Mouthwatering Balsamic Lamb Shanks
This recipe for Mouthwatering Balsamic Lamb Shanks yields meat that effortlessly falls off the bone, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience. It’s a favourite I can’t resist, despite my love for experimenting with new flavours when cooking shanks.
Several years ago, nestled in Canberran suburban shops, was my family’s favourite little Italian restaurant. Their dishes were traditional Italian-style. Minimal and good quality ingredients for meals that packed a punch (in particular the lamb shanks).
The small restaurant housed basic decor. The owner chef offered a limited menu, yet it was usually hard to get a seat. This was somewhat to do with the quality and understated price of the food, but a huge part of it was the ‘Faulty Towers’ style service they provided. On a typical day the chef and an eccentric waiter would be running the restaurant. Yet they would always find time to chat with the diners.
Around 2012, to our dismay, the doors closed for the final time to our favourite. There are some other amazing Italian options near us, but we are yet to find one that offers all the good qualities and unique service of our favourite.
Since discovering this restaurant, Balsamic Lamb Shanks were consistently available on the menu. For good reason, they quickly became a family favourite!
Crafting my own Mouthwatering Balsamic Lamb Shanks recipe allowed me to infuse our home with the essence of our beloved Italian restaurant. Inspired by its flavours, I believe my version truly honours our memories of the restaurant.
Serving the Lamb Shanks
The Mouthwatering Balsamic Lamb Shanks are perfect served with greens and a creamy mashed potato. Try my Mashed Potato with Garlic & Thyme. Don’t forget to open a new bottle of red for the cooking of this dish, and also have a glass with the meal. 🙂
I’m sure my lamb shank recipe will bring some comfort to your home, as it always does to mine.
Buon Appetito!
Feedback & More
Did you try the Balsamic Lamb Shanks? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers, Elby!
If you liked this recipe, check out some of my other delicious Italian-style mains. Also, follow The Tasteful Pantry on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for all the latest recipes and info.
Mouthwatering Balsamic Lamb Shanks
Rich and luxurious lamb shanks with a glossy onion and balsamic sauce.
4
servings20
minutes3
hours520
kcal3
hours20
minutesStop your screen from going to sleep
Ingredients
4 lamb shanks, trimmed
1 tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp olive oil
2 red onions, sliced
400 ml balsamic vinegar
400 ml red wine
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 cup vegetable stock, salt-reduced (optional)
Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 190C | 170C fan forced. Place shanks and flour in a bag, seal and shake to coat.
- Heat oil in a large frying pan and add shanks and onion. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until browned as well as possible on all sides.
- Meanwhile, pour the vinegar and wine into a roasting pan, large enough to fit the shanks side-by-side. Add the salt and pepper.
- Gently place the browned lamb shanks into the wine mix and cover with onions. Cover well with foil and cook in pre-heated oven for 2.5 hours.
- Check the liquid in the pan at this point to make sure it has not evaporated. If necessary add the stock. Cover and return to oven.
- Cook for another hour and check the lamb with a fork. It should easily tear and pull away from the bone. If the lamb is not done to your liking, return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
- If you want to thicken the sauce further, set aside the shanks in a separate dish and cover with foil. Pour the sauce and onion into a small saucepan and simmer over low heat until the sauce has reduced to your liking. Serve immediately.
- Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a creamy mash and greens of your choice. Try my Mashed Potato with Garlic & Thyme!
Notes
- The calories in this dish are exaggerated and do not provide an accurate reflection of what the calories would be after the dish is cooked and the sauce reduced.
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