These elegant braised lamb shanks look fancy but are easy to make. Marinated in red wine and braised in Coke and beef stock, the flavor in these lamb shanks will have you begging for more.

South Africans love lamb—so much so that they’re a staple at any braai (barbecue) that’s thrown in the country. It’s much more popular than pork (although chicken is still #1) and is always welcomed at any table.

Although usually grilled, lamb meat can be made in many, many ways. Our good friend Colin Dreyer, a photographer from Photonique.co.za has offered to present us with his take on a classic: red wine-braised lamb shanks. He’s added the surprising taste of Coca-Cola, which gives the lamb shanks a nice,  richer flavor.

These lamb shanks are delicious with the added Coca-Cola to give it a richer, fuller flavor

First, he lets the lamb shanks marinate in the red wine for an hour, then fries them in a casserole on the stove. After that, he fries up the onions in butter until soft, adds the meat spice (any meat spice you prefer) and lamb shanks, then adds in the Coke, beef stock and remaining vegetables (except for the mushrooms).

In less than one and a half hours, you can have your lamb shanks ready to eat. Serve with mashed potatoes for a filling meal.

It all goes into the oven for about 30 minutes, and then the mushrooms are added. The lamb shanks continue braising for another 45 minutes and then they’re ready to devour.

Hmm, delicious!

Easy Lamb Shanks and Mushrooms

These elegant braised lamb shanks look fancy but are easy to make. Marinated in red wine and braised in Coke and beef stock, the flavor in these lamb shanks will have you begging for more.

Course Main Course

Cuisine European

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings 2 people

Calories 650 kcal

Author Colin Dreyer, Photonique.co.za

Ingredients

• 2lamb shanks
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Flour for dusting
• 2tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
• 1tsp butter
• meat spice (your favorite)
• 2medium onions finely chopped
• 2medium carrots cut 5-10mm thick
• 400g Mushrooms cut in half
• Red wine
• 2tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1tsp tomato paste
• 400ml beef stock
• 1cup Coca-Cola

Instructions

1. Let lamb shanks marinade in red wine for at least 1 hour, remove from wine and dust with flour. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Place an oven proof casserole on the stove over medium heat and add in the extra virgin olive oil.
3. Add lamb shanks, salt and pepper to taste. Fry shanks until all sides are brown, roughly 5 min, and remove from casserole and set aside.
4. Add butter and onions to casserole and fry onions until translucent. Add meat spice. Return shanks to the casserole and fry for about 5 min.
5. Add the Coke and cook for about 7 min. Add carrots, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and beef stock and cook for 10 min on medium heat.
6. Set oven to 180 degrees. Remove casserole from stove and place in oven. After about 30 min, add the mushrooms, and place the casserole back in the oven for another 45 min.
7. If you find that your sauce is not thick enough, mix in a few teaspoons of flour and return casserole to oven until the desired thickness has been reached.

Enjoy!