Description
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder is a melt-in-your-mouth dish with rich, aromatic flavors. The tender, juicy meat is infused with warm spices and slow-cooked to perfection, making it ideal for family gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
1 whole lamb shoulder (bone-in, ~1.5–2.5 kg)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp olive oil or ghee
1 onion, sliced
1 cup water or lamb stock
Optional: bay leaves, whole cardamom pods
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat: Pat the lamb shoulder dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves. Rub this spice mix all over the lamb shoulder, along with the minced garlic and olive oil or ghee.
- Optional Sear: Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and sear the lamb shoulder on all sides until browned (about 4-5 minutes per side). This step is optional, but it helps deepen the flavor.
- Slow Cook: In a large, oven-safe pot or roasting pan, layer the sliced onions on the bottom. Place the lamb shoulder on top of the onions. Pour in the water or stock, ensuring the liquid doesn’t cover the meat entirely but reaches the bottom of the pan. Optionally add bay leaves or whole cardamom pods for additional aroma. Cover the pot tightly with foil or a lid.
- Oven Roasting: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Place the covered pot in the oven and cook for 4–6 hours. The lamb will be ready when it is buttery tender and pulls away easily from the bone.
- Serve: Once the lamb is cooked, remove it from the oven. Spoon some of the rendered juices over the meat when plating. Optionally, broil for 5 minutes to crisp the top if you prefer a more roasted texture.
Notes
- Spices: Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, turmeric, or saffron for a unique twist.
- Herbs: Add fresh rosemary or thyme for an herbaceous flavor that complements the lamb.
- Vegetables: Add root vegetables like carrots and potatoes to the roasting pan for a one-pot meal.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
