• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot®

    Instant Pot Braised Lamb Shanks with Tomato

    Modified: Sep 16, 2024 · Published: Feb 14, 2018 by Ashley

    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flip
    • Threads
    • Bluesky

    This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 4.6 from 14 reviews

    Beautifully tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks are possible in a fraction of the time thanks to an electric pressure cooker!

    This Instant Pot Braised Lamb Shanks with Tomato recipe takes just a few ingredients and minimal effort.

    Serve it over mashed potatoes or polenta for a perfect comfort food dinner.

    Today is Valentine's Day and I.am.not.ready.

    Not that we had any big plans for today, but the last few weeks have been eventful, to say the least.

    Overhead view of a plate with mashed potatoes topped with a lamb shank with tomato sauce sprinkled with parsley and fork and knife off to the side.

    I was out in California for a conference (and it was AWESOME!!), and had some unexpected travel hiccups on my way home.

    Let's just say that now I can check "spend Super Bowl Sunday on a cot at O'Hare airport" off of my bucket list of things I never knew I'd get to experience.

    If you follow me on Instagram, you may have caught some of that fun in my IG story.

    After recovering from the jet lag and trying to get back into the swing of things, I wound up in the emergency room for a severe allergic reaction that had me one step away from anaphylaxis.

    As someone with no known allergies, this was terrifying, and I'm still fairly worked up about it.

    I'm pretty sure I know what caused it, but I need to see an allergist to get some solid answers so I can hopefully avoid ever being in that situation again.

    Then, to top it off, my kiddo got sent home from school yesterday for conjunctivitis.

    Ugh.

    So with the bevy of doctor visits, Benadryl, steroids, and worrying, Valentine's Day hasn't really been on my radar.

    But I couldn't NOT share this recipe in time for you to make it for your Valentine!

    And, in fact, if I can make it to the grocery store this afternoon, I may just make it again!

    Overhead view of a plate with mashed potatoes topped with a lamb shank with tomato sauce sprinkled with parsley.

    Lamb shanks are definitely a labor of love.

    To get that gorgeously melting off the bone meat takes time. And it's so worth it!

    But what if you're short on time?

    Or, say, you'd just like this whole process to take a lot less of it?

    It's time to break out the electric pressure cooker. I love my Instant Pot - I've been using it a LOT lately.

    In fact, I served these lamb shanks over the Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes that I had made a few days earlier.

    I'm not saying that this should justify me getting a second one, but I am saying I'd definitely use them both!

    Overhead shot of lamb shanks with tomato sauce in an Instant Pot.

    While this is a perfect meal for 2, I decided to buy 4 lamb shanks so we could have leftovers, and wrote the recipe to serve 4.

    Dishes like this hold up so well in the fridge, that it's perfect to eat again later in the week.

    And I'm all about utilizing leftovers!

    The sauciness from the crushed tomatoes makes this dish great to serve with something to soak it up.

    Aside from mashed potatoes, it would be fantastic over polenta, or even shredded and tossed with some pasta.

    I served our leftovers alongside some macaroni and cheese that I made in the Instant Pot (recipe coming soon!), and it was great together, too.

    ¾ view of a plate with mashed potatoes topped with a lamb shank with tomato sauce sprinkled with parsley. A fork is pulling the meat off the bone.

    Depending on the size of your Instant Pot, you'll need to sear your lamb in batches.

    I did mine 2 at a time to make sure they got enough contact with the heated pot to brown all over.

    After you have them seared, you pop a few more ingredients into the pot, cover it, and leave it alone for an hour.

    If for some reason your meat isn't tender enough, you can always close the lid again and cook it for another 10-15 minutes.

    Overhead view of a plate with mashed potatoes topped with a lamb shank with tomato sauce sprinkled with parsley.

    When I've done lamb like this on the stovetop, I've reduced the sauce at the end, which can be nice.

    I didn't bother here, but if you want a thicker sauce, you can certainly remove the lamb and tent it with foil to keep it warm while you reduce the sauce.

    Just set your Instant Pot to Sauté and be sure to stir it so the sauce doesn't burn onto the bottom of the pot.

    ¾ view of lamb shanks with tomato sauce sprinkled with parsley in a serving bowl.

    One of my husband's favorite parts of lamb (or beef) shank is the marrow.

    This cooking method allows the marrow to get nice and gelatinous, so it's perfect for marrow lovers.

    This recipe is guaranteed to be a big hit for your next romantic dinner.

    It's a great way to have a comforting meal that has that cooked all day flavor in a fraction of the time.

    What are your favorite romantic recipes? I'd love to hear about them in the comments section below!

    Overhead view of a plate with a lamb shank and tomato sauce next to macaroni and cheese with a fork on the plate.

    Looking for more ways to use lamb? Check out some of our favorite recipes:

    • Skillet Lasagna with Lamb, Ricotta + Mint
    • Persian Malbec Lamb Burgers with Mast-o-Khiar and Pomegranate Tomato Jam
    • Pan-Seared Lamb Chops Over Roasted Spaghetti Squash w Pomegranate + Aged Balsamic
    • Grazin’ TriBeCa’s Lamb Burger
    • Tajine Spiced Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint
    • Lamb Fajitas

    Want more Instant Pot recipes? Here are some of our favorites:

    • Instant Pot Herbed Pot Roast
    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Instant Pot Beef Goulash
    • Instant Pot “Baked” Beans
    • Waffle Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict
    • Instant Pot Chicken, Bacon, and Potato Soup
    • Chicken Quesadillas with Chipotle Ranch Dip
    Print

    📖 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Overhead view of a plate with mashed potatoes topped with a lamb shank with tomato sauce sprinkled with parsley.

    Instant Pot Braised Lamb Shanks with Tomato

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 14 reviews
    • Author: Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen - Ashley Covelli (adapted from Cooking Light)
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 Servings 1x
    • Category: Entrées, Lamb
    • Method: Instant Pot
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Beautifully tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks are possible in a fraction of the time thanks to an electric pressure cooker! This Instant Pot Braised Lamb Shanks with Tomato recipe takes just a few ingredients and minimal effort. Serve it over mashed potatoes or polenta for a perfect comfort food dinner.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 4 lamb shanks (around 1 pound each)
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
    • ¾ cup dry red wine
    • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • ¾ teaspoons dried oregano
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Set Instant Pot to Sauté and adjust to "More" and add oil.
    2. Pat lamb shanks dry and season with salt and pepper. Once the Instant Pot is hot, add lamb and cook until browned all over, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from pot and place on a plate. (You'll likely need to do 2 at a time, adding more oil in between if needed, so you don't crowd the pot).
    3. Add garlic to pan and sauté, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add wine and cook 2 minutes, being sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits. Stir in tomatoes, basil and oregano; cook 2 minutes.
    4. Return lamb to pot, spoon a little sauce over top, place the lid on and seal. Cook high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 min before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
    5. Serve lamb over polenta or mashed potatoes, sprinkling fresh parsley over top if desired.

    Notes

    If desired, you can remove the lamb shanks from the Instant Pot after cooking, and use the Sauté function to reduce the sauce for a few minutes to get a thicker sauce. Be sure to stir so the sauce doesn't burn!

    Recipe adapted from Cooking Light.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 723
    • Sugar: 8.1 g
    • Sodium: 927 mg
    • Fat: 26.6 g
    • Saturated Fat: 7.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 15.7 g
    • Fiber: 3.8 g
    • Protein: 96.4 g
    • Cholesterol: 290.3 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @bigflavors on Instagram and hashtag it #cookbigflavors

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
    2 photos - one Overhead shot of lamb shanks with tomato sauce in an Instant Pot and one of lamb shank on top of a plate of mashed poatotes.

    More Instant Pot®

    • Ladling homemade yogurt into a glass jar for storage.
      Homemade Instant Pot Yogurt
    • 3 containers of potato salad with fresh herbs in the background.
      Easy Instant Pot Herbed Potato Salad
    • Jars of applesauce surrounded by apples and whole spices.
      Easy Mulled Cider Applesauce (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
    • Overhead shot of an oval casserole dish full of creamy mashed potatoes sprinkled with chopped parsley.
      Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori H

      February 14, 2018 at 9:21 pm

      This looks so yummy! It seems like it would also be great with beef.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        February 15, 2018 at 10:16 am

        I think it'd be great with beef or pork shanks! I'll have to do some experimenting!

        Reply
    2. Loreto Nardelli

      February 16, 2018 at 9:14 am

      Hi Ashley, I love lamb,I love the distinct richness and tenderness of the meat if cooked well. I haven't done lamb in a long time but I used to do lamb roasts I would fill any loose pocket with a herb mix, garlic, olive oil and red wine to braise it. It always came out so tender anf flavorful. The use of the instant pot is great because the flavors really intensify especially with the tomatoes in their to creat a wonderful sauce. I have a pressure cooker and I love it aand I think that very soon some lamb shanks and the inspired passion from this post will grace the emptiness of the cooker, lol.
      Great recipe and what an adventure for Super Bowl Sunday!
      Cheers!
      Loreto

      Reply
      • Ashley

        February 22, 2018 at 9:29 pm

        I don't know that I've ever done a lamb roast, but the way you flavor it sounds absolutely delightful, Loreto! I definitely enjoy the shortcut of using the Instant Pot pretty often, but there's also something about simmering a dish all day long that's just downright comforting!

        Reply
    3. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen

      February 19, 2018 at 4:25 pm

      I love lamb and that sauce sounds just delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        February 22, 2018 at 9:30 pm

        Thank you! The sauce is wonderful - total comfort food!

        Reply
    4. Monica Le

      February 19, 2018 at 7:46 pm

      Instant Pot Braised lamb looks so delicious...wish I had some right now!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        February 22, 2018 at 9:33 pm

        Thanks so much, Monica! I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try at home 🙂

        Reply
    5. Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry

      February 20, 2018 at 2:43 am

      Don't you just love how the pressure cooker tenderizes what could be a tough cut of meat into fall of the bone goodness in so much less time? My father was a marrow person, too. He would love the gelatinous marrow in these shanks. Since I've never really cooked a lot of lamb, I'm going to try this the next time I find lamb shanks on sale.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        February 22, 2018 at 9:35 pm

        Yes! I love the shortcut that pressure cooking provides. I think this recipe would work well with beef or pork shanks, too. Definitely, let me know what you think of it if you give it a try, Patti 🙂

        Reply
    6. Monica | Nourish & Fete

      February 21, 2018 at 4:18 pm

      First off, this recipe looks amazing - one more reason to finally invest in an Instant Pot. I am loving the tomato accompaniment! Second, and more important, I'm so glad you're OK after that ER visit - that sounds terrifying! I'm glad you think you know what caused it, and I definitely hope you can avoid it happening again - so scary. Take care of yourself!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        February 22, 2018 at 9:36 pm

        I'm at no shortage of reasons to recommend the Instant Pot! This one was definitely one of our favorite recipes using it so far. And thank you! Terrifying is definitely the way it felt. I really feel for people who have severe allergies and deal with this fear on a regular basis!

        Reply
    7. Anne Murphy

      February 22, 2018 at 5:18 pm

      My grandmother used to cook lamb shanks - but for some reason I never have. I guess I should remedy that! They look and sound so delicious. (And I certainly hope your life has calmed down!)

      Reply
    8. Veena Azmanov

      February 23, 2018 at 4:51 pm

      I love using the pressure cooker for meat too. My mom used it a lot. This sounds so delicious and flavorful. The color is incredible.

      Reply
    9. Jenni LeBaron

      February 24, 2018 at 5:53 pm

      I LOVE lamb shanks so this recipe looks wonderful! I adore all of that rich tomato you've included.

      Reply
    10. Leslie Haasch

      February 25, 2018 at 5:27 pm

      Oh god, I can't tell you how much I empathize with the "sleeping on a cot in an airport" scenario! I hope you at least got to eat some delicious pizza, popcorn and italian beef while you were stuck in Chicago (it's my hometown, so I might be a little biased ;))

      As for this recipe, my mouth is WATERING!

      Reply
    11. Abby @ WinsteadWandering

      February 25, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      I've used my Instant Pot for all kinds of easy, down-home recipes, but I never realized you could make something so sophisticated as lamb! This is a great recipe to have in my arsenal.

      Reply
    12. Marissa Zurfluh

      February 26, 2018 at 1:35 am

      Seriously, what can't an Instant Pot make? I really would love to try lamb!

      Reply
    13. Elena

      February 26, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      I love red wine sauces and this dish sounds like a great main course for meat eaters!

      Reply
    14. Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life

      February 27, 2018 at 12:46 am

      I just bought an instant pot and I'm absolutely loving it! I can't wait to give this a try. I bet it just melts right off the bone!

      Reply
    15. AC

      April 27, 2018 at 9:00 pm

      Just cooked this for dinner (cut the recipe in half for 2) and it was delicious, rich flavor and very tender - and so simple, even by instant pot standards!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        April 27, 2018 at 9:25 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this dish - it's one of our favorites! We loved having leftovers from this meal, but it's totally easy enough to make another batch whenever you want. 🙂

        Reply
    16. Karen M

      November 15, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      I admit I am an Instant Pot novice.
      The shank was still tough after 45 mins. I extended another 15 min which helped make it fork tender, falling off the bone partially.
      I made the sauce per instructions, however, it was too runny. It did not thicken to look like the pic after another 10 mins. So I had no thick sauce.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        November 16, 2018 at 10:35 pm

        Hi Karen,

        The amount of time to get that perfect degree of tenderness definitely depends on how meaty the shanks are. Glad that a little extra time helped. Sorry that it didn't thicken enough to your liking - again, that's something that can vary with the texture of whatever brand of tomatoes you use, but it definitely can take a bit of time to really thicken a lot if you're letting it bubble away afterward. Thanks for the feedback, and I hope you enjoyed the lamb!

        Reply
    17. Jim

      February 25, 2019 at 11:30 pm

      Tried these tonight—they were wonderful. Wish I’d cooked enough for leftovers. Will definitely do this again. Thanks for posting, Ashley.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        February 26, 2019 at 8:01 am

        I’m so glad this was a hit for you! Leftovers are definitely delicious - there’s always next time!

        Reply
    18. k Bissinger

      July 30, 2019 at 6:52 pm

      Made this recipe tonight & thought it was VERY BLAND!!

      I used "heaping" tsp amounts of the spices while preparing but it wasn't enough flavor. Had to increase spices by 3x at the end to get SOME flavor.

      I think 8 garlic cloves, + 1/2 a large onion, chopped , + 1 Cup Wine would be an improvement as well as the additional spice amount I used.

      The shanks were fall off bone tender.

      Had to thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry.

      Reply
    19. Ashley

      July 31, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      Sorry to hear that this one wasn't a hit for you. Garlic and onion make everything more delicious, for sure. And yes, I find that sauces can very so much in how quickly they'll thicken up. I'm glad the lamb was nice and tender for you though!

      Reply
    20. Ben McLeod

      September 07, 2019 at 4:09 am

      Really nice, there's something about lamb shanks you can't get from any other cut. Slightly tough at 45 min for me, so I'd try 50 next time but I still enjoyed it a lot. Only change I made was to thicken the sauce at the end with 4 teaspoons cornflour with a little cold water which worked perfectly.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        September 07, 2019 at 9:08 am

        So glad you enjoyed this, Ben! I actually picked up some lamb shanks to try to figure out how to best thicken the sauce and add it to the instructions, so I may just try your method! Have a great weekend

        Reply
    21. Jeremy Kanouse

      October 28, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      This is now a standard in my house. I add some tomato paste.
      Always a favorite.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        October 28, 2019 at 5:38 pm

        I’m so glad to hear this, Jeremy! I bet the tomato paste makes the sauce have an even deeper flavor, too. How much do you add? Do you put it in with the garlic before the wine?

        Reply
    22. Ellie

      December 06, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      Just got my instant pot this week and decided to make this tonight in the instant pot and wow! Perfect recipe 🙂 the meat is so so soft and falls off the bone! Can’t wait to make again, excited for all the possibilities in the IP

      Reply
      • Ashley

        December 06, 2019 at 9:06 pm

        I’m SO glad to hear that, Ellie! It’s one of our favorites to make in the Instant Pot, too. It’s such a versatile tool - you’re gonna love it! Congrats on your new kitchen tool!

        Reply
    23. M Hager

      April 07, 2020 at 7:05 pm

      Easy prep and clear instructions. This was my first Instant Pot recipe.

      I had read all the other comments prior to making this and added extra salt and black pepper when I added the tomatoes. I also added extra lamb stew meat since I only bought 2 lamb shanks.

      Turned out wonderfully. I did need to transfer the sauce to a 3 qt sauté pan to thicken it, but time and patience got it done.

      Thank you for posting this.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        April 07, 2020 at 9:33 pm

        I’m so glad to hear this worked out for you! And I love the idea of adding stew meat into the Instant Pot as well. Great tip! I’m honored that you chose my recipe for your Instant Pot’s maiden voyage

        Reply
    24. HS

      December 08, 2020 at 8:00 pm

      It was DELICIOUS! My husband actually said "it right up there with any restuant meal he has had".

      Reply
      • Ashley

        December 08, 2020 at 8:02 pm

        I’m so glad to hear that!! This is one of our very favorite meals, too. Thanks for the review!

        Reply
      • Roz

        March 20, 2021 at 8:51 pm

        The tomato braised lamb shanks - a PERFECT recipe. Made no adjustments!! The best I've ever made in my Instant Pot.

        Reply
        • Ashley

          March 21, 2021 at 4:33 pm

          I am SO glad this was such a hit, Roz! It's one of our favorite meals, too. My husband requested it a few weeks ago, and he *never* puts in requests for meals.

          Reply
    25. Susan

      August 16, 2021 at 10:14 am

      The lamb shank recipe was the best food I have ever prepared in my Instant Pot. ABSOLUTELY delicious. My husband said "this recipe is a keeper."

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 16, 2021 at 10:15 am

        I am so glad this was such a hit for you and your husband, Susan! My family loves this recipe. There are just 3 of us so sometimes I'll make 4 shanks and shred the meat from the 4th one to put over pasta for leftovers later in the week. Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    26. Num

      October 28, 2023 at 9:36 pm

      Any Recs for sure substitute for wine

      Reply
      • Ashley

        October 30, 2023 at 1:43 pm

        You could substitute a nonalcoholic red wine for the closest flavor. Alternately, I'd recommend a low sodium beef broth, and maybe add a splash of red wine vinegar to get a little of that flavor. Hope it works out well for you!

        Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Ashley and I’ve been writing about food & recipes here at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen since 2006. I want to help you (yes, you!) gain confidence in the kitchen so you are excited to cook at home for yourself and your loved ones.

    More about me →

    Favorite Spring Recipes

    • Mayo-free Deviled Eggs
    • Middle Eastern Fattoush Salad with Homemade Pita Chips
    • Birthday Cake Confetti Pancakes with Sprinkles
    • Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake
    • Garlicky Mushroom Ricotta Pizza with Wild Arugula + Aged Balsamic
    • Slow Cooker "Roasted" Beets
    • Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
    • Italian Ricotta Cookies
    • Rhubarb Custard Pie
    • Easy Instant Pot Herbed Potato Salad

    Mother's Day + Easter Brunch

    • Epic Brunch Board on a Budget
    • Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • Turkey Salad Tea Sandwiches with Dried Cherries
    • Great Grandma Maria Francesca Cardile's Italian Easter Cookies
    • Brie Waffle Bites
    • Challah French Toast
    • Creamsicle Smoothies
    • DM Bloody Mary
    • Turkey Scotch Eggs
    • The Herbalist

    Popular Now

    • Overhead view of spinach and cheddar quiche with forks.
      Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • Close up of a few cucumber slices topped with a spiced chickpea purée.
      Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites
    • Overhead shot of a plate with rectangles of white coconut jelly.
      Coconut Jelly
    • Falafel in pita bread with toppings served with yogurt-herb sauce.
      Falafel with Yogurt-Herb Sauce
    • Overhead view of assorted breakfast items displayed on a board.
      Epic Brunch Board on a Budget
    • No Mayo Deviled Eggs: Skip the mayo in this appetizer favorite - guaranteed to be a hit at any party!
      No Mayo Deviled Eggs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Ashley
    • Press + Recognition
    • Events
    • Virtual Cooking Classes
    • Podcast
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up to receive delicious recipes and exclusive content right to your inbox!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    ©2006–2025  BIG FLAVORS FROM A TINY KITCHEN LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    *Third-party advertisers may collect or use non-personally identifiable information to serve you more relevant ads.