Costco Lamb Shanks - Honest Review + Better Heating Method
HERBES DE PROVENCE LAMB SHANKS AT COSTCO
I was walking through Costco and looking for a unique, fun meal to try for a weeknight dinner when I came across A La Carte’s Herbes De Provence Lamb Shanks. My wife and I both love lamb shanks and consider it to be quite the treat, so we decided to give it a tray.
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WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT LAMB SHANKS?
Lamb shanks are a special cut of meat for a few reasons. When properly cooked, lamb shanks become incredibly tender and flavorful. The collagen melts into the meat, infusing it with a rich fatty flavor.
They also have a high ratio of meat to bone, especially compared to other cuts of lamb, making them extremely easy to eat and a perfect cold-weather comfort food.
WHAT IS HERBES DE PROVENCE LAMB SHANKS?
These Costco lamb shanks are flavored with Herbes De Provence, but what exactly does that mean? Herbes De Provence originated in the Provence region of southeast France and is a combination of the following herbs:
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Lavender
- Marjoram
- Savory
- Fennel
- Basil
Altogether, the herbs create a smoky, earthy, warm herbal flavor with hints of Mediterranean influences. The seasoning is warm, complex, and delicate at the same time.
COSTCO COST COMPARISON
The Lamb Shanks Cost $7.49 A Pound
Costco sells lamb shanks by the pound, with each pound costing $7.49. My box weighed 2.72 pounds and the total price was $20.41. I noticed in the store that some of the boxes cost as little as $17, while some cost nearly $30.
Remember, each box only contains two shanks, but you can make sure to pick through the boxes and find the size that will be the best fit for your family.
ARE THE LAMB SHANKS A GOOD DEAL?
At $7.49 a pound, the lamb shanks from Costco are a solid buy. My local Tom Thumb sells grass-fed lamb shank from Australia for $7.99 a pound. I don’t know where Costco’s lamb shanks come from, and the box doesn’t mention anything about the lamb being grass-fed, so the quality may not be as high as the Tom Thumb option.
However, at $.050 cheaper per pound and already seasoned and prepared, the Costco lamb shanks still seem to be good value. One thing to note, a significant portion of the weight comes from sauce.
LAMB SHANK TASTE TEST
Since the lamb shanks are already fully cooked and just need to be reheated, I chose to use sous vide rather than either of A La Carte’s recommended heating methods in order to avoid overheating the plastic pouch. I wasn’t sure how the reheating method would work, but everything came out perfect!
As soon as I cut open the bags, I could smell the herbs de Provence seasoning. It reminded me of an earthier Italian seasoning. The flagrant aroma was delightful and I could tell the meat was going to be infused with flavor.
The lamb shank meat was super tender and moist, the meat practically fell off the bone. The taste of the lamb meat was balanced and accentuated by the herbs de Provence.
I thoroughly enjoyed each bite and dipping the lamb meat in the sauce added an extra layer of flavor. For a premade meal, the lamb shank easily exceeded my expectations.
HOW TO COOK COSTCO’S LAMB SHANKS
A La Carte lists two cooking options for the lamb shanks: microwave or stovetop boiling. Unfortunately, both options involve heating the lamb shanks in the plastic pouches they come in.
I’m really not a fan of heating plastic for any reason, so I opted to heat the lamb shank with a sous vide. It does take longer, but I just don’t trust heating up plastic. Yes, this is still heating the lamb shanks in the plastic pouches, but at a lower more controllable temperature.
Microwave Oven
- Remove Herbes de Provence lamb shank.pouches from the box.
- Cut a 1” slit near the end of each pouch of herbes de Provence Lamb Shanks and place it on a microwave-safe dish.
For heating one pouch at a time: - Heat on high for 6 to 7 minutes, or until hot (approximately 130°F).
- Due to varying lamb shank sizes, the heating time is approximate. If the product is not hot enough, return the product to the microwave for an additional 1:30 minutes or until hot.
- Carefully cut open the pouch and pour the contents into a serving dish.
For heating two packages at the same time:
- Heat on high for about 12 minutes (3:30 minutes per pound), or until hot.
- Carefully cut open each pouch and pour the contents into a serving dish.
- Carve and serve.
Stove Top:
- Remove the Herbes de Provence lamb shank pouches from the box.
- Place the lamb shank pouches in 3 quarts of water in a 6-quart stock pot.
- Place stock pot on stove top, heat and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove Herbes de Provence Lamb Shanks pouches from the water and let stand for 2 minutes.
- Carefully open the pouches and pour the contents into a serving dish.
- Carve and serve.
Sous Vide Method
- Heat up the sous vide bath to 130°F.
- Warm lamb shanks for 1 hour.
- Remove from the sous vide, cut open the pouch, carve, and serve.
LAMB SHANK CALORIES AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Each Serving Has 240 Calories
One serving of lamb shanks is 5 ounces and has 240 calories. The 240 calories come from 15 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and 22 grams of protein. The full nutritional label is as follows:
This is a pretty solid nutritional label for lamb shank and it doesn’t look like the added flavor and seasoning adds much to the nutritional table. For comparison, according to Myfitnesspal, one 5-ounce plain lamb shank has 230 calories, 15 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 19 grams of protein.
USER RATINGS AND REVIEWS
Greg Larkin is the founder and managing editor of Costco Food Database, the premiere site for honest takes on all things Costco food. A self-proclaimed Costco super-fan since childhood, Greg turned his obsession in a mission to properly rate and review all of Costco’s delicious buys. When he’s not busy navigating Costco aisles, you can find Greg smoking Kirkland Signature meats, meal prepping, or perfecting his homemade jerky recipes.