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braised lamb shank sitting on cider braised sauce in a white bowl

Cider Braised Lamb Shanks

Tender lamb shanks braised in apple cider, suya spice, and peanut butter for a rich, soulful dish. Perfect for flavor seekers craving bold and comforting meals!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: African, American
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 618kcal
Author: Marwin Brown

Ingredients

  • 2 large Lamb Shanks
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon allspice
  • 2 medium Carrots peeled and sliced
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion sliced
  • 1 large Fennel Bulb Cored and sliced
  • 3 Cloves Garlic diced
  • 2 cups Apple Cider
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock
  • 2 tablespoon Peanut Butter
  • 1 whole Apple Peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1 whole Bay Leaf
  • 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme
  • 2 teaspoon Suya Spice

Instructions

Sear the Lamb Shanks

  • Mix the salt, pepper, allspice, and paprika together in a small bowl. Season lamb shanks generously with half the seasoning mix. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the shanks until golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Sauté the Aromatics

  • In the same Dutch oven, sauté onions, fennel, garlic, and carrots until fragrant. Add a ¼ of the remaining seasoning mix to deepen the flavors.

Build the Braising Liquid

  • Deglaze the pot with a cup of apple cider, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in peanut butter and chicken stock unless you're opting for beef broth, whisking until smooth. Add apple slices plus the rest of the spices for sweetness and depth.

Braise the Lamb Shanks

  • Return the braised lamb shank to the Dutch oven, ensuring they’re partially submerged in the liquid. Cover with a lid and transfer to a 350°F oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat is fork tender.

Finish the Sauce

  • Remove the shanks and simmer the braising liquid on the stovetop until thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and maybe a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness.
  • Serve the shanks atop a few big spoonfuls of the thickened cider based sauce and vegetables. Sprinkle suya spice generously onto the shanks.

Video

Notes

  1. Choose Quality Lamb: Opt for fresh, bone-in lamb shanks for the best flavor and texture.
  2. Low and Slow Cooking: Braising at a low temperature ensures tender, flavorful meat.
  3. Balance the Flavors: Taste and adjust the braising liquid as you go, balancing sweetness, heat, and acidity.
  4. Rest Before Serving: Let the lamb shanks rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to settle.
  5. Fresh herbs: Add fresh thyme or fresh rosemary to add that herbal flavor element

Nutrition

Calories: 618kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 1838mg | Potassium: 1863mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 11014IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 7mg
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