Instant Pot Lamb Shanks: Fall-Off-The-Bone Flavor in Under 90 Minutes

Instant Pot Lamb Shank Recipe

Introduction

If you’re searching for a show-stopping meal that marries tenderness, deep flavor, and simplicity, this Instant Pot Lamb Shank Recipe will quickly become a favorite. The magic lies in how the pressure cooker turns economical lamb shanks into fall-off-the-bone goodness, saturated with aromatics and a richly flavored sauce—all in a fraction of the time traditional braising requires.

Great for holiday dinners, Sunday feasts, or when craving hearty comfort food, this recipe is perfect for both busy weeknights and special occasions.

Why This Instant Pot Lamb Shank Recipe Stands Out

Using the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart streamlines the cooking process, allowing the tough connective tissues in the shanks to turn into silky, mouth-watering richness. The Instant Pot not only saves hours compared to oven braising but also locks in all those succulent flavors.

The combination of rosemary, garlic, and red wine with the lamb results in a deeply aromatic sauce, while quick sautéing develops a base of flavor that tastes like it took all day to build.

Essential Prep for Amazing Lamb Shanks

For maximum efficiency and flavor:

Braising Lamb Shanks in the Instant Pot

Once the vegetables and aromatics are sautéed and the lamb is beautifully browned, it’s time to pressure cook. Nestle the lamb shanks in the sauce, making sure they’re mostly submerged. The high-pressure steam works wonders, rendering the meat tender and deeply infused with the sauce.

Check doneness by ensuring the lamb easily pulls away from the bone. A fast, reliable reading from the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking guarantees your lamb is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.

Serving Suggestions for a Stunning Finish

Remove the shanks and simmer the sauce using the Instant Pot’s sauté function to thicken it, if needed. Spoon generously over the lamb, and serve over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy couscous, or a bed of wilted greens.

For an elegant meal prep or leftovers, portion out lamb and sauce into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for effortless lunches that reheat beautifully.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 and is hearty, with each serving containing approximately 400–500 calories (depending on the size of the shank and amount of sauce). It’s rich in protein and iron—an occasional indulgence that’s perfect for a celebratory meal.

Instant Pot Lamb Shank Recipe (Recap)

This Instant Pot Lamb Shank Recipe offers a luxurious, flavor-packed centerpiece with minimal effort. Succulent lamb, a lush sauce, and incredibly easy cooking make this a true crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

2–4 lamb shanks (about 1–1.5 lbs each)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
2 sprigs rosemary
2 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
Optional garnish: parsley, lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Season lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper. Set the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart to ‘Sauté’ and add olive oil.
  2. Brown the shanks in batches, about 4 minutes per side, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté until softened (about 3–4 minutes). Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for speedy, uniform vegetable prep.
  4. Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Use the Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher to incorporate.
  5. Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Return lamb shanks to the pot, nestling them into the liquid.
  7. Seal lid and cook on ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ high for 45 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10–15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  8. Remove lamb shanks. Use ‘Sauté’ mode to reduce sauce to desired consistency. Check for doneness with the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking (at least 145°F for lamb).
  9. Serve shanks with plenty of sauce and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon zest if desired. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including pressure release)

Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth lamb, rich sauce, and effortless cooking with this Instant Pot Lamb Shank Recipe—a centerpiece worthy of any dinner table.

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