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What to Serve with Lamb Shanks in Red Wine (20 Easy Sides)

If you’re looking for what to serve with lamb shanks in red wine, you’re in luck!

I’ve got 20 delicious sides and foods that will pair perfectly with your special meal.

Read Also: Lamb Shank Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Lamb Shanks

what to serve with lamb shanks in red wine

Whether you’re planning a romantic Sunday dinner for two or a big family gathering, these easy side dishes will make it easy for you to get out of the kitchen and spend time with your guests.

So grab some lamb shanks and let’s get cookin’!

What to Serve with Lamb Shanks in Red Wine?

The most common dish to serve with lamb shanks in red wine is mashed potatoes. Lamb and potatoes are a classic combination, and the flavors of both are enhanced by the rich sauce from the wine.

You can also serve your lamb shanks with a side of roasted vegetables. This will give you an opportunity to use up any leftover vegetables from your refrigerator, which can sometimes happen when you have a big meal planned.

Lamb Shanks in Red Wine

For more ideas, check these sides out:

1. Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus

This is a great side dish for lamb shanks.

It’s easy to make, and the flavor combination of the asparagus, lemon juice, and olive oil is simply perfection.

Plus, it’s healthy!

  1. To make this recipe, preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  2. While the grill is heating up, trim off any woody ends from the asparagus stalks (you can use kitchen shears).
  3. Then place them in a baking dish with about 1/4 cup water and cover them with foil.
  4. Place them on top of the grill for about 10 minutes until they’re tender but still firm enough to be eaten with a fork—depending on how thick your asparagus is, this might take longer or shorter than 10 minutes (it’s okay if they get slightly charred).
  5. Once they’re cooked through, transfer them to a serving platter and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice while they’re still hot so that they absorb some of those flavors.
  6. Serve immediately!

2. Roasted Potatoes

Roasted potatoes

Potatoes are an easy side dish that can be served with almost anything—and they’re always a crowd pleaser!

To make them extra good, all you have to do is toss them with some olive oil, salt and pepper, then roast them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re tender on the inside but still crisp on the outside.

3. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Butter (and Cheese)
Source: www.dontgobaconmyheart.co.uk

If you’ve got potatoes on hand—even if they’re just regular old russet potatoes—you can mash them up and serve them alongside your lamb shanks with minimal effort required beyond peeling and chopping them up into smaller pieces before boiling them until tender (about 15 minutes).

4. Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower
Source: mealthy.com

Roasted cauliflower is another great way to add a little extra something to your meal without having to slave over the stove for hours on end—just toss some florets in olive oil, salt, pepper and whatever else strikes your fancy (I love fresh herbs), then roast them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re tender on the inside but still crisp on the outside.

5. Maple Glazed Carrots

Maple-Glazed Carrots

Carrots are a great addition to any meal, but they can be tricky to prepare.

Often they come out soggy or too hard, but this recipe has the secret ingredient you’ve been looking for: maple syrup.

The sweetness of the maple syrup complements the carrot’s natural flavor while helping it stay nice and crispy when cooked.

6. Baked Roasted Radishes

Baked Roasted Radishes
Source: wickedspatula.com

Radishes are a delicious alternative to potatoes!

  1. Just grab a few bunches of radishes and cut off the tops and bottoms, then slice them into quarters or halves depending on their size.
  2. Add them to a large bowl with olive oil and salt, then toss until they’re evenly coated.
  3. Spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (optional) or foil sprayed lightly with cooking spray and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes until they’re tender inside but still slightly firm around the edges for maximum crunchiness!

7. Couscous Salad

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Couscous salad is a great way to bring together a bunch of different flavors that complement each other well—I love couscous because it’s packed with fiber and protein, so it’ll fill you up without weighing you down.

Plus, this recipe only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish!

8. Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread

Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread
Source: www.inspiredtaste.net

This bread is so simple yet so delicious—it’s perfect with any meal, but especially when you want something that can stand up to something heavy like braised lamb shank or grilled steak!

  1. Just slice up a loaf of foccacia bread into pieces about 2 inches wide by 4 inches long, drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with chopped rosemary and garlic powder.
  2. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes until golden brown on top!

9. Garlic Lemon Green Beans

Garlic Lemon Green Beans
Source: shewearsmanyhats.com

Green beans (Check out these recipes using canned green beans) are one of my favorite ways to add color and flavor to my plate, but they can often come off too bitter or too soft when cooked for too long.

The trick here is simple: par-boil them in water first before tossing them into a skillet with butter, garlic and lemon juice (and maybe even some red pepper flakes if you like things spicy).

The result?

Tender green beans that still have just enough crunch left in them.

10. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Baked sweet potato fries are another one of those crowd-pleasers that can easily be made in advance and reheated just before serving—they’re also incredibly versatile!

You can dress them up with spices or herbs, dip them in different sauces or just eat them plain with ketchup or mayonnaise.

The possibilities are endless!

11. Baked Beans

Boston Baked Beans

If you’re looking for a side dish that will add some extra comfort to your meal, look no further than baked beans.

They’re easy to make, and they can be adjusted to taste by adding different types of onions, peppers and other veggies.

12. Creamed Spinach

Creamed Spinach

For this recipe, all you have to do is sauté garlic in butter until it’s just golden brown, then add fresh spinach leaves and season with salt and pepper.

Your guests will be so impressed when they taste how much creaminess there is without having added a single drop of cream!

13. Cauliflower Au Gratin

Cauliflower Au Gratin

This cheesy baked dish is another great way to dress up cauliflower without spending hours in the kitchen.

Just toss cauliflower florets with olive oil and seasonings (I like garlic powder) before baking them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re tender on the inside but still crisp on the outside.

Then top them with shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese before baking again until golden brown!

14. Garlic Bread

Cheesy Garlic Bread

If you’ve ever made garlic bread before, then you know what an easy recipe it is to make!

Just spread softened butter over thin slices of Italian bread (or whatever kind of bread you prefer), sprinkle some minced garlic over top (and maybe some cheese if that’s your thing), broil it in the oven just until it starts to brown—that’s all there is to making this classic side dish!

15. Creamy Polenta

Creamy Polenta

This simple side dish is perfect when paired with rich meats like lamb shanks because it helps balance their richness while also making them more filling.

Just cook 1 cup of polenta according to package directions, then add 1/2 cup milk and a drizzle of olive oil once it’s done cooking; season with salt and pepper; stir well; serve warm alongside lamb shanks or other roasted meats.

16. Caramelized Cauliflower

Caramelized Cauliflower
Source: www.foodandwine.com

Caramelized cauliflower is one of those things that seems like it would take forever… but it doesn’t!

All you need are some thinly sliced florets (or whatever pieces work best for you), olive oil, salt and pepper—and about ten minutes in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re golden brown with just a hint of sweetness coming through.

17. Creamy Sweet Potato Mash

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

What’s better than a side dish that’s easy to make and tastes delicious?

One that’s easy to make, tastes delicious, AND looks gorgeous!

That’s why I love this creamy sweet potato mash.

It’s super simplejust boil some potatoes until they’re tender, then mash them with butter, milk and brown sugar until you’ve got yourself a silky-smooth side dish that will go perfectly with any main course.

Read Also: What To Serve With Sweet Potato Mash – 10 Best Side Dishes

18. Garlic Butter Roasted Parsnips

Garlic Butter Roasted Parsnips
Source: diethood.com

Parsnips are an overlooked vegetable that deserve more attention than they typically get!

They have a subtle sweetness that pairs well with heartier dishes like lamb shanks, but they also stand on their own as a great side dish for any occasion—especially when roasted with garlic butter!

19. Cornbread Muffins

Cornbread Muffins

These are so simple that even my kids can make them—just mix together flour and cornmeal, add a little salt, baking powder and sugar (or honey), then stir in eggs and milk until you have a thick batter that you can bake in muffin tins for 20 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can’t go wrong with butter and honey drizzled over top!

20. Green Bean Casserole

Green Beans Casserole

This is an oldie but a goodie—throw some green beans into a casserole dish with some cream of mushroom soup, breadcrumbs and french fried onions and bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it’s bubbling hot!

The end result is a delicious side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Lamb Shanks in Red Wine

What to Serve with Lamb Shanks in Red Wine (20 Easy Sides)

The secret to serving the perfect side dish with Lamb Shanks in Red Wine is to make sure that it's not too heavy. These shanks are already rich and meaty, so you don't want to add a side dish that's going to make the meal feel heavy and cloying.
In general, lighter sides work best for lamb shanks—think roasted vegetables, sautéed greens (like spinach or kale), or potatoes that have been coated in olive oil and roasted at high heat until they're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
If you're serving a salad, go light on the vinaigrette—just enough to dress it—and keep it simple with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, maybe some croutons if you're feeling fancy.
If you're not sure whether or not your side dish is too heavy, just ask yourself: "Is this making me feel full?" If yes, then it might be too much food; if no, then give yourself a pat on the back!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 387 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Grilled Asparagus
  • Roasted Potatoes
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Roasted Cauliflower
  • Maple Glazed Carrots
  • Baked Roasted Radishes
  • Couscous Salad
  • Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread
  • Garlic Lemon Green Beans
  • Baked Sweet Potato Fries
  • Baked Beans
  • Creamed Spinach
  • Cauliflower Au Gratin
  • Garlic Bread
  • Creamy Polenta
  • Caramelized Cauliflower
  • Creamy Sweet Potato Mash
  • Garlic Butter Roasted Parsnips
  • Cornbread Muffins
  • Green Bean Casserole

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite side dish from this list to serve with your meaty dinner.
  • Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword What to Serve with Lamb Shanks in Red Wine
CEO at Happy Muncher | benjamin@happymuncher.com | Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.