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Lamb shank

Lamb · Leg
Braise
Raw Lamb shank — Lamb Leg cut
Also called
🇲🇽Chamorro de cordero🇦🇷Garrón de cordero🇫🇷Souris d'agneau🇪🇸Jarrete de cordero🇵🇹Joelho de cordeiro🇧🇷Ossobuco de cordeiro🇮🇹Stinco d'agnello🇩🇪Lammhaxe
→ See all Lamb shank substitutes by country

The lower half of the rear leg — bone-in, with the shin muscle and a substantial shaft of marrow bone. Full of connective tissue and collagen, ideal for braising and slow-roasting. Develops deep, gamey richness over several hours of low-heat cooking, with the meat falling off the bone. A cornerstone of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern lamb preparations and a winter favourite across British and French cuisine.

Names by country

CountryNameNotes
🇺🇸United StatesLamb shankprimary
🇬🇧United KingdomLamb shank
🇲🇽MexicoChamorro de cordero
🇦🇷ArgentinaGarrón de corderoSometimes 'chamorro de cordero' in northern Argentina.
🇫🇷FranceSouris d'agneauLiterally 'lamb mouse' — named for the rounded, mouse-shaped muscle on the shank.
🇪🇸SpainJarrete de cordero
🇵🇹PortugalJoelho de cordeiro
🇧🇷BrazilOssobuco de cordeiroSometimes 'joelho de cordeiro'; the Italian-influenced term 'ossobuco' is widely used in São Paulo.
🇮🇹ItalyStinco d'agnello
🇩🇪GermanyLammhaxe

Free Lamb shank reference card

Diagram, cooking notes, and 8 names on one printable page.

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Similar cuts

Lamb Leg
Lamb Legapproximate

Same primal — the shank is the lower half of the rear leg, sold separately when the leg is broken down for retail. Whole leg is for roasting; shank is for braising.

NeckRackLoinChumpLegShoulderBreast

Classic recipe

Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks3 hr

Three hours of slow oven time turn collagen-dense lamb shanks into spoon-tender meat in a glossy red-wine reduction. Aro…

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More Leg cuts

Lamb Leg

Cordero lechal

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