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Chef Omar’s Braised Lamb Shank

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About Chefs’ Choir®

A chorus of culinary voices from Great Performances—our chefs step out of the kitchen to share recipes, stories, and inspiration. Learn more

Chef Omar Hegazi recently joined the Great Performances team as Corporate Chef de Cuisine and shares his recipe for a luscious Braised Lamb Shank.

Although this is not a traditional American holiday dish, it is a traditional recipe from where I am from.

Braised Lamb Shank

by Chef Omar Hegazi

Ingredients

  • 4–6 lamb shanks
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1.5 cups red wine
  • 2 cups beef or chicken stock
  • 1 can (400 g / 14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 4–5 sprigs thyme
  • 2 bay leaves

Procedure

  1. Prep the Lamb: Pat lamb shanks dry. Season generously with salt and pepper.

  2. Sear: Heat olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven or deep oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Brown shanks on all sides (8–10 minutes). Remove and set aside.

  3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot: add onion, carrots, celery and cook 5–7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute to caramelize

  4. Deglaze: Pour in the red wine. Scrape up the browned bits. Simmer 3–4 minutes to reduce slightly.

  5. Add Liquids & Herbs: Add stock, diced tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return shanks to the pot, submerging them partially.

  6. Slow Cook Braise:
    • Cover and place in preheated oven set at 325°F for 2.5–3 hours, turning shanks halfway.
    • They’re done when the meat is very tender and nearly falling off the bone.

  7. Reduce the Sauce: Remove shanks and simmer the sauce uncovered for 10–15 minutes until thicker.