Enjoy the rich aroma and spicy kick of this traditional Lamb Shank Rogan Josh Indian curry, effortlessly cooked in your slow cooker using lamb shanks, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger.

To make Lamb Shank Rogan Josh in your slow cooker or crockpot, simply rub the lamb with a blend of garlic, ginger, and spices, lay it over onions, and let it cook on low for about 8 hours until it’s irresistibly tender.

Give this Lamb Shank Rogan Josh a whirl and see if you can stop at just one plate! Drop a comment below if you try it out—can’t wait to hear how you get on with this no-fuss feast!

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What is Slow Cooker Lamb Shank Rogan Josh?

Slow Cooker Lamb Shank Rogan Josh is a standout dish in Indian cuisine, marrying tender lamb shanks with a rich, tomato-based curry sauce full of garlic, ginger, and cumin.

This method of cooking ensures that the spices deeply penetrate the meat, resulting in a flavorful and aromatic meal that epitomizes the essence of spices in cooking.

Why Choose Lamb Shanks for This Recipe?

Lamb shanks are the ideal choice for this curry due to their rich marbling and connective tissue, which break down during the slow cooking process, enriching the sauce with unrivaled flavor and texture.

The slow braising method used in this recipe ensures the meat is not only tender but also saturated with the robust flavors of traditional Indian spices.

Slow Cooker Lamb Shank Rogan Josh Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 lamb shanks, trimmed
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated (that’s about a 2.5 cm piece)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder (add more or less to suit your heat preference)
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (that’s from about 5 pods, crushed)
• 2 tbsp plain yogurt, for the spice paste
• 4 tbsp plain yogurt, for the base sauce
• 4 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 3 tbsp ground almonds, for the final touch

How To Make Slow Cooker Lamb Shank Rogan Josh

1. Get Things Started: Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onions. Cook them until they’re soft and just starting to brown. Properly done onions are key here!
2. Spice It Up: While those onions are getting golden, mix your ginger, garlic, chili, cumin, coriander, turmeric, allspice, cardamom, and 2 tbsp yogurt into a spice paste. Make it nice and smooth.
3. Prep the Lamb: Slather that beautiful spice paste all over your lamb shanks. Make sure every nook and cranny is covered. Then, place them in the slow cooker on top of the onions.
4. Create the Sauce: Whisk together 4 tbsp yogurt, water, and tomato purée in a bowl. Pour this around the sides of the lamb in the slow cooker. We don’t want to wash off all that spice, do we?
5. Slow and Low is the Tempo: Set your slow cooker to low and forget about it for 6-8 hours. The lamb will be fall-off-the-bone tender.
6. The Finishing Touch: Stir in the ground almonds before serving. This thickens the sauce and gives it a gorgeous texture.
7. Serve and Impress: Dish out the lamb shanks whole or shred the meat off the bone. Pour over plenty of that rich, flavourful sauce.

Recipe Tips

• Maximising Flavour: To really unlock the flavours in your Lamb Shank Rogan Josh, toast the dry spices in a pan before adding them to the paste. This will amplify their aroma and depth in the dish.
• Managing Fat Content: If you’re watching your fat intake, refrigerate the cooked dish overnight. The next day, you can easily skim off the solidified fat from the top before reheating and serving.
• Enhancing Texture: For an even richer texture, consider frying the lamb shanks until browned before slow cooking. This adds a lovely depth of flavour and improves the final presentation of the dish.
• Balancing Spices: If the heat from the chili powder is too much, balance it with a bit of extra yogurt stirred into the sauce before serving. It smooths out the heat and adds creaminess.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Twist: Replace lamb shanks with large chunks of pumpkin or butternut squash for a vegetarian version of this Rogan Josh. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure vegetables are tender but not mushy.
• Different Proteins: Try using beef or pork shanks instead of lamb for a different take on this recipe. Each type of meat offers a unique flavour profile and might require slight adjustments in cooking time.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap out the ground almonds for crushed cashews to thicken the sauce for a different nutty flavour. This also adds a bit of texture to the dish.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut yogurt instead of plain dairy yogurt to bring a subtle coconut flavour to the Rogan Josh, making it dairy-free and slightly sweeter.

What To Serve With Lamb Shank Rogan Josh

Serve your Lamb Shank Rogan Josh with saffron-infused basmati rice, smoked aubergine mash, Jiffy Cornbread, caramelized figs, and a mint yogurt sauce for a unique twist.

You can also pair this dish with Beetroot Risotto, spiced carrot ribbons, or pomegranate couscous for a refreshing contrast.

How To Store Leftover Lamb Shank Rogan Josh

In The Fridge:

Once cooled, store your leftover Lamb Shank Rogan Josh in a sealed container. Make sure it’s airtight to keep the flavours locked in and fresh. It will hold up well for up to 3 days.

In The Freezer:

Lamb Shank Rogan Josh freezes exceptionally well. Get it into freezer-safe containers as soon as it cools. Squeeze out the air, seal it tight, and stash it for up to 3 months. It’s a perfect make-ahead meal that revives with a little heating.

How To Reheat Leftover Lamb Shank Rogan Josh

To bring your Lamb Shank Rogan Josh back to life, gently reheat it on the stove over medium heat. Add a little water if the sauce has thickened up too much in the fridge. Keep stirring until it’s piping hot throughout, and it’ll taste as good as new.

Check out More Slow Cooker Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Lambs Fry Bacon
• Slow Cooker Lamb Biryani
• Slow Cooker Lamb Souvlaki