Slow oven-braised lamb shanks easy recipe for a cosy meal

Oven-Roasted Lamb Shank Recipe: A Perfect Dish for Meat Lovers

Oven-roasted lamb shank is a sophisticated and flavorful french dish known as ” Souris d’agneau confites au four“, that will captivate any meat lover.

Slow-cooking the lamb in the oven until it becomes confit creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with deep, rich flavors that are simply irresistible.

This dish is ideal for special occasions such as Easter celebrations, Thanksgiving gathering, Christmas dinners, or even a cozy evening meal shared with friends. It’s the perfect way to indulge in a comforting and delicious culinary experience.

I rediscovered this recipe while going through my archives, reminiscing about the Christmas Eve dinner when I first prepared it. Time flies, and finding the old photos brought back wonderful memories.

Whenever I make these oven-roasted or slow oven-braised lamb shanks, I always prepare two versions: one with honey for a touch of sweetness and one without, as my husband prefers a less sweet flavor.

I often joke with him, “A confit lamb shank without honey? That’s not a proper confit!”

This recipe offers versatility and an unforgettable taste, whether you choose the classic sweet twist or the traditional savory route.

The ingredients we need for this Tender lamb shank confit

We don’t need much for this recipe, the most important thing is to have the best meat from your best butcher.

• 2 lamb shanks of the same size
• 6 to 7 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp honey
• thyme as needed
• rosemary as needed
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 150 ml vegetable stock, veal stock or just water
• salt
• black pepper

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

This recipe is straightforward but requires some time for preparation and slow cooking to achieve the perfect confit texture.

From start to finish, it takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes:

• 30 minutes for preparation (browning the meat and preparing the sauce).
• 2 hours of covered cooking in the oven.
• A few minutes of uncovered roasting to give the lamb a golden, caramelized finish.

How to do it ?

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 150°C (300°F).
2. Season the lamb: Generously season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper.
3. Brown the meat: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan or ovenproof casserole, on a dutch oven, over medium heat.
4. Sear the lamb shanks on all sides until golden brown.
5. Remove the shanks from the pan and set them aside.
6. Prepare the aromatic base: Add the unpeeled garlic cloves to the casserole.
7. Stir in butter, allowing it to melt, and add the rosemary and thyme sprigs.
8. Cook for a few minutes to release their aroma.
9. Prepare the sauce: Add honey (if using) and water or vegetable stock to the dutch oven.
10. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
11. Combine and cook: Return the browned lamb shanks to the dutch oven.
12. Cover with a lid and transfer the dish to the preheated oven.
13. Slow-cook the lamb: Cook for approximately 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
14. Turn the lamb shanks occasionally and baste them with the cooking juices to ensure even cooking.
15. Check the liquid levels and add more stock if needed to prevent the meat from drying out.
16. Caramelize the shanks: Once the lamb is tender, remove the lid from the dutch oven.
17. Roast the shanks uncovered for a few minutes to develop a golden, caramelized color.

FAQs About oven-braised Lamb Shanks

– How long does it take to cook lamb shanks in the oven?
Cooking lamb shanks takes about 2 hours at 150°C (300°F). The time may vary depending on the size of the shanks, your oven’s power, and the type of pan or casserole used. Check periodically to ensure the meat is tender and falls off the bone.

– Can I use other cuts of lamb?
While lamb shanks are ideal for this recipe, you can substitute with lamb shoulder or leg of lamb. Adjust cooking time according to the weight of the cut.

– Do lamb shanks need to be marinated?
Marination is optional. Slow cooking alone develops rich flavors and ensures tender meat. However, marinating for a few hours can add extra aroma if desired.

– What side dishes pair well with lamb shanks?
Great accompaniments include:

• Mashed potatoes
• Oven-roasted vegetables
• Sautéed green beans with garlic
• A fresh green or mixed salad
• A soup like : Roasted butternut Squash soup recipe.

– Can lamb shanks be prepared in advance?
Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated. Allow the cooked shanks to cool, refrigerate, and reheat in a tightly covered casserole at a low oven temperature. The flavors often improve when reheated.

Print Recipe

Oven-braised lamb shanks easy recipe

Oven-roasted lamb shank is a sophisticated and flavorful french dish known as ” Souris d’agneau confites au four“, that will captivate any meat lover. This dish is ideal for special occasions such as Easter celebrations, Thanksgiving gathering, Christmas dinners, or even a cozy evening meal shared with friends.

prep time15 minutes mins

cook time2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course: dinner

Cuisine: easy cuisine, french cuisine

Keyword: lamb shanks recipe

Servings: 2

Calories: 280kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lamb shanks of the same size
• 6 to 7 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp honey
• thyme as needed
• rosemary as needed
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 150 ml vegetable stock veal stock or just water
• salt
• black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 150°C (300°F).
• Season the lamb: Generously season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper.
• Brown the meat: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan or ovenproof casserole over medium heat.
• Sear the lamb shanks on all sides until golden brown.
• Remove the shanks from the pan and set them aside.
• Prepare the aromatic base: Add the unpeeled garlic cloves to the casserole.
• Stir in butter, allowing it to melt, and add the rosemary and thyme sprigs.
• Cook for a few minutes to release their aroma.
• Prepare the sauce: Add honey (if using) and water or vegetable stock to the casserole.
• Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
• Combine and cook: Return the browned lamb shanks to the casserole.
• Cover with a lid and transfer the dish to the preheated oven.
• Slow-cook the lamb: Cook for approximately 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
• Turn the lamb shanks occasionally and baste them with the cooking juices to ensure even cooking.
• Check the liquid levels and add more stock if needed to prevent the meat from drying out.
• Caramelize the shanks: Once the lamb is tender, remove the lid from the casserole.
• Roast the shanks uncovered for a few minutes to develop a golden, caramelized color.