If you’re looking for a delicious and impressive dish to serve at your next gathering, this Greek-style braised lamb shanks recipe is a must-try. The tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb is packed with Mediterranean flavors that will leave your guests coming back for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- The rich and savory flavors of the lamb shanks paired with aromatic spices create a truly mouthwatering dish.
- Despite its gourmet appearance, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make, making it perfect for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home.
- This dish is ideal for meal prep as the flavors only get better as they meld together over time.
Ingredient Notes:
For the lamb shanks:
- Lamb shanks
- Olive oil
- Pearl onions
- Celery
- Garlic
- Red wine
- Dried oregano
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Ground allspice
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Pepper
- Bay leaves
- Chicken broth
- Tomato sauce
- Fresh parsley
For the mashed potatoes:
- Yukon gold potatoes
- Unsalted butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Whole milk
- Cream cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper, then sear them in a dutch oven.
- Cook onions, celery, and garlic until fragrant, then add spices and liquids.
- Simmer the lamb shanks in the oven until tender.
- Make mashed potatoes by boiling and mashing potatoes, then adding butter, salt, pepper, milk, and cream cheese.
- Serve the lamb shanks on a bed of mashed potatoes, garnished with parsley.
Helpful Tips:
- For a deeper flavor, marinate the lamb shanks overnight before cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the lamb is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Save any leftover braising liquid to use as a delicious sauce for pasta or rice dishes.
- Swap out the mashed potatoes for creamy polenta for a different twist on this dish.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Allow the lamb shanks to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Use a quality red wine for the best flavor in this recipe.
- Garnish with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil before serving to brighten up the dish.
Serving Suggestions:
This Greek-style braised lamb shanks recipe pairs perfectly with a side of Greek salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious braising liquid. For drinks, a bold red wine or a light, crisp white wine would be a great match.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the lamb shanks and mashed potatoes in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use lamb shoulder instead of lamb shanks? Yes, lamb shoulder can be used as a substitute for lamb shanks in this recipe.
- Can I freeze the braised lamb shanks? Yes, the braised lamb shanks can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- How can I make this recipe dairy-free? To make this recipe dairy-free, you can substitute the butter, milk, and cream cheese in the mashed potatoes with dairy-free alternatives.
Conclusion:
So, if you’re ready to impress your guests with a flavorful and comforting dish, give this Greek-style braised lamb shanks recipe a try. The combination of tender lamb and creamy mashed potatoes is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Don’t forget to share your feedback and enjoy every bite of this delicious meal!
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Greek-Style Braised Lamb Shanks Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Description
This Greek-style braised lamb shanks recipe is a flavorful and comforting dish that features tender lamb shanks cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce, served with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s perfect for a special dinner or gathering with family and friends.
Ingredients
For the lamb shanks:
- 4 lamb shanks (about 1600g total for 4 shanks)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 cup pearl onions, peeled
- 2 celery sticks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground all spice
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 28 oz jar or can or tomato sauce
- fresh parsley for garnish
For the mashed potatoes:
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 – 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup plain cream cheese
Instructions
- Season the lamb shanks: Season the lamb shanks well with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Heat oil and sear lamb: Heat the oil in a large dutch oven, sear the lamb shanks until browned, then set aside.
- Cook vegetables and spices: Cook onions, celery, garlic, and spices in the same pot.
- Deglaze and add liquids: Deglaze with wine, add chicken broth, tomato sauce, and return lamb shanks to the pot.
- Braise in the oven: Cover and bake in the oven at 350F for 1 1/2 hours, then uncover and cook for another 30-45 minutes.
- Make mashed potatoes: Cook potatoes, then mash with butter, salt, pepper, milk, and cream cheese.
- Serve: Serve the lamb shanks over mashed potatoes, garnish with parsley.
Notes
- A red wine like cabernet sauvignon or Greek red wine can be used.
- If not using wine, replace with an equal amount of chicken broth.
- Can serve the lamb shanks over rice or orzo instead of mashed potatoes.