Hearty Slow Roasted Lamb Shanks | Baby & Toddler Friendly BLW Recipe

Slow cooking is a busy parent’s best friend — and these lamb shanks are proof. Chuck everything in a Dutch oven, pop it in the oven and let it do all the hard work. The result is fall-off-the-bone tender meat that’s perfect for babies learning to self-feed, and hearty enough to feed the whole family.

Packed with veggies and full of flavour, this is the kind of set-and-forget meal that makes the dinner time rush a whole lot easier.

Hearty Slow Roasted Lamb Shanks – BLW / Baby Friendly

Slow cooking is a busy parent’s best friend — and these lamb shanks are proof. Chuck everything in a Dutch oven, pop it in the oven and let it do all the hard work while you get on with your day. No standing over the stove, no complicated steps.

The long, slow cook transforms the lamb into beautifully tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that’s ideal for babies learning to chew and self-feed. Paired with soft carrots and creamy mashed potato, this is a complete, nourishing meal the whole family can sit down and enjoy together.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours
Serves: 2 adults + 3 children
Freezer friendly: Yes (up to 3 months)
Texture: Fall-off-the-bone tender meat with soft vegetables

Age & Texture Guidance

This recipe is suitable for babies from around 7 months, once they are confidently managing soft textured foods.

The slow cooking process makes the lamb exceptionally tender, which is one of the reasons it works so well for babies. Here’s how to serve it across different stages:

7–9 months
Shred the lamb finely and serve alongside soft mashed potato and well-cooked carrot pieces. At this stage, carrot batons should be soft enough to squish easily between your fingers. Serve pieces long enough to grab — roughly the length of an adult finger.

9–12 months
Offer small shredded pieces of lamb alongside mash and soft carrot cut into smaller batons or rounds. Baby can start practising picking up smaller pieces as their pincer grasp develops.

12+ months
Serve as is. Toddlers can manage larger pieces of tender shredded meat alongside mash and carrot. A great meal for the whole family to enjoy together.

Allergens Present

• Dairy (butter in mashed potato)
• Check your stock label — some brands contain celery or other allergens

Allergen Substitutions

• Swap butter in the mash for olive oil or dairy-free spread if needed

Why We Love This Recipe

• Truly set-and-forget — minimal hands-on time
• Fall-off-the-bone tender meat perfect for babies and toddlers
• One pot means less washing up
• Naturally iron and protein rich
• Freezer friendly for easy future meals
• A complete family meal everyone can eat together