BBQ Lamb Shanks - Easy Baked & Grilled BBQ Lamb Shank Recipe (2024)

Give these easy BBQ lamb shanks a try this summer when you’re looking for a great shareable meal that will have you licking your fingers! Baked low and slow then finished on the grill, they’re perfect alongside your favorite summer salad.

*This post is sponsored by the American Lamb Board. All content and opinions are my own.

With the long, hot days of summer in full swing here (seriously, we went from rain almost every day for the entire month of April to basically drought and excessive heat now for over a month), I’m always looking for new recipes to throw on the grill.

Living in NY, our grill stays covered and unused for basically 7+ months of the year so while the weather cooperates, it’s my mission to find ways to use it as often as possible.

I’ve made lots of lamb recipes on the grill before like theseSmoky Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Apricots,Grilled Halloumi Lamb Burgers andPeach Honey Grilled Lamb Chops but really wanted to throw things back to some simple BBQ with this recipe for BBQ lamb shanks.

Ribs are a classic summer staple.

I even made these BBQ Lamb Ribs last summer as a great swap for the traditional pork ribs that tend to pop up at many summer gatherings.

But, this year I thought it’d be fun to try and mimic that approach with another cut of lamb: lamb shanks.

Shanks are usually reserved for cooking methods like braising. I’ve done that in many delicious ways including this amazing fall recipe for Apple Cider Braised Lamb Shanks or this more spring appropriateCitrus Braised Lamb Shanks with Green Harissa recipe.

But, since many recipes for ribs tend to approach the cooking in a similar low and slow way in the oven before finishing quickly on the grill, I figured why not give that a try with lamb shanks?

They’re perfect for a low and slow oven bake just like ribs!

So, just like ribs, I seasoned the heck out of them with a simple dry BBQ rub including spices like brown sugar, paprika, garlic, onion, cumin and mustard then covered them on a heavy duty baking sheet and let them do their thing in the oven at a low temperature of 275°F for 3-4 hours.

When they come out of the oven, the meat is fork tender and easily coming off the bone.

It’s not quite at that “fall apart” state which is perfect because then they have the structure to stay together on the grill.

Finishing the BBQ lamb shanks on the grill isn’t necessarily a “must” but I just love the smoky char grilling imparts especially after slathering with some BBQ sauce (just use your favorite store-bought brand).

The additional BBQ sauce is optional, you can definitely just leave them with the dry rub if that’s your preference as it has SO much flavor itself.

But, I’m totally a sucker for a wet BBQ sauce finish that results in lots of finger licking when it comes to ribs so that’s what I went for with these BBQ rib inspired lamb shanks.

Plus, the sauce sort of caramelizes on the grill and the resulting sticky charred spots are some of my favorites.

I realize the dry vs. wet BBQ debate is a heated one though so just do what you like best!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk a little bit about meat selection when it comes to these BBQ lamb shanks. The quality of the meat makes all the difference in a simple recipe like this.

When it comes to lamb, there’s no other choice than American lamb for me.

The flavor blows all other lamb out of the water.

It’s also important to me to select local options as much as possible when we eat animal products in our house. So supporting farmers and sheep ranchers in the United States over other foreign options just makes sense.

There are more than 80,000 American farmers in the U.S. caring for over 6 million sheep.

Lamb is produced in every state in the country year-round. So, if you don’t see local options in your local market, ask!

It truly does make a difference in taste.

Recipes like these BBQ lamb shanks that feed more than the typical family are usually the kind we enjoy on big occasions with lots of family and friends. Since those gatherings may be a little smaller this year, I hope it’s one you give a try with those nearest and dearest.

I’m already planning to recreate it for a day spent with some close friends at the lake. After a long day on the boat!

The lamb shanks can easily be baked ahead at home and then transported to be finished on the grill right before we eat.

This Creamy Cucumber Salad with Pickled Red Onions, Cucumber Melon Salad or thisTart Cherry Balsamic Grilled Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad all make great side dishes to the BBQ lamb.

Although my gluten-free tabbouleh made with millet might be the most classic combination paired with lamb. It’s great for cookouts too because it can stay out in the heat without issue!

It’s really a great make ahead/prep recipe so entertaining stays simple and you can enjoy less time cooking. Which means more time enjoyingthe company of others. Something I think we all now realize is much more important and coveted than we ever realized before!

There’s always a place at the table for amazing food no matter what the circ*mstances!

Love these BBQ lamb shanks? Try one of these recipes too:

Grilled BBQ Short Ribs
Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs
BBQ Beef Beet Burgers with Avocado Goat Cheese Smash
BBQ roasted chicken with cherry jalapeno sauce