml) bottle dry red wine
- 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed chicken broth
- 1 (10.5 oz) can beef broth
- 5 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
How To Make Ina Garten Lamb Shank
- Season and brown the lamb: Season lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven and brown shanks for about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and garlic for 10 minutes until softened.
- Deglaze and add liquids: Add red wine, tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, beef broth, rosemary, and thyme. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the lamb: Return lamb shanks to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
- Uncover and finish cooking: Uncover and simmer for 20 minutes more to allow sauce to reduce slightly.
- Reduce sauce and serve: Remove shanks and boil sauce for 15 minutes to thicken. Spoon sauce over lamb to serve.

Recipe Tips
- Best wine to use: A dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot works beautifully.
- How to make ahead: Cook lamb shanks a day in advance; refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.
- Can I use beef shanks instead? Yes, beef shanks work with the same method but may need slightly longer cooking.
- Serving suggestion: Pair with mashed potatoes, polenta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
What To Serve With Lamb Shank
This braised lamb pairs perfectly with hearty sides:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles or polenta
- Roasted root vegetables
- Green beans with garlic
How To Store Lamb Shank
Refrigerate: Store cooled lamb and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Lamb Shank Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Protein: 40g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use lamb shoulder instead of shanks?
Yes, though cooking times may vary slightly; shoulder may cook faster.
Do I need to sear the lamb first?
Yes, browning adds deep flavor and helps develop a rich sauce.
Can I cook this in the oven instead of stovetop?
Yes, braise covered in a 325°F oven for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours until tender.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Meyer Lemon Marmalade
- Barefoot Contessa Mustard Roasted Potatoes
- Ina Garten Mushroom Farro Soup
Ina Garten Lamb Shank
Description
Tender lamb shanks braised in red wine, tomatoes, and fresh herbs — a cozy, flavorful dinner perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Season lamb with salt and pepper; brown in olive oil for 8 minutes, then remove.
- Sauté onions, carrots, and garlic in same pot for 10 minutes.
- Add wine, tomatoes, broths, rosemary, and thyme; stir.
- Return lamb, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover, and cook 2 hours.
- Uncover and simmer 20 minutes more. Remove lamb; boil sauce 15 minutes to reduce.
- Serve lamb topped with sauce.
