Instant Pot Lamb Shanks

These delicious Instant Pot Lamb Shanks are a Greek classic but prepared much faster with a Pressure Cooker (also with oven instructions too). Fall Apart Lamb Shanks with herbs and spices in a Tomato Base, generously spooned over Mashed Potatoes, topped with Olives and Feta Cheese. A delicious comfort food perfect for any occasion!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fall Off The Bone - this is the only way to make tender Greek Lamb Shanks, fall off the bone and delicious!
• Faster- Instant Pot significant reduces cooking time from traditional methods and infuses the Greek flavors in the meat
• Budget Friendly Meat That's Fancy - Lamb Shanks are cheaper than other cuts, however when cooked and served like this, it's a gourmet meal!

Ingredients

• Lamb Shanks - you'll need 4 for this recipe
• Olive Oil
• Beef Broth
• White Wine - can substitute with Red Wine
• Vegetables - Onions, Carrots, Celery
• Canned Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato Paste
• Aromatics - Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Bay Leaf, Fennel Seeds, Garlic
• Lemon
• Salt and Pepper
• Feta and Kalamata Olives - as garnish and flavor
• Mashed Potatoes or Polenta

How to Make Instant Pot Lamb Shanks

1. Prepare Lamb Shank - pat dry with paper towel and season with Salt and Pepper.
2. Sear - set Instant Pot to Saute and add Olive Oil. Once hot, sear the Lamb Shanks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
3. Sauté - in the same Oil, add Onions, Carrots and Celery and cook for 5 minutes. Add Garlic and Tomato Paste and stir for another minute.
4. De-Glaze - pour White Wine into vegetables and de-glaze. Use wooden spoon to scrape any brown bits from bottom of pot.
5. Combine - stir in Canned Tomatoes, Beef Broth, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Bay Leaf and Fennel Seeds. Place Lamb Shanks into the sauce and arrange snugly, making sure they are surrounded by sauce. *Shanks should be covered about ¾ with sauce, add more water or broth if needed.
6. Pressure Cook - close lid and set to SEALING. Press Manual or Pressure Cook and set timer for 40 minutes. Once done, allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes (then carefully manually release remaining pressure).
7. Prepare Base - while cooking, prepare Mashed Potatoes or Polenta as a base to serve alongside your Lamb Shanks.
8. Prepare Sauce - carefully remove Lamb Shanks and set aside. Place juice of ½ a lemon plus ½ a lemon sliced into the sauce. Select Sauté and simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce thickens. 
9. Serve and Garnish - serve Lamb Shanks with Mashed Potatoes and Polenta with a generous serving of Sauce. Garnish with Greek Feta and Black Greek Olives.

How to Cook Lamb Shanks in Oven

1. Preheat - set oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Sear - heat large Dutch Oven with oil and sear the Lamb Shanks in for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
3. Sauté - add Onions, Carrots and Celery and cook for 5 minutes. Mix Garlic and Tomato Paste and stir for another minute. Deglaze with White Wine.
4. Combine - stir in Canned Tomatoes, Beef Broth, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Bay Leaf and Fennel Seeds. Place Lamb Shanks into the sauce and arrange snugly, making sure they are surrounded by sauce.
5. Cover and Cook - cover with lid and bake for 2½-3 hours, turning shanks halfway through, until they are tender and soft.
6. Prepare Sauce - carefully remove Lamb Shanks, set aside and cover with foil. Place juice of ½ a lemon plus ½ a lemon sliced into the sauce. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce thickens. 
7. Serve and Garnish - serve Lamb Shanks with Mashed Potatoes and Polenta with a generous serving of Sauce. Garnish with Greek Feta and Greek Black Olives.

Lamb Shank Variations

• More Vegetables - add Zucchini, Mushrooms, Eggplant or Bell Peppers to make the sauce heartier
• Herb and Spice Twist - add a teaspoon of Cumin and Cinnamon or add Fresh Basil - so flexible, make it your own
• Creamy Sauce - add Heavy Cream or Greek Yogurt to the sauce before serving
• Moroccan Style - substitute Rosemary and Oregano with Turmeric, Ground Coriander, Cumin and Cinnamon. Add Roasted Chickpeas when serving

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Don't Skip the Searing - this adds extra savory roasted flavor to the dish
• Use White Wine - this is ideal for cooking with Lamb as it won't overpower the herbs and spices in the sauce (like Red Wine can). Cook with white wine, drink with red wine.
• Skip the Alcohol - deglaze with a bit of Pomegranate Juice, Grape Juice or Beef Broth to scrape the burnt bits from the bottom of the pot
• Don't Overcrowd When Searing - depending on size of Shanks, you might need to cook in batches
• Thicken Sauce with Starch - thicken the sauce by making a Cornstarch Slurry - 1 tablespoon Cornstarch with 1 tablespoon Water - mix and simmer for 1 minute until thickens
• Fresh Herbs- always use fresh herbs when possible for best flavor, also good to chop and sprinkle as garnish when serving for more flavor

Serving Suggestions

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Polenta
• Orzo Pasta
• Couscous
• Vegetable Side Dishes - Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Garlic Butter Green Beans, Parmesan Roasted Broccoli, Air Fryer Garlic Asparagus

Can I Use Frozen Lamb Shanks?

Yes. You won't be able to sear them, and you'll need to increase cooking time by 10 minutes. I usually buy Costco Lamb Shanks and throw them in the freezer, but defrost overnight in fridge before using.

Can I Coat Lamb Shanks in Flour Before Searing?

Absolutely. This recipe tastes amazing both ways. To coat Lamb Shanks, lightly dust in flour before searing in Instant Pot. This adds a nice caramelized crust, helps with thickening the sauce and adds flavor.

Servings Per Person

Lamb Shanks are typically portioned as one Lamb Shank per person. This recipe serves 4 people, unless your Lamb Shanks are large, then it could feed six people separating the meat when plating.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge - place leftovers in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 3 days.
• Freezer - place leftovers in airtight container or Ziploc bag (squeezing out excess air). Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in fridge overnight before heating.
• Reheating - place in skillet with Sauce and extra broth if needed. Cover and heat over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively place in oven proof dish with Sauce and cover with foil. Place in preheated oven 350°F (180°C) for about 20-25 minutes until heated.

Comfort Food Recipes You'll Love

• Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
• Instant Pot Lamb Roast - Greek Style
• Traditional Shepherds Pie (made with leftovers)
• Beef Osso Bucco
• Lasagna with Chorizo
• Hungarian Stuffed Peppers
• Pierogies with Potatoes and Cheese
• Sheet Pan Gnocchi
• Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Bring the warmth and flavors of the Mediterranean to your dinner table tonight. Thanks to the Instant Pot, these Greek Lamb Shanks will melt in your mouth. An easy midweek dinner meal with minimal prep that's also perfect for a dinner party on the weekend. Either way, everybody will ask for seconds. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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