Italian Lamb Shank with White Beans
Italian Lamb Shank with White Beans is a hearty, rustic dish featuring slow-braised lamb shank served over a bed of creamy white beans, often cannellini. It's a classic example of Italian comfort food, typically flavored with a soffritto base, tomatoes, herbs like rosemary and sage, and red or white wine. This dish originates from central and northern Italy, particularly regions like Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, where braising is a traditional cooking method.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This is a high-protein, high-fat dish with a moderate amount of carbohydrates, primarily from the beans. It's an excellent source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins from the lamb, plus fiber and plant-based protein from the beans. A typical serving provides approximately 600-700 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 650 kcal |
| Protein | 45 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 38 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Iron | 5.5 mg |
| Zinc | 8.2 mg |
| Potassium | 920 mg |
| Phosphorus | 380 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 4.8 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 12 mg |
| Selenium | 32 mcg |
| Magnesium | 95 mg |
Per 1 lamb shank with sauce and 1 cup (240 g) of cooked white beans · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this dish embodies the Italian philosophy of 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking), transforming a tough, inexpensive cut of meat into a tender, flavorful meal through slow cooking. Nutritionally, the combination of animal and plant proteins creates a complete amino acid profile, while the beans' fiber helps balance the richness of the lamb.
