It’s a popular Chef’s Special at upscale Thai restaurants that will set you back $30 for just one shank. 5 minutes prep, then just pop it in the oven. Yes, really!
Lamb Shanks in Massman Curry
Aussies are extremely fond of lamb shanks and Massaman Curry. So we never pass it up when we see them together on the menu of a Thai restaurant. Meltingly tender lamb shanks smothered in a rich coconut, spice infused Massaman curry sauce is a heavenly combination – just the thought makes me weak in the knees, and you’ll happily pay upwards of $30 for ONE lamb shank. So will you choke with disbelief when I tell you the dish you see in these photos is a 5 minute prep, dump-and-bake job?? Close your eyes and imagine fall-apart-at-a-touch lamb shanks smothered in rich Massaman curry sauce….. UGH!!! It’s incredible!!!
What you need for Massaman lamb shank curry
We’re using a store bought curry paste in this recipe – in fact, this recipe does not work as written using homemade. This was an irritating discovery because homemade Massaman Curry paste is an effort to make! 😒 (Reason: Homemade is just too fresh, this recipe needs the concentrated flavour of store bought paste) Here are the ingredients you need:
Lamb Shanks – Lamb shanks are the lower part of lamb legs. Front legs = foreshanks which are smaller (use 4 to 5), hind legs = hind shanks which are large (use 2 to 3) – recipe calls for 1.5 kg/3lb in total; Massaman Curry paste – Maesri is my preferred brand. Not all curry pastes are made equal! More on this below; Cinnamon and star anise – flavour boost of two dominant spices in the curry paste; Coconut milk – as used in traditional Massaman Curry sauce; Chicken stock/broth – to create volume to make a braising liquid to mostly submerge the shanks, as well as adding depth of flavour into the sauce. Traditional Massaman Curry is made by braising beef cubes in liquid to make a homemade stock; and Potato and onion – traditionally included in Massaman Curry.
Other lamb cuts
The only other lamb cut I’d recommend is lamb shoulder, whole. Essentially it will be like a lamb pot roast – Thai style! Directions in recipe notes. (And if I try it, I will pop a photo in here. Likely I will because I know it will be amazing).
Beef alternatives
I haven’t tried, but I think this recipe will work extremely well with beef cheeks, beef Osso bucco (not veal, cooks too fast), beef ribs (any type). These have similar long cook times, similar meat fibres, and good beef flavour. Do not use: brisket, chuck beef, silverside or other slow cooking beef cuts (not enough flavour in meat to work for this dump-and-bake method of cooking).
Chicken?
Won’t withstand the required cook times to develop enough flavour I’m afraid. Not with this simple cook method!
Best Massaman Curry Paste – Maesri
Here is the undisputed king of all store bought Thai curry pastes – Maesri. Restaurants use it, chefs use it, and food obsessed people like myself are mad for it. And it happens to be a bargain at ~$1.50 a can.
I use it for all my Thai curries when I don’t have time / ingredients to make the curry paste from scratch – Red, Green and traditional Massaman beef curry.
Where to find Maesri curry paste – at your local grocery store!
It’s sold at most metropolitan Coles and Woolworths grocery stores in Australia (Asian section), at Harris Farms, practically all Asian stores (it would be un-Asian not to carry it!) and here it is online in Australia, US, Canada* and UK.
- Obscenely expensive, please try to get to an Asian store!
Can’t find it?
Use any Massaman Curry paste you can find. Order of preference (Aussie brands) – Ayam, Five Tastes and bringing up the rear is Volcom (it’s always too sweet).
How to make it
Two simple steps: (I haven’t listed the likely extra step of fending off your neighbours when they smell it cooking and come running over for a taste. It’s a real risk.)
I NEVER cook curries OR lamb shanks like this!
Anyone who knows anything about cooking curries knows that a really great Thai curry calls for either homemade curry paste, or “pimping up” store bought curry paste with fresh aromatics like garlic, ginger, chilli and lemongrass. And you always cook off the curry paste to toast it and and intensify flavour. Mandatory for Thai Red, Green and Massaman Beef Curry. We bypass all of that for this recipe. We don’t even brown the lamb shanks beforehand! And here’s why this recipe still delivers knock-your-socks-off flavour with such little effort:
What to serve with Massaman Curry Lamb Shanks
Rice is essential for soaking up that incredible sauce. Specifically, Jasmine rice – but really, any rice will do. Nobody will notice what rice you use once it’s smothered in the Massaman Curry! To complete your meal, add a side of fresh greens. In Thailand, it’s common to just have a side of tomato wedges and cucumbers – no dressing. Welcome freshness for a rich dish like this! Otherwise, try one of these side salads:
Side Salads suggestions
If you’re feeling inspired to do a full blown Thai feast at home, you can’t go wrong with an authentic Green Papaya Salad. Else try some of these on the side – or browse my full menu of Thai recipes (note to self: share some Asian desserts!!)
Thai Sides and Starters
And just one last quick thing – as with stews, this is the sort of dish that gets even better with time which lets the flavour develop even more. So if you really wanting to impress someone, make it the day before! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Note: video says covered bake time is 2.5 hrs, this is incorrect, it should be 2 hours. Typo!
Favourite Thai Restaurants in Sydney
And I think it would be remiss of me not to mention my favourite Thai restaurants here in Sydney! Our rich, cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and with that comes an abundance of great food from around the world. So really good Thai food is widely available all across Australia – here are the ones I regularly frequent:
Khao Pla (Chatswood) – Top notch modern Thai, I frequent this regularly because it’s my closest really good Thai restaurant (30 minutes away!!). I also like that while it stays 100% true to Thai flavours, it has some wonderfully unique dishes (try the Tamarind Ribs, they are my favourite!) Spice I Am (Surry Hills) – Some of the most authentic Thai you will get in Sydney. Big flavours, very spicy, fresh, award winning high regarded restaurant; Long Chim (Sydney CBD) – By lauded Australian chef and Thai food expert David Thompson. Top end prices, trendy, very authentic and unapologetically spicy! Chat Thai – It’s grown to quite a large chain today, but don’t let that deter you. It is very, very good – slightly modern, but very authentic. In Chatswood, Manly, Randwick and multiple locations in Sydney city.
Life of Dozer
Dozer in usual form – begging for the very food I just gave Geoff, our friendly local who lives at the dog park and looks after it like its his own backyard! That day, it was this broccoli pasta (with extra cheese – Geoff loves his gooey cheese 😂)
