The Heartwarming Lamb Shank Recipe: Ina Garten’s Cozy Gem

Succulent lamb shanks have a way of stealing the spotlight at dinner tables, and Ina Garten’s lamb shank recipe promises pure culinary magic.

Rich, tender meat falls effortlessly from the bone with each gentle touch of a fork.

Her approach infuses classic Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable depth.

Slow-cooked to perfection, these lamb shanks unlock a world of comforting, rustic elegance that speaks directly to the soul.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, creating anticipation for a meal that promises to be unforgettable.

Hearty and sophisticated, this recipe turns an ordinary evening into a gourmet experience that celebrates the art of cooking.

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this mouthwatering dish that turns simple ingredients into a masterpiece.

How to Save Ina Garten’s Lamb Shank After Cooking

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover lamb shanks in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Package cooled lamb shanks in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. These hearty dishes can last up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated lamb shanks in a covered oven-safe dish at 325°F, adding a splash of broth to restore moisture. Microwave in short intervals as a quick alternative, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Maximize Flavor Potential: Consume refrigerated lamb shanks within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture. Separate sauce from meat during storage to keep both components fresh and prevent soggy meat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Total Time: 3 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients That Go Into Ina Garten’s Lamb Shank

• Lamb Shanks: Rich, flavorful cut that becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked, choosing grass-fed shanks ensures deeper meat flavor and more nutritious results.

• Carrots, Onions, Garlic: Classic vegetable trio that builds deep, sweet foundational flavor, selecting fresh and firm produce maximizes taste complexity.
• Rosemary, Thyme: Herbaceous Mediterranean seasonings that complement lamb's rich profile, using fresh herbs delivers more vibrant and intense aromatics.

• Wine: Adds sophisticated depth and helps tenderize meat, selecting a dry red wine like Cabernet or Merlot creates robust sauce complexity.
• Tomatoes: Provides tangy acidity and rich color, choosing ripe, whole canned tomatoes ensures consistent sauce texture.
• Chicken Broth, Beef Broth: Layered liquid base that intensifies overall meat flavor, selecting low-sodium versions allows better seasoning control.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning elements that amplify natural meat and vegetable flavors, using freshly ground black pepper elevates overall dish quality.

Essentials for Cooking Ina Garten Lamb Shank

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for browning and braising lamb shanks.
• Sharp chef's knife: Perfect for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or tongs: Great for turning and moving meat during cooking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Platter: Used for serving the finished lamb shanks.
• Aluminum foil: Helps keep the meat warm while finishing the sauce.

Steps to Prepare Ina Garten’s Lamb Shank

• Meat Preparation

Select high-quality lamb shanks and season generously with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor absorption.

• Initial Browning

Use a heavy-bottomed pot to sear the lamb shanks until they develop a rich, golden-brown exterior, creating a delicious crust that locks in juiciness.

• Vegetable Foundation

Create a flavor base by caramelizing aromatic vegetables like carrots, onions, and garlic, which will add depth and complexity to the final dish.

• Liquid Magic

Introduce a harmonious blend of wine, tomatoes, and broths, transforming the pot into a flavorful braising liquid that will tenderize the meat.

• Slow Cooking

Submerge the browned shanks in the liquid, allowing them to simmer gently for approximately two hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender and starts to fall off the bone.

• Sauce Refinement

Remove the lid during the final cooking stage to concentrate the sauce’s flavors, creating a rich and luxurious accompaniment to the lamb.

• Serving Elegance

Plate the succulent lamb shanks and generously drizzle the thickened, intensely flavored sauce over the top, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Flavor Upgrades for Ina Garten’s Lamb Shank Recipe

• Replace lamb shanks with beef shanks or veal for a different protein experience that maintains the rich, hearty flavor profile of the original recipe.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like oregano, marjoram, or sage to add unique depth and personal touch to the braising liquid, creating a signature taste.
• Substitute red wine with dry white wine or even non-alcoholic grape juice to adjust the sauce's complexity while keeping the moisture and richness intact.
• Toss in root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes during the last hour of cooking to transform the dish into a complete one-pot meal with added nutrition and texture.
• Prepare the lamb shanks a day in advance and reheat slowly in the sauce, which allows flavors to meld and intensify, making the dish even more delicious and convenient for entertaining.

Serve Ina Garten Lamb Shank Like a Pro

• Savor the Perfect Plate Pairing: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a silky, luxurious base that soaks up the rich, savory sauce from the lamb shanks.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or fresh rosemary on top to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the dish's visual appeal and flavor profile.
• Wine Companion Selection: Pair with a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, which complements the deep, hearty flavors of the braised lamb shanks.
• Create a Complete Meal: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts to balance the protein and add nutritional variety to the plate.

Hearty Ina Garten Lamb Shank Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s lamb shank recipe brings Mediterranean comfort to dinner tables with rich, slow-braised meat that melts off the bone. Hearty herbs and red wine create depth, while home cooks can easily master this elegant dish that transports palates to rustic Italian kitchens.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 lamb shanks
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine
• 1 (28 oz / 794 g) can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
• 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) can condensed chicken broth
• 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) can beef broth
• 3 large carrots, cut into ¼ inch rounds
• 2 onions, chopped
• 10 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 teaspoons (25 ml) chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) chopped fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Seasoning: Thoroughly coat lamb shanks with kosher salt and black pepper, ensuring complete and even coverage.
2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, browning lamb shanks to create a rich golden crust on all sides, developing deep flavor complexity.
3. Aromatic Base: Lower heat and sauté carrots, onions, and garlic until vegetables become translucent and caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness.
4. Liquid Infusion: Deglaze pot with red wine, scraping bottom to incorporate browned bits, then add crushed tomatoes, chicken and beef stocks, rosemary, and thyme to create a robust braising liquid.
5. Slow Cooking: Return lamb shanks to the liquid, ensuring they’re mostly submerged, then simmer covered on low heat for approximately 2 hours until meat becomes fork-tender and begins to separate from the bone.
6. Sauce Reduction: Uncover pot and continue simmering to concentrate flavors, allowing sauce to thicken and develop an intense, glossy consistency.
7. Plating: Transfer lamb shanks to serving platter, drape with reduced sauce, and garnish with fresh herbs for an elegant presentation ready to be served immediately.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, fresh lamb shanks with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor depth.
• Perfect Browning Technique: Ensure lamb shanks are thoroughly dried before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in juices and develops complex flavors.
• Wine Choice Impact: Select a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to enhance the sauce’s depth and complement the lamb’s rich meat profile.
• Simmering Secrets: Low and slow cooking is crucial for transforming tough lamb shanks into meltingly tender meat that falls off the bone with minimal effort.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg