Easy Beer-Braised Lamb Shanks Recipe

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 the lamb shanks generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add the lamb shanks and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, approximately 5 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pan and reduce the heat to medium.
3. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic to the pan. Season with a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften and release their juices, about 2 minutes. Incorporate tomato paste and stir to coat the vegetables evenly, around 1 minute. Pour in the beer and stir in fresh rosemary. Increase the heat to high and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
4. Return the lamb shanks to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer gently until the lamb is almost fork-tender, flipping the shanks after 1 hour, about 2 hours total. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature, for at least 30 minutes. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.
5. Remove any solidified fat from the surface of the sauce, if desired. Cover the pan and gently bring the lamb to a simmer over low heat. Flip the shanks and continue to simmer until the meat is easily pierced with a fork and nearly falling off the bone, about 45 minutes. Transfer the lamb shanks to a bowl to keep warm.
6. Increase the heat to high and bring the sauce to a rapid boil. Boil until the sauce has reduced by half, but not too thick, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Plate the lamb shanks and spoon the flavorful sauce generously over the top.

Nutrition

• Calories: 387 kcal
• Fat Content: 14 g
• Fiber Content: 4 g
• Sugar Content: 7 g
• Sodium Content: 1363 mg
• Protein Content: 30 g
• Cholesterol Content: 82 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 22 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g