Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (2024)

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Published: by Nicky Corbishley

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Fall-apart lamb, cooked long and slow in the slow cooker. It's all served up with a beautiful rich gravy, made with wine, stock and red current jelly (and yes, I've got a swap for the wine if you don't want to use it).
A truly comforting Autumn dinner.

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (1)
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  • 📋 Ingredients
  • 📺 Watch how to make it
  • 🍽️ What to serve it with
  • 🍲 More fantastic lamb recipes
  • Slow Cooker Lamb Shank Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

The slow cooker is out, and it's working hard to produce the most tender meaty dinners, and filling up the house with all of those rich, mouth-watering aromas.

I'm excited to share this one you, because:

  1. It's so simple to prepare - a bit of up-front prep, then the crockpot does all the work
  2. It looks and tastes fancy - with fall off the bone tender meat and that rich red wine sauce.
  3. This lamb shank slow cooker recipe is from my book 'It's all about Dinner' - which has been out for over a year now!

📋 Ingredients

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (2)

📺 Watch how to make it

Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    👩‍🍳PRO TIP Make sure the liquid is simmering when you add the cornflour (cornstarch for USA) and water mixture. It needs to be very hot for the gravy to thicken. If your slow-cooker can't get it that hot, transfer the liquid to a pan and bring to a simmer before adding the cornflour mixture in.

    I LOVE a good gravy, and this one is so rich and tasty. Also, there's no skimping on the amount of gravy served with these slow cooked lamb shanks.

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (3)

    🍽️ What to serve it with

    • Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes
    • Or if you prefer a crispy potato option, go with sautéed potatoes, smashed potatoes or crunchy roast potatoes (my air fryer chips are always a hit too).
    • Green vegetables - such as green beans, asparagus or broccoli
    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (4)

    🍲 More fantastic lamb recipes

    • Crispy Lamb Salad
    • Slow Roast Shoulder of Welsh Lamb with Vegetables and Cider Gravy (One Pot!)
    • Lamb Bhuna
    • Lamb Kofta Recipe
    • Traditional Lancashire Hotpot
    • Easy Shepherd's Pie

    Stay updated with new recipes!
    Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (11)

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shank Recipe

    By: Nicky Corbishley

    Cooking lamb shanks for 7 or 8 hours in the slow cooker results in beautiful fall-apart meat. We’re cooking them with stock, red wine and redcurrant jelly for a fantastic rich sauce.

    5 from 6 votes

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    Course Dinner

    Cuisine British

    Servings 4

    Calories 430 kcal

    Ingredients

    Lamb shanks:

    • 2 tbsp oil oil
    • 4 lamb shanks
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • 1 large onion - peeled and finely chopped
    • 2 carrots - peeled and chopped into small chunks
    • 3 cloves garlic - peeled and minced
    • 240 ml (1 cup) red wine
    • 640 ml (2 ¾ cups) lamb stock
    • ½ tsp dried thyme
    • 2 tbsp tomato puree - tomato paste in US
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 2 tbsp red current jelly

    To thicken the sauce:

    • 2 tbsp cornflour mixed with 5 tbsp cold water to form a slurry - cornstarch in US

    To Serve:

    • mashed potatoes
    • green vegetables - such as asparagus and green beans
    • a few sprigs of fresh thyme

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Heat the oil in a large frying pan (skillet) over a high heat.

      2 tbsp oil oil

    • Season the lamb shanks all over with the salt and pepper, then place in the pan and brown on all sides. This should take about 10 minutes.

      4 lamb shanks, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper

    • Remove from the pan and place the lamb in the slow cooker.

    • Add the onion and carrot to the frying pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened. Then add the garlic and cook for a further minute, whilst stirring.

      1 large onion, 2 carrots, 3 cloves garlic

    • Add the red wine, stock, thyme, tomato puree, sugar, and bay leaves to the frying pan.

      240 ml (1 cup) red wine, 640 ml (2 ¾ cups) lamb stock, ½ tsp dried thyme, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 1 tsp sugar, 2 bay leaves

    • Bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat and pour the sauce over the lamb shanks in the slow cooker.

    • Place the lid on and cook on low for 7-8 hours, until the lamb is very tender.

    • Once cooked, remove the lamb shanks from the slow cooker. Remove and discard the bay leaves, and stir the redcurrant jelly into the sauce.

      2 tbsp red current jelly

    • To thicken the sauce, slowly pour in the cornflour slurry, whilst stirring with a whisk, until thickened to your liking.

      Note: the liquid needs to be simmering hot to thicken, so if your slow cooker can't bring the liquid to a rolling simmer, then transfer the liquid to a pan and heat on the hob/burner. Stir in the cornflour slurry whilst simmering.

      2 tbsp cornflour mixed with 5 tbsp cold water to form a slurry

    • I like to serve my lamb shanks on top of mashed potato, with some green vegetables.

      mashed potatoes, green vegetables

    • Pour the sauce over the lamb shanks, sprinkle on the fresh thyme and serve.

      a few sprigs of fresh thyme

    Video

    ✎ Notes

    Oven cooking

    You can cook in the oven if you wish. Instead of transferring to the slow cooker, transfer to a large casserole pan. Place a lid on and cook in the oven at 180C/350F for 3-3 ½ hours. Check in the last hour of cooking and add an extra splash of stock if needed.

    Can I make it ahead?

    Yes. Once cooked, cool quickly in the cooking liquid (do this before adding the cornflour slurry), then cover and refrigerate.
    Reheat in a pan (with the cooking liquid) with a lid in the oven at 160C/320F for 30-40 minutes, until piping hot throughout. Reheating in the liquid will help keep the meat moist. You may need to add a little more stock to ensure you have enough to make gravy once the meat has heated through.
    Once hot, remove the lamb shanks and stir the cornflour slurry into the liquid to make the gravy.

    Can I freeze it?

    Yes. Leftovers can be cooledquickly with any leftover gravy, covered and frozen. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, thenreheat in a pan with a lid in the oven at 160C/320F for 30-40 minutes, until piping hot throughout. You may need to add a splash of hot water or stock so the gravy doesn't dry out.

    What can I replace the wine with?

    Simply replace with the same amount of stock plus a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar.

    Leftovers

    Use leftovers to make:

    • Crispy lamb salad - by saving any shreds of lamb.
    • Alternatively, use the shredded lamb and gravy to make a rich ragu. Heat up the shredded meat and gravy in a pan with a tablespoon of tomato paste, a tin of chopped tomatoes and a half teaspoon of chilli flakes to make a quick ragu, then stir it throughcooked pastaand top with parmesan.

    Nutritional information is approximate, per serving (this recipe serves 4).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 43gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 690mgPotassium: 709mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 5147IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 4mg

    Keywords lamb shank, slow cooker, winter food

    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (12)

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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    1. Sally Bonnell says

      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (17)
      Amazing flavour and the best lamb shank recipe I've done which beats many! The sauce is packed full of deliciousness you can't help trying it more than you need to. I cooked in my slow cooker on 'low' setting and it was so easy. Before serving I actually take the lamb shanks out and take off the bone so any sinew can also be removed.
      Give it a go as its soooooooooo amazing and easy.

      Reply

    2. Sally Bonnell says

      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (18)
      Amazing flavour and the best lamb shank recipe I've done which beats many!

      Reply

    3. W. Baikie says

      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (19)
      Honestly, if you purchased something like this in a restaurant, you would be willing to spend a fortune. I used the oven method and the results were fabulous. The lamb was tender and fell off the bone. The gravy, and the suggested mashed potatoes and asparagus complemented the lamb perfectly. This recipe isn't something you could have every day, but for a special occasion or an indulgence it was awesome. This recipe is a keeper!

      Reply

    4. Bob Macdonald says

      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (20)
      i love your roast lamb shank with gravy and mashed potatoes excellent

      Reply

    5. Rubab says

      Hello, I can't find red current jelly. Can I swap it with something g else?

      Reply

    6. Derek Foster says

      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (21)
      An excellent recipe for making a very versatile meal, especially if it’s made to freeze and use again. My local (English menu) bistro serves it regularly with dauphinois potatoes.

      Reply

    7. Mimi says

      Hello..what can I use instead of red currant jelly. Thank you

      Reply

    8. Gloria says

      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (22)
      Made this yesterday. It was absolutely fantastic. Thank you!

      Reply

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    Which cooking method is best for the shanks? ›

    Lamb shanks are an ideal protein for braising, a combination-cooking method that starts with pan-searing followed by slow cooking in a liquid—usually in a Dutch oven or a slow cooker. Braising is the best way to prepare lamb shanks, which can turn stringy when cooked too quickly.

    Do you need to brown lamb before slow cooking? ›

    If you have an extra 10 minutes, it's often worth browning the meat before slow cooking it. Browning or searing the meat in a hot pan caramelises its surface, which can give the final dish a richer, deeper flavour and colour. The high temperatures also help to render the fat on the surface of your lamb.

    Is lamb better in slow cooker or oven? ›

    The lamb in the slow-cooker was juicier than that from the oven, but lacked the oven lamb's exterior crispy bits (we love crispy bits). The solution was to take the vegetables and lamb from the slow cooker and run them under the broiler to crisp things up a bit. We'd eat either version again in a heartbeat.

    Should lamb shanks be covered in liquid? ›

    No, lamb shanks don't have to be completely covered in liquid, but they also can't be dry roasted. In a slow cooker, the steam trapped inside from any added liquids will be enough to cook the shanks.

    Should you wash lamb shanks before cooking? ›

    There is no need to rinse raw lamb before cooking because this creates a cross-contamination hazard and is not necessary.

    Why is my lamb tough in the slow cooker? ›

    Slow-cooking lamb requires patience. While cooking, resist the urge to keep checking on the lamb and refrain from opening the oven or slow cooker. Opening the lid or foil too often will lower the temperature and extend the cooking time, making the meat less juicy and tender.

    Does lamb need to be submerged in slow cooker? ›

    It doesn't matter if it is covered or not. The inside of the slow cooker will be warm enough to cook the meat. Braising (not submerged) and simmering (submerged) are two methods which both can lead to good results. The "very chewy" result sounds like choosing the wrong type of meat for slow cooking.

    Does lamb need to be fully submerged in slow cooker? ›

    Lamb leg is lean, so to slow cook it's best to partially submerge in a flavoured liquid which keeps the flesh moist plus infuses with flavour. I'm using garlic and rosemary in this recipe – classic lamb flavours!

    What stock to use with lamb? ›

    Lamb is quite a strong flavour, so can withstand plenty of flavourings. Most recipes use chicken or vegetable stock, as lamb stock can be too strong for this quantity.

    Can you leave lamb in slow cooker too long? ›

    How long can you leave lamb in a slow cooker? It takes a long time to overcook most lamb cuts in the slow cooker. Cuts like the shoulder, shanks and forequarter are much more forgiving than a leg of lamb, and they can stay in the slow cooker for a couple more hours than the recommended cooking time.

    How does Gordon Ramsay cook lamb? ›

    And when you have a gorgeous cut, like a rack of lamb, you can cook it the good ol' Gordon Ramsay way—which is to say, lightly pan-sear it first, then baste it with an herby, garlicky butter, and finally finish it off in the oven until it's still pink and juicy in the middle. It comes out perfectly every time.

    Why is my lamb shank chewy? ›

    Don't worry about overcooking lamb shanks.

    But undercooked lamb shanks are tough and chewy – not fun to eat! The meat should fall off the bone at the touch of your fork, so budget the time to get to that point.

    What to pair with lamb shanks? ›

    What to Serve with Lamb Shanks (43 Sides & More)
    • Produce. • 1 Apple, Crisp. • 1 Au gratin potatoes. ...
    • Canned Goods. • 1 Potato soup. • 1 Vegetable soup.
    • Pasta & Grains. • 1 Potato gnocchi.
    • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Apple pie. ...
    • Snacks. • 1 Brownies. ...
    • Frozen. • 1 Barley risotto. ...
    • Desserts. • 1 Baked alaska. ...
    • Deli. • 1 Lemon rosemary potato salad.

    Is it OK for lamb shank to be pink? ›

    Cooking tips for lamb

    Always bring meat to room temperature before cooking to allow perfectly cooked meat throughout. You can serve lamb a little bit pink and when cooked the meat should always look moist and juicy, and a little rare if you like but never bloody.

    Which method is most commonly used for beef shanks? ›

    Since beef shanks are naturally a tough piece of meat, there are limits to what you can do with it. They MUST be simmered in moist heat for a long period time in order to be tender and delicious. For that reason, they are commonly found in slow cooker and soup recipes.

    Which cooking method would you use to cook a shank cross cut? ›

    Shank Cross-Cut | Lean. A cross-section of the leg, which is used extensively for movement. As a result, it is typically braised to make flavorful, fork-tender dishes such as Osso Buco.

    Which cooking method is best for fore shank of beef? ›

    Beef shank is best for slow-cooking methods like braising or stewing. Its rich flavor makes it perfect for osso buco or hearty soups and stews.

    What cooking method is most appropriate for preparing the shank of a large animal? ›

    Stewing or braising the meat is the best way to achieve this as you can stop the meat from drying out with the liquid and the long cooking time on the low heat gives the meat enough opportunity to break down the toughness and become amazingly soft and tender.

    References

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