Vietnamese lamb shanks with sweet potatoes
Vietnamese lamb shanks with sweet potatoes from Vietnam.
Cook and rest are read from the method. Prep is estimated when the listing left it out. Optional overnight waits and leftover storage are not counted.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 2 hr 31 min
- Rest
- None
- Total
- 2 hr 41 min
- Difficulty
- A bit of work
- Spice
- Mild
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Vietnamese lamb shanks with sweet potatoes is listed as lamb from Vietnam. The steps below follow the imported method, not an editorial rewrite. Times shown were read from those steps.
What you'll need
16 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
- Groundnut oil30 ml
- Lamb4
- Ginger30 ml
- Garlic3 clove
- Brown sugar20 ml
- Lamb stock1 l
- Tomato purée22 ml
- Fish sauce30 ml
- Lime2
- Mintto taste
- Basil leavesto taste
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy-bottomed casserole, season the shanks, then brown them 2 at a time on all sides, adding the remaining oil for the second batch. Remove the lamb and add the onions. Fry them quite briskly, about 30 secs, add the ginger, garlic and chopped chilli, then turn the heat down and cook for 1 min. Add 1 tbsp sugar, stir, then add the star anise, lemongrass, stock, purée and seasoning. Bring to the boil.
1 min
Step 2
Cover and cook in the oven for 1½ hrs, then add the sweet potatoes and cook for 1 hr more. The lamb should be completely tender and almost falling off the bones. Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice and 1 tsp sugar to just lift the flavour, then scatter with the mint, basil and the sliced chilli to serve.
150 min
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 650 kcal
- Protein
- 31 g
- Carbs
- 80.5 g
- Fat
- 28.2 g
- Saturated fat
- 6.9 g
- Fibre
- 15.4 g
- Sugar
- 18.8 g
- Sodium
- 1731 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Fish
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 12 November.
Substitutions
onion → shallot
Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have.
garlic (garlic powder or a pinch of onion) → garlic powder or a pinch of onion
1 clove ≈ ¼ tsp garlic powder. The fresh bite will be missing.
chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes
Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat.
lemon → lime
Same acidity, different perfume. Taste before you repeat the squeeze.
tomato (passata or canned chopped tomatoes) → passata or canned chopped tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are often better than pale fresh ones out of season.
potato (sweet potato or another starchy side) → sweet potato or another starchy side
Cook time changes. Sweet potato browns faster.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Inspired by the original
Provenance: Imported. Not developed or tested in our kitchen, so quantities and timings can be approximate. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Vietnamese lamb shanks with sweet potatoes take?
2 hr 41 min all in — 10 min prep, 2 hr 31 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Fish. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free.
8 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Oven, Frying pan, Dutch oven.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list salt as its own ingredient. Saltiness comes from Fish sauce — 2 tbsp. Taste at the end rather than adding a number we did not write.
How much brown sugar?
1.3 tbsp of Brown sugar.
How much fish sauce?
2 tbsp of Fish sauce.
What can I use instead?
onion → shallot. Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have. garlic (garlic powder or a pinch of onion) → garlic powder or a pinch of onion. 1 clove ≈ ¼ tsp garlic powder. The fresh bite will be missing. chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes. Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat. lemon → lime. Same acidity, different perfume. Taste before you repeat the squeeze. tomato (passata or canned chopped tomatoes) → passata or canned chopped tomatoes. Canned tomatoes are often better than pale fresh ones out of season. potato (sweet potato or another starchy side) → sweet potato or another starchy side. Cook time changes. Sweet potato browns faster.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.