What to Serve with Lamb Shanks? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Lamb shanks have become a nice choice for many people to braise, grill, fry, and more.

This meat refers to the cut between the leg and knee.

This flavorful meat cut is comparatively tougher than other parts as it has more connective tissues.

This is why lamb shanks are prepared well and cooked for longer hours than other regular meat cuts.

While lamb shanks taste wonderfully on their own, there are reasons why many people choose to serve them with complimentary side dishes.

There are a lot of side dish possibilities to serve with lamb shanks.

These choices can range from green beans and mushrooms to Irish mashed potatoes.

10 Best Side Dishes for Lamb Shanks

1 - Green Beans and Mushrooms

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This side dish is the true harmony between the fresh and earthy flavors of green beans and mushrooms.

So when you eat this healthy mix, you'll fall in love with the two striking flavors.

Add a bite of lamb shanks, and you'll be eating something deliciously heavenly.

This dish of green beans and vegetables nicely brings out the flavor of the lamb shank.

This scrumptious dish can serve as a side dish to your lamb shank.

Or you can do the alternative style of adding sliced or chopped lamb shanks into the dish for a healthy and delicious dose of satisfaction.

If a crispy, tangy side is preferred instead, consider pairing with fried green tomatoes - fried green tomatoes side dish options.

2 - Rice Pilaf

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There's no better way to enjoy a fulfilling dish of lamb shanks than to pair it with rice pilaf.

Whether you have it on its own or as a side dish to enhance another dish, rice pilaf makes a great side dish for many food lovers.

This special rice dish is a mixture of wild rice and long grain.

It brings on a unique taste and texture that mixes exceptionally well with a wide variety of dishes.

You can add other flavorful ingredients like garlic, pepper, rosemary, and others to improve and personalize the dish to your desire.

For other rice-centered sides that work with rich mains, see chicken fried rice side pairings and ideas.

3 - Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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While serving lamb shanks, it is good to note that it is a dry dish, just like many cooked types of meat.

Therefore, soft side dishes such as mashed potatoes make the perfect accompaniment.

This is the reason why we've included garlic mashed potatoes in our list of the best side dishes to serve with lamb sharks.

Garlic mashed potatoes have a thick yet creamy texture that makes them easy to have, along with chewy dishes like lamb shanks.

The best way to prepare this filling side dish is to use fresh and genuine ingredients.

Use fresh garlic instead of processed garlic and real butter to get the right flavor, taste, and texture.

For creamy sides that complement protein-forward mains, check garlic butter shrimp side dish suggestions.

4 - Steamed Broccoli

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A side dish of steamed broccoli does not just taste crisp and is beneficial for health, but it also adds beauty and color to the table.

Anyone looking for side dishes to improve the flavor of your lamb shanks, this is a recipe to try.

Broccoli may be one of the healthiest and most nourishing veggies in the world, with so many remarkable health benefits.

The is that it makes a great side dish to a delicious dish of lamb shanks.

All you have to do is steam the veggie using the right preparation method and settle down for a wonderful dish that you'll recall for a lifetime.

For vegetable-forward accompaniments that pair with hearty meats, review beef and broccoli side suggestions.

5 - Glazed Baby Carrots

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Nothing can go wrong with a dish of glazed baby carrots.

This flexible side dish is meant to pair perfectly well with a wide range of dishes.

If you couple it with a steaming dish of lamb shanks, you'll be using this recipe over and over whenever you eat lamb shanks.

Making glazed baby carrots doesn't come with a lot of hassle because you can make them from simple ingredients.

You can even use leftover carrots to make this pleasant recipe.

Whether you use the dish as a side dish or dipping sauce, it will add a nice flavor and texture to your bites.

Sweet-glazed vegetables also work well alongside rich proteins - see honey glazed salmon side dish ideas for similar pairings.

6 - Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

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Fingerling potatoes feature a healthy flavor and make great side dishes.

They're easy to make and so delicious, making them great side dishes.

These fingerling potatoes are relatively smaller in size than regular potatoes, with a naturally sweet flavor.

This makes them flexible ingredients to make side dishes for various platters.

When you roast these fingerling potatoes, the flavor is enhanced.

The smoky flavor also adds to the deliciousness of lamb shanks, while the potatoes add softness to the texture of the dish.

A bite of these spicy and salted roasted fingerling potatoes will surely excite your palate.

For other root-vegetable roasting ideas that match roasted potatoes, consult roasted carrots side dish ideas.

7 - Cucumber Radish Salad

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Looking for a nice and healthy recipe to enrich the taste of lamb shanks? A healthy salad of fruits and vegetables makes the best side dish any day.

This salad that mixes radishes and cucumbers will take the flavor of your lamb shank dish to a whole new level.

Considering that lamb shanks are a heavy dish, the idea of using a light cucumber radish salad as a side dish would be perfect.

You can even distort the taste of the salad with some sour cream.

If light, chilled cucumber preparations appeal, explore cucumber soup side pairings and salads for complementary ideas.

8 - Couscous Salad

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Couscous is a type of dish that makes great additions to lamb shanks.

This clean dish is made with two different types of grains.

You can also make a distinct dish with a variety of ingredients to get what you strive.

Some of the common ingredients to add to a couscous salad are cranberries, raisins, broccoli, and carrots, among others.

You can also manage with homemade grain for more flavor.

9 - Mint Chutney

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Choosing a side dish of mint chutney to accompany lamb shanks is a great idea if you're looking for a fresher flavor while eating this delicious meal.

This chutney is an Indian dish that is a flavor enhancer for dishes with strong and heavy flavors.

Mint is a whiff of freshness whose fresh flavor can enhance any dish.

So, it would be a good idea to try it out with a delicious grilled lamb shank.

This minty chutney doesn't overpower the flavor of lamb shanks.

It is made with a mixture of different flavorful ingredients, such as cilantro, ginger, jalapeno, and mint.

10 - Irish Mashed Potatoes

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One of the most effortless ways to create a side dish for lamb shanks quickly is to cook up Irish mashed potatoes.

This classic will never let you down.

The good thing is that it doesn't take much time and effort to prepare, and it brings out the flavor of the lamb shanks.

Besides, this side dish is very simple to prepare as it contains only one main ingredient, which is potato.

Both lamb shanks and mashed potatoes are delicious to eat on their own.

So when these two favorite dishes mix, you'll be able to enjoy an appetizing meal that you won't forget.

For other lamb preparations that pair with similar sides, see lamb kofta side dish suggestions and lamb chops side dish ideas.