The Shankwich with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Slow-cooked Wild Things Ranch lamb shank packed into warm pita with crunchy toppings and a tangy garlic yogurt drizzle. It’s a bold, no-fuss meal made for any night of the week.

Lamb shanks: not just for winter.

We raise Icelandic lamb here at Wild Things Ranch, and one of my favorite cuts often gets overlooked: the humble shank. Most people think “stew meat,” but hear me out—shanks can be fresh, bright, and insanely easy to cook.

This is the kind of dinner you throw in the crockpot while you work or wrangle your kids. By the end of the day, you’ve got tender, fall-apart lamb ready to be stuffed into warm pita, layered with avocado, slaw, pickles, queso, and a garlic yogurt sauce that brings it all together.

We call it The Shankwich, and it’s every bit ranch-raised, flavorful, and weeknight-friendly.

The Shankwich with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Serves: 2–3
Cook Time: 6–8 hours (slow cooker)
Difficulty: Easy
Vibe: Weeknight meal with weekend flavor

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Ingredients

Lamb Shank:

• 1 large Wild Things Ranch lamb shank (or two small)

• Salt + pepper

• Optional: ½ onion, 2 garlic cloves, splash of broth or water

Garlic Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt

• 1 garlic clove, grated

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Pinch of salt

• Optional: drizzle of olive oil or chopped herbs

Toppings:

• Wickles pickles (or your fave)

• Diced olives

• Tomatoes

• Coleslaw

• Avocado slices

• Crumbled queso-style cheese

• Corn (roasted or fresh)

• Warm pita bread

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Instructions

1. Slow-cook the lamb
Season your Wild Things Ranch lamb shank with salt and pepper. Add to your crockpot with optional aromatics. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, until the meat pulls off the bone easily. Shred and keep warm.

2. Make the sauce
Combine yogurt, lemon, garlic, and salt. Taste and adjust. Chill while the lamb finishes.

3. Warm the pita
Wrap pita in foil and bake at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, or toast on a skillet for 30–60 seconds per side.

4. Build your Shankwich
Layer slaw, lamb, pickles, olives, avocado, corn, tomatoes, queso, and drizzle with sauce. Fold it. Mack down.

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More warm-weather lamb recipes coming soon:

We’re cooking up fresh ways to enjoy lamb this spring and summer. Keep an eye out for:

• Grilled Lamb Skewers with herby yogurt sauce

• Lamb Tacos with crunchy slaw + lime crema

• Lamb Meatball Pita Pockets for a fast, flavorful dinner

Stay tuned—they’re simple, bold, and totally doable, even on a weeknight.