Craving a gourmet meal that tastes like it’s been slow-cooking for hours, but you only have under an hour? Meet your new favorite weeknight wonder: Tangy Instant Pot Lamb Shanks. We’re talking fall-off-the-bone tender meat bathed in a rich, savory sauce with a delightful tang from apple cider vinegar. The Instant Pot works its magic, infusing the lamb with incredible flavor and rendering it unbelievably succulent in a fraction of the time. This is comfort food elevated, made effortlessly simple.
Ingredients
• 4 Lamb Shanks, about 1 lb / 450g each
• 2 tbsp / 30ml Coconut Oil, divided
• 1 large Onion, sliced
• 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 1 ½ tsp / 3g ground Ginger
• 2 tbsp / 30ml Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 tbsp / 30ml Coconut Aminos
• 1 ½ cups / 355ml Beef Broth
• ½ tsp / 1g Black Pepper
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Set your Instant Pot to the SAUTE function. Melt 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil in the pot.
3. Working in batches if necessary, add the lamb shanks and sear until deeply browned on all sides. Remove the shanks and set them aside.
4. Add the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil and the sliced onion to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion begins to soften.
5. Stir in the minced garlic and ground ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
6. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and coconut aminos, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze any browned bits.
7. Return the lamb shanks to the pot. Pour the beef broth over everything and season with black pepper.
8. Secure the lid, set the steam release valve to ‘Sealing’, and cook on HIGH pressure for 7 minutes.
9. Once the cooking cycle is complete, turn off the Instant Pot and allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes.
10. Carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure. Serve the tender lamb shanks immediately with the pan sauce.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition Per Serving
• Calories: 280
• Total Fats: 14g
• Net Carbs: 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
Pro Tips
• Don’t skip the sear. Browning the lamb shanks first is crucial for developing a deep, rich flavor in the final dish.
• Deglaze for maximum flavor. Scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot with the vinegar; this is where a ton of flavor is hiding.
• Thicken the sauce. After removing the shanks, set the Instant Pot to SAUTE. Whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water and simmer until the sauce thickens into a gravy.
• These shanks are fantastic served over creamy mashed potatoes, polenta, or cauliflower mash to soak up the delicious sauce.
FAQ
Q: How long do you cook lamb shanks in the Instant Pot for this recipe
A: You cook the lamb shanks on HIGH pressure for 7 minutes, followed by a 20-minute natural pressure release.
Q: Why is searing the lamb shanks important
A: Searing the lamb shanks until they are deeply browned is a crucial step for developing a deep, rich flavor in the final dish.
Q: How do I thicken the sauce for the lamb shanks
A: After removing the shanks, set the Instant Pot to SAUTE. Whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water, then simmer until the sauce thickens into a gravy.
Q: What should I serve with these tangy lamb shanks
A: These shanks are fantastic served over creamy mashed potatoes, polenta, or cauliflower mash, which are perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
