Slow-Braised Jersey Lamb Shanks with Red Wine & Rosemary

A hearty and flavourful dish celebrating the best of Jersey's local produce. Tender Jersey lamb shanks are slow-braised in a rich red wine and rosemary sauce, creating a comforting and unforgettable meal. Served with creamy mashed Jersey Royal potatoes (when in season) or roasted root vegetables.

Prep Time

20 minutes

Total Time

3 hours 20 minutes

Calories

1118 kcal

Difficulty

Medium

Equipment

4 items

Cost

£10.00/serving

Meal Type:

Dinner

Cuisine:

Jersey

Main Ingredient:

Beef•Lamb

Cooking Style:

Slow Cooker•Roasting

Occasion:

Weekend Cooking

Dietary:

Gluten-Free•Dairy-Free

Mood:

Comfort Food•Light & Fresh•Hearty•Indulgent

Ingredients

Servings

4Jersey Lamb Shanks(Approximately 500g each)

£24.00

2tablespoonsOlive Oil(For browning)

£0.20

1largeOnion(Roughly chopped)

£0.40

2mediumCarrots(Peeled and chopped)

£0.30

2Celery Stalks(Chopped)

£0.40

4Garlic Cloves(Minced)

£0.25

2sprigsFresh Rosemary(Plus extra for garnish)

£0.50

750mlDry Red Wine(A full bottle, such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)

£7.00

500mlBeef Broth(Low sodium)

£1.20

2tablespoonsTomato Paste

£0.15

2Bay Leaves

£0.10

To tasteSea Salt(Jersey Sea Salt if available)

£0.05

To tasteBlack Pepper(Freshly ground)

£0.05

1kgJersey Royal Potatoes(For serving (optional, in season))

£4.00

50gJersey Butter(For mashed potatoes (optional))

£0.80

50mlJersey Cream(For mashed potatoes (optional))

£0.60

Total Cost

£40.00

£10.00 per serving

Instructions

1.
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
2.
Season the Jersey lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper.
3.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb shanks on all sides (about 3-4 minutes per side). Remove the shanks from the pot and set aside.
4.
Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
6.
Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
7.
Add the beef broth, rosemary sprigs, and bay leaves to the pot. Return the lamb shanks to the pot, making sure they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
8.
Bring the liquid to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.
9.
Braise for 3 hours, or until the lamb shanks are very tender and the meat is falling off the bone.
10.
While the lamb is braising, prepare the Jersey Royal potatoes (if using). Boil until tender, then drain and mash with Jersey butter and cream. Season with salt and pepper.
11.
Once the lamb shanks are cooked, remove them from the pot and set aside. Remove the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs from the sauce.
12.
If desired, skim any excess fat from the surface of the sauce. You can also thicken the sauce by simmering it on the stovetop over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, or by using a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water).
13.
Serve the Jersey lamb shanks over mashed Jersey Royal potatoes (or polenta, or roasted root vegetables), spooning the sauce generously over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (894g)

1118 kcal / 4678 kJ

Carbs

58g

22% of RDA

Fat

69g

99% of RDA

Protein

79g

158% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

8 g

27% of RDA

Sugar

14 g

16% of RDA

Sodium

271 mg

12% of RDA

Saturated Fat

32 g

160% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For even more flavour, marinate the lamb shanks in red wine, rosemary, and garlic overnight before cooking.

If you don't have a Dutch oven, you can use a large, oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid. Alternatively, you can braise the lamb shanks in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.

The braising liquid can be strained after cooking to create a smoother sauce.

This dish is even better the next day, as the flavours have more time to meld together.

Serve with a crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

If Jersey Royals are unavailable, use another variety of new potato or roast other root vegetables like parsnips and carrots alongside the lamb.

Cooking Equipment

Oven

Large Dutch Oven or Oven-Safe Pot

Stove

Potato Masher (optional)

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

Complete the Meal

Starter

Jersey Crab & Apple Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

A light and refreshing salad featuring fresh Jersey crab, crisp apples, and a tangy cider vinaigrette. Perfect as a starter to balance richer main courses like lamb shanks.

20 minutes

4 servings

Easy

"This light and refreshing salad offers a delicate counterpoint to the richness of the lamb shanks. The sweetness of the apple and the delicate crab complement the savoury depth of the lamb, while the cider vinaigrette provides a bright acidity that cuts through the richness, preparing the palate for the main course."

Dessert

Jersey Black Butter Apple Crumble with Crème Fraîche

A comforting apple crumble featuring the unique flavor of Jersey Black Butter, topped with a crisp oat crumble and served with cool crème fraîche.

45 minutes