how to slow cook lamb shanks #2 (plus 8 super easy recipes) - Sarah Wilson (2024)

FAQs

Which cooking method is best for the shanks? ›

Braised or slow-cooked is best way to cook lamb shanks.

Because they are a tougher cut, the best way to cook lamb shanks is by braising or slow-cooking them in the oven until the meat is fork-tender and the marrow has melted into the rich sauce.

Lamb shank is a super-simple, cheaper cut that goes a long way. Taken from the lower part of the back legs, there is a lot of collagen in the shank, which, when cooked slowly, gives the meat a lovely soft, melting texture, making this another cut that's perfect for stews and slow-cooking.

Each slow cooker meal's cooking time differs depending on the meat and its weight. The low setting is important so you don't overcook it, potentially leaving you with a dry or tough meal.

Lower temp = more succulent meat – Tough cuts like lamb shoulder need slow-cooking to tenderise them. The lower the roasting temperature, the less total moisture evaporation and thus juicier meat.

There is no need to rinse raw lamb before cooking because this creates a cross-contamination hazard and is not necessary.

The shanks should be just tender enough to shred from the bone with a fork. If you like them to be more tender so that they fall right off, give them another half hour. If the shanks are all at 203°F (95°C) and tender, remove the pot from the oven.

Season your lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic, or even just a little salt and pepper. Sear the lamb shoulder in a hot pan to seal in the flavours if you wish, this is not compulsory however, slow cooking it as is works just as well.

It can be traditionally roasted but is best slow-roasted, pot-roasted or braised with liquid until practically falling apart. Shoulder can also be diced for stewing, or cut into shoulder chops. A pre-sliced roast is convenient, but it tends to dry out in the oven.

Cuts like the shoulder, shanks and forequarter are much more forgiving than a leg of lamb, and they can stay in the slow cooker for a couple more hours than the recommended cooking time. However, if you leave lamb in the slow cooker for too long it will become stringy and dry.

A general rule of thumb from Luis Sanchez, senior category manager for the appliance manufacturer Breville: To go from "High" to "Low" (or vice versa), multiply (or divide) the original time by 1.5 to 2.5 hours. And as with the cooking times for specific ingredients, these times are approximate.

Does meat in slow cooker need to be covered with liquid? ›

There is no need to cover the meat in liquid when cooking with a slow cooker, you only need enough liquid to cover the base of the slow cooker as the meat and vegetables will release liquid as they cook. Slow cooking beef is a simple and soothing winter option that never goes out of style.

The most popular way to cook them is up to when the meat is falling apart, but still holding onto the bone. However, you can cook shanks until the meat completely falls off the bone. Check your lamb shanks every half hour after the recommended cooking time until it reaches your desired tenderness.

Medium: About 25 minutes per pound or until internal temperature registers 135°F to 140°F. Well-Done: About 30 minutes per pound or until internal temperature registers 155°F to 165°F. Falling-Apart Tender Lamb: About 40 minutes per pound or until the internal temp registers 175°F. This can take about 6 hours or so.

Temperature is by far the most critical aspect of cooking lamb chops. Undercooking even tender lamb chops can render them unpleasantly chewy, while overcooking will lead to tough, dried-out meat. Rib chops should be cooked to about 130°F, while loin chops are better at 135°F or even 140°F.

The leg and rack of lamb are perfect for herb-crusting and oven-roasting; since the shank and shoulder are a bit tougher, they fare well in stews or braises—the long cook time allows them to significantly break down and become fork-tender.

Shank Cross-Cut | Lean. A cross-section of the leg, which is used extensively for movement. As a result, it is typically braised to make flavorful, fork-tender dishes such as Osso Buco.

Beef shank is best for slow-cooking methods like braising or stewing. Its rich flavor makes it perfect for osso buco or hearty soups and stews.

Stewing or braising the meat is the best way to achieve this as you can stop the meat from drying out with the liquid and the long cooking time on the low heat gives the meat enough opportunity to break down the toughness and become amazingly soft and tender.

However, beef shanks can become extremely tender, as in: eat-it-with-a-spoon-tender if it is cooked for a long time in moist heat (like simmering it all day in your crockpot). Therefore, braising or slow cooking beef shank is ideal.