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Christmas Braised Lamb Shanks infused with herbs, beautifully plated for festive dining.

Christmas Braised Lamb Shanks with Herb Infusion

Indulge in tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks, slow-braised to perfection with a fragrant herb infusion, making it a show-stopping centerpiece for your Christmas feast.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4 shanks
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, European
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Lamb Shanks
  • 4 large Lamb Shanks
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
Aromatics & Liquids
  • 1 large Onion chopped
  • 2 medium Carrots chopped
  • 2 Celery Stalks chopped
  • 4 Garlic minced
  • 1 cup Red Wine dry
  • 4 cups Beef Broth
  • 14.5 oz can Crushed Tomatoes
  • 2 Bay Leaves
Herb Infusion
  • 3 sprigs Fresh Rosemary
  • 5 sprigs Fresh Thyme
  • 1 tbsp Orange Zest

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons
  • Skimmer

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Season the lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper, then brown them in olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until golden on all sides; set aside.
  2. In the same pot, sauté chopped onion, carrots, and celery until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Braising
  1. Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, and reduce by half.
  2. Stir in beef broth, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, and orange zest; bring to a simmer.
  3. Return the browned lamb shanks to the Dutch oven, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
  4. Cover the pot and braise in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the lamb is fork-tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
Finishing
  1. Carefully remove the lamb shanks from the pot and set them aside to rest.
  2. Skim any excess fat from the braising liquid, then simmer the sauce on the stovetop until it thickens to your desired consistency; adjust seasonings if necessary.
  3. Serve the lamb shanks hot, spooning the rich herb-infused sauce over them.

Notes

For best results, prepare this dish a day ahead; the flavors will meld and deepen overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven.