Beer-Braised Lamb Shanks

by

Description

Lamb, a classic springtime meat, stars in this comforting dish that’s perfect for the chilly, dreary days between winter and spring. Garnish with sliced green onions. Breaking up the cooking time yields a superior texture and flavor but you can also cook the lamb all at once, simmering until fork-tender for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Ingredients

  • 2 lamb shanks
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided, or to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Season lamb shanks with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a deep-sided pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb and cook
  3. turning as needed
  4. until browned
  5. about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and reduce heat to medium.
  6. Place chopped onion
  7. carrot
  8. celery
  9. and garlic in the pan. Season with a large pinch of salt. Cook and stir until vegetable juices start to come out
  10. about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir to coat
  11. about 1 minute. Pour in beer and stir in rosemary. Raise heat to high and bring sauce mixture to a simmer.
  12. Toss lamb shanks in with the sauce mixture. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until lamb is nearly fork-tender
  13. flipping lamb after 1 hour
  14. about 2 hours. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature
  15. at least 30 minutes. Refrigerate
  16. 8 hours to overnight.
  17. Skim the fat off the top of the sauce
  18. if desired. Cover and bring lamb to a simmer over low heat. Flip and continue simmering until meat is fork-tender and nearly falling off the bone
  19. about 45 minutes. Place lamb shanks in a bowl to keep warm.
  20. Bring sauce to a boil over high heat. Boil until reduced by half but not too thick
  21. about 3 minutes. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Plate the lamb shanks and spoon sauce on top.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 3 hrs 10 mins

Total Time: 11 hrs 55 mins

Servings: 2

Leave a Comment