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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish

    Slow Roasted Lamb Shanks In Foil Packets

    By Lily・Published:Sep 12, 2020・Updated: Jun 2, 2021・Post may have affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    slow roasted lamb shanks

    The best slow-roasted lamb shanks I have ever had in my entire life was at Yassmine's house. Yassmine is an excellent cook, and luckily she shared with me her secret recipe. These lamb shanks are wrapped tightly in foil packets, and cooked low and slow in the oven resulting in the most tender and moist lamb shank recipe ever.

    roasted lamb shanks in the oven

    You can add potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and/or onion below the lamb shank. The vegetables cook slowly and soak up the juice from the lamb. Even the vegetables are incredible. And if you like low and slow roast recipes, check out this slow-roasted bone-in ribeye roast recipe and this Mediterranean pot roast.

    What I Love About This Recipe

    Not only is this recipe so easy to do, but it is one of my top 5 recipes! These tender, moist, slow-roasted flavorful falling off the bone lamb shanks are unbelievable. They need the full 4 hours to cook properly, so make sure you set aside enough time for this recipe. The time you wait is worth it.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Lamb Shanks: This recipe is ideal for lamb shanks, but other similar size cuts of lamb work too. When picking lamb shanks at the store, go for the lamb shanks around 1.5 pounds. Lamb shanks have a good amount of fat already in the cut, so we will not be using any additional oils or fats. The quality and freshness of the lamb matter.
    • Vegetables: This recipe works great with any type of starchy vegetable like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc. The starchy vegetable soaks in all of the juices from the lamb as the lamb is being slow-cooked. The vegetables are my favorite part of the dish honestly!
    • Garlic & Onions: What is life without some garlic and onions? I add the garlic directly into slits within the meat. The onions are added to the vegetables for extra flavor. Sometimes, I add some whole shallots too.
    • Yogurt: I use yogurt to marinate the lamb (I know sounds weird), and as a side dish when eating the lamb. If you've never tried marinated meat with yogurt, please try this at least once. Sweet yogurt or flavored yogurt do not work. You need plain yogurt or Greek yogurt. The yogurt can be either full fat or fat-free.
    • Spices: I change up my spices literally every time I make this dish. The recipe is written very simply so as not to overcomplicate things with only dried oregano, salt, and pepper. You can add dried thyme, ground cumin, or ground coriander.

    How to Make Lamb Shank Foil Packets

    Make 1" slits (about 3 or 4 for each) into the meat and stuff halved garlic cloves. Marinate the lamb shanks. Heat the oven to 300℉ or 150℃. Chop the vegetables.

    ingredients for oven roasted lamb shanks

    On the countertop, lay a large foil sheet with parchment paper on top. Add the chopped vegetables. Sprinkle the vegetables with some salt and pepper.

    Hint: Each lamb shank will be individually wrapped in parchment paper and foil. The food will directly sit on the parchment paper, and the foil will be used to lock in the moisture.

    parchment paper and foil
    lamb shank foil packet how to

    Add the marinated lamb shank on top of the vegetables. Wrap the parchment paper around the lamb shanks and vegetables.

    Tightly wrap the aluminum foil around the parchment-wrapped lamb shank. Using the second sheet of aluminum foil, tightly wrap the lamb shank.

    oven roasted lamb shanks in the oven foil packets
    foil packet for lamb shanks

    Place the lamb shanks in the oven at 300 ℉ or 150 ℃ for 4 hours. No more, no less. They need 4 hours to cook, so they are falling off the fork-tender.

    foil packets in oven pan

    Once the lamb shanks have roasted covered for 4 hours, unwrap them. Fold back the parchment paper and foil so that they are tucked into the sides of the meat. Roast the lamb foil packets for a few minutes in the oven at 450 ℉ or 230 ℃. Keep an eye on those shanks so they don't dry out.

    Tips and Tricks

    • The most important tip for making roasted lamb shanks in the oven is to make sure they are wrapped extremely well with foil. That's why I wrap the shanks with 2 layers of foil because we don't want any moisture to escape. I recommend wrapping each shank individually rather than adding a foil on top of a baking pan. It makes a difference, trust me.
    • I prefer to use parchment paper AND foil for my foil packets. The parchment paper is what's in contact with the food, and the foil is creating an airtight enclosure where the moisture can't escape.
    • Slice 1" sections into the lamb shank and stuff the meat with garlic cloves. I add about 3 to 4 slits to each and stuff with a half garlic clove.
    • This recipe takes about 4 hours of cooking, so you will need to plan ahead time-wise before starting. You can marinate the lamb shank the night before, or 15 minutes before putting it in the oven.
    close up view of roasted lamb shanks

    Variations

    The lamb shanks can be marinated with ANYTHING. My favorite recipe for the marinade is yogurt, dried garlic flakes, salt, pepper, and oregano.

    Equipment

    • Lots of foil
    • Lots of parchment paper
    • Chef's knife and cutting board
    • Large baking pan

    What to Eat Roast Lamb Shanks With?

    I normally cook this dish with a golden raisin and caramelized onion rice dish. Or if you add enough vegetables below, you can eat it as is. Another side I enjoy with this meal is garlic cucumber yogurt. If you'd like a light side dish to accompany this, I'd recommend Lebanese rice with vermicelli or some tabbouleh.

    • Cucumber Yogurt Sauce (Khyar Bi Laban)
    • Instant Pot Lebanese Vermicelli Rice
    • Lebanese Tabouli Salad (Tabbouleh)
    • Butter Roasted Baby Gold Potatoes

    Mediterranean Lamb Recipes

    • Easy Ground Lamb Shepherd's Pie
    • Oven Broiled Lamb Kabobs
    • Algerian Lamb Shoulder Stew With Couscous
    • Ouzi Spiced Rice With Lamb
    • Grilled Lamb Chops
    • Fasolia Lebanese Lamb and Lima Bean Stew

    Low and Slow Recipes

    • Tender Bone-In Ribeye Roast Recipe (Well Done Prime Rib)
    • Mediterranean Pot Roast
    • Slow Roasted Crispy Chicken Thighs and Potatoes
    • Slow Roasted Boneless Leg Of Lamb

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    slow cooked lamb shanks in the oven

    Slow Roasted Lamb Shanks In Foil Packets

    Author: Lilian B.
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Egyptian
    Prep: 15 mins
    Cook: 4 hrs
    Total: 4 hrs 15 mins
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate Email
    Servings 4
    These tender lamb shanks are slow-roasted in foil packets for 4 hours with carrots, potatoes, garlic, and onions. This is Yassmine's famous recipe and my go-to lamb shank recipe!

    Ingredients
     
    US Customary - Metric

    • 4 lamb shanks each weighing between 1 lb to 1½ lbs (about ½ kg each)
    • 4 potatoes sweet potatoes if Paleo
    • 4 carrots
    • 2 medium onions
    • 8 garlic cloves cut in half
    • 4 teaspoon garlic flakes
    • 1 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
    • 4 teaspoon oregano or thyme
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    Make the Marinade

    • Combine yogurt, salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic flakes in a bowl. Massage marinade into lamb shank and put in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight. If short on time, go to the next step straight away.

    Prepare the Foil Packets

    • Chop vegetables. Layer parchment paper on top of foil about the size of a cookie sheet. Place cut vegetables onto parchment paper and add salt and pepper to taste. Put lamb shank onto cut vegetables.
    • Wrap an inner layer of parchment paper around the lamb shank and vegetables. Wrap foil tightly around parchment paper. Wrap a second layer of foil extremely tightly.

    Cook the Lamb Shanks

    • Cook for 4 hours at 300 ℉ or 150 ℃.
    • Remove from oven and unwrap foil and parchment paper. Tuck parchment paper/foil into the sides of the lamb shanks. Broil lamb shanks at 450 ℉ or 230 ℃ for a few minutes to brown top. Make sure the parchment paper is properly tucked underneath the lamb shanks, so it doesn't catch on fire.

    Notes

    1. Ideally, the lamb shanks should marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, however, this time can be skipped in running short on time.
    2. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    3. If following the Paleo diet, the yogurt can be omitted.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1shank | Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 246mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 24g

    More Ultimate Main Dishes For Lunch and Dinner

    • Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
    • Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits
    • Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
    • Chargrilled Beef Shish Kabobs

    About Lily

    Howdy! My name Lilian, but my friends call me Lily. I'm the founder and one of the recipe authors here at The Matbakh. I enjoy sunsets, long walks on the beach, meaningful relationships, and anything related to food. I'm so happy you are here!

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Maureen

      June 12, 2022 at 2:48 am

      Yummy thank you. Now I need to find a cut of beef that will work in the same way.

      Reply
      • Lily

        June 12, 2022 at 8:02 am

        Thanks for the comment! That’s a great idea!

        Reply
      • Lily

        June 17, 2022 at 8:11 pm

        Hi Maureen, you've inspired a new recipe- Mediterranean Pot Roast! It turned out wonderful, hope you get a chance to check it out.

        Reply
    2. john

      January 18, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      do I cut cooking time to 2 hours for 2 1lb shanks?

      Reply
      • Lily

        January 18, 2022 at 6:42 pm

        Keep the 4 hour cook time and individually wrap each shank.

        Reply
    3. James

      November 10, 2021 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      Hi Lilly, I'm on my own now ,but l love cooking, l Love Lamb so when l found your recipe l thought I'll give that a try ,Absolutely Brilliant the the Flavours from the Lamb which fell off the bone and the vegetables were Amazing, l have made this 3 times in the past 4 weeks, my
      Favourite Lamb dish ever, thank you Lilly,

      Reply
      • Lily

        November 14, 2021 at 3:27 pm

        Thank you for commenting! Lamb shanks in foil packets are one of my favorite low and slow recipes!

        Reply
    4. Jess

      July 13, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      Made this over the weekend and it was delicious

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 13, 2021 at 1:43 pm

        This is always my go to recipe for family gatherings

        Reply
    5. Lilian B.

      April 17, 2020 at 11:08 pm

      Thanks Luiz!

      Reply
    6. Luiz T

      April 14, 2020 at 7:32 am

      Meat melts off the bone. Flavor of vegetables with the lamb is sooo good.

      Reply
    7. Yas

      April 07, 2020 at 11:40 pm

      5 stars
      Sooooooooooo good

      Reply
      • Lilian B.

        April 09, 2020 at 12:16 am

        5 stars
        Thanks Yas

        Reply

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