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Home » Blog » Recipes » Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks

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Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

On blustery nights when my teeth are chattering, there are few things that make me happier than tucking into a steaming bowl of braised lamb shanks. It’s not just because it’s rib-sticking comfort food, but also ‘cause it reminds me of my dad and our shared love for lamb dishes. I don’t, however, share his stoicism and zen-like patience, so I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy ways to prepare lamb.

Here’s a recipe that fits the bill. Thanks to my pressure cooker, I can get a hearty winter meal of lamb shanks onto the dinner table in less than an hour.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds lamb shanks
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon ghee, divided
  • 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery staks, roughly chopped
  • 1 large onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
  • 1 pound ripe roma tomatoes or 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup bone broth
  • 1 teaspoon Red Boat Fish Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup minced Italian parsley (optional)

Equipment:

  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker
  • Tongs
  • Silicone spatula

Method:

Grab the shanks…

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

…and season them with salt and pepper to taste.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Melt a tablespoon of ghee over high heat in a 6-quart pressure cooker. Sear the lamb shanks until browned on all sides (8-10 minutes). If you’re using an Instant Pot, you can sear the shanks on the “Saute” function.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

While the lamb is browning, chop up your veggies.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Remove the lamb from the pot…

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

…and plop them on a platter.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of ghee to the pressure cooker. Add the carrots, celery, and onion to the pot, and season with salt and pepper.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Once the vegetables have turned translucent, add tomato paste and garlic cloves and stir for one minute.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Add the shanks back into the pot…

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

…along with the tomatoes.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Pour in the bone broth, fish sauce…

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

…and balsamic vinegar.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Before locking on the lid, grind on some fresh pepper.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Lock on the lid. (If you’re using the Instant Pot, press “Cancel/Keep Warm” button to turn off “Saute.” Press the Manual Button and set the IP to cook for 50 minutes under high pressure. The machine takes care of the rest!)

With the lid tightly sealed, bring the contents of the pot up to high pressure over high heat.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Once high pressure is reached, turn down the heat to the minimum level needed to maintain high pressure for 45 minutes. (Usually, the “low” or “simmer” settings should work – or if you’re using an electric stove, you can move the pot to a different burner set on low.)

When the braised shanks are finished cooking, let the pressure drop naturally.

Plate the shanks…

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

…and adjust the sauce for seasoning.

Ladle the sauce on the shanks.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

If you’ve got some fresh Italian parsley, mince it up…

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

…and sprinkle it over the top of the braised meat.

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

You’ll be amazed at how quickly the pressure cooker can produce succulent, fall-off-the-bone tender lamb shanks.


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).


 PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD

Print Recipe
4.8 from 5 votes

Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks

Here's a recipe that prepares lamb in a quick and easy way. Thanks to my pressure cooker, I can get a hearty meal of lamb shanks onto the dinner table in less than an hour!
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time1 hr
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gluten-free, keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 711kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds lamb shanks
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt 
  • 2 tablespoon ghee divided
  • 2 medium carrots roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
  • 1 large onion roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 3 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
  • 1 pound ripe roma tomatoes or 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup bone broth
  • 1 teaspoon Red Boat fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup minced Italian parsley (optional)

Instructions 

  • Grab the shanks and season them with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Melt a tablespoon of ghee over high heat in a 6-quart pressure cooker. Sear the lamb shanks until browned on all sides (8-10 minutes).
  • While the lamb is browning, chop up your carrots, celery, onion, and tomatoes.
  • Remove the lamb from the pot and plop them on a platter.
  • Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of ghee to the pressure cooker.
  • Add the carrots, celery, and onion to the pot, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Once the vegetables have turned translucent, add tomato paste and garlic cloves and stir for one minute.
  • Add the shanks back into the pot along with the tomatoes and pour in the bone broth, fish sauce, and balsamic vinegar.
  • Before locking on the lid, grind on some fresh pepper.
  • Lock on the lid. With the lid tightly sealed, bring the contents of the pot up to high pressure over high heat.
  • Once high pressure is reached, turn down the heat to the minimum level needed to maintain high pressure for 45 minutes. Usually the "low" or "simmer" settings should work.
  • When the braised shanks are finished cooking, let the pressure drop naturally.
  • Plate the shanks and adjust the sauce for seasoning. Ladle the sauce on the shanks.
  • Mince the Italian parsley and sprinkle it on top of the braised meat.
Tried this recipe?Mention @nomnompaleo or tag #nomnompaleo!

Nutrition

Calories: 711kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 63g | Fat: 44g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kylie Thompson says

    August 30, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    Do you think I could do this in a slower cooker? My shanks are too big & I have 6 shanks to cook up.

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      August 31, 2020 at 5:13 pm

      Yes! Just cook on low for 8 to 10 hours in a slow cooker!

      Reply
  2. Bonnie says

    February 21, 2021 at 12:55 am

    I am confused. I just got all this going in the IP (which we are relatively new at using). Its on High Pressure – am I supposed to decrease the heat somehow while keeping it at high pressure? How do we accomplish this? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      February 21, 2021 at 3:56 am

      These instructions are for folks with a stovetop pressure cooker. If you have an Instant Pot, you don’t need to adjust anything!

      Reply
  3. Kelly says

    September 16, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    So how long do we cook it for if using an instant pot? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      September 17, 2021 at 3:12 pm

      My directions say to cook them for 50 minutes under high pressure.

      Reply
  4. Libby says

    December 31, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    Can I make these from frozen lamb shanks?

    Reply
  5. Janet says

    April 16, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    My husband always complains that lamb shanks are “greasy”. Any suggestions for degreasing the sauce first?

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      April 16, 2022 at 10:19 pm

      Make it the night before and refrigerate it. The next day, take off the hardened fat cap and reheat.

      Reply

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