Tender Fall-Apart Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder Recipe

The aroma of a perfectly seasoned slow roasted lamb shoulder instantly transports you to rustic Mediterranean kitchens.

Tender meat falls away from the bone with the gentlest touch.

Herbs and spices meld together, creating a symphony of rich, deep flavors that dance across your palate.

Succulent and moist, this lamb shoulder promises a dining experience that feels like a warm embrace from the culinary gods.

Each bite tells a story of patient cooking and carefully selected ingredients.

The slow roasting method ensures every morsel is infused with robust, hearty goodness.

Get ready to savor a meal that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Step-by-Step Slow Roast Lamb Shoulder Guide

• Lamb Preparation

Unwrap the lamb shoulder and let it sit at room temperature, allowing flavors to awaken and meat to relax before cooking.

• Flavor Fusion

Blend a zesty marinade using bright, tangy ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, herbs, and seasonings to create a vibrant sauce that will infuse the meat with deep, complex flavors.

• Seasoning Ritual

Gently score the lamb’s surface and massage with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper to enhance its natural richness and create a delectable crust.

• Aromatic Base

Create a cozy bed of sweet onion rings and crushed garlic in a roasting pan, which will nestle the lamb and release subtle, comforting aromas during cooking.

• Slow Transformation

Cover the pan with foil and roast at a gentle temperature, allowing the lamb to become incredibly tender and develop rich, mouthwatering flavors over several hours.

• Crispy Finale

Uncover the lamb, boost the oven temperature, and let the outside caramelize into a gorgeous golden-brown crust that signals a perfectly cooked dish.

• Resting and Serving

Allow the lamb to rest, letting its juices redistribute, then drizzle with the reserved sauce for a final burst of flavor before presenting this show-stopping meal.

Lamb Tips & Seasoning Tweaks for Rich Flavor

• Expert Tips & Twists
• Let the lamb soak in the sauce overnight for deeper, more intense flavor that penetrates every fiber of the meat.
• Swap water with red wine or beef broth to add rich, complex undertones that elevate the entire dish's taste profile.
• Replace mint with rosemary or thyme for a different aromatic experience that complements the lamb's natural richness.
• Introduce ground cumin or smoked paprika to the sauce for a warm, smoky kick that transforms the traditional recipe into a bold culinary adventure.
• Toss root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or sweet potatoes around the lamb during the final roasting stage to create a complete one-pan meal with caramelized, flavor-packed sides.

Serving Suggestions for Slow Roasted Lamb

• Pair with Zesty Mediterranean Salad: Toss crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese with fresh herbs to complement the rich lamb flavors.
• Create Rustic Side Plating: Spread roasted lamb over a wooden board with roasted root vegetables like carrots and parsnips for a hearty, inviting presentation.
• Enhance with Wine Pairing: Select a bold red wine like Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon to match the lamb's intense, savory profile and cut through its richness.
• Serve with Warm Flatbread: Offer warm, soft pita or naan bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and create a complete, satisfying meal.

Save and Store Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover lamb in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Package cooled lamb in freezer-safe containers or vacuum-sealed bags, which can maintain quality for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated lamb gently in the oven at 325 F, covered with foil, to prevent drying out and preserve its tender texture. Add a splash of broth or reserved sauce to maintain moisture.
• Slice Before Storing: Cut lamb into smaller portions before refrigerating, making it easier to reheat precise amounts and reducing potential waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Total Time: 4 minutes

Calories: 436 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder

• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Brings bright acidity to balance the rich lamb.
• Sugar: Helps caramelize the sauce and enhance overall sweetness.
• Soy Sauce: Provides complex salty depth and enhances meat's richness.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Contribute intense, concentrated tomato flavor.
• Mint Leaves: Adds fresh, cooling herb notes classic to lamb dishes.
• Parsley: Brings bright, fresh herbal undertones to the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Introduces zesty brightness and helps tenderize meat.

• Lamb Shoulder: Rich, flavorful cut perfect for slow roasting with excellent marbling.
• Olive Oil: Helps create crispy exterior and distributes seasonings.
• Salt: Enhances natural meat flavors and helps create delicious crust.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, spicy notes to complement the lamb.

• Onion: Creates sweet, caramelized foundation for roasting.
• Garlic: Provides deep, pungent flavor that infuses throughout the dish.
• Hot Water: Helps create moisture and steam during slow roasting process.

Tools & Cookware for Slow-Roasting Lamb

• Food processor: Essential for blending the marinade sauce quickly and smoothly.
• Large cutting board: Perfect for preparing and seasoning the lamb shoulder with space to work.
• Roasting pan: Ideal for slow-roasting the lamb with onions and creating a moist cooking environment.
• Aluminum foil: Necessary for covering the lamb during the initial slow-roasting phase.
• Sharp knife: Useful for making slashes across the lamb's surface.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure water and sauce ingredients.
• Meat thermometer: Critical for checking the lamb's internal temperature for perfect doneness.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and moving the lamb during cooking.

Tender Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 4 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mediterranean lamb shoulder offers succulent, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with robust rosemary and garlic notes. Herb-infused meat promises a comforting dinner that connects you to traditional Greek culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 lbs / 1.8 kg bone-in lamb shoulder
• 2 large yellow onions, peeled and cut into thick rings
• 10 cloves garlic (4 roughly chopped, 6 smashed)
• ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves
• ⅓ cup fresh parsley
• 2 lemons, juiced
• ½ cup chopped, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 tsps salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup hot water
• 1 cup water

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Instructions

1. Temperature Preparation: Remove lamb shoulder from refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to equalize temperature, ensuring even roasting.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, mint leaves, parsley, lemon juice, and warm water into a cohesive marinade using food processor.
3. Meat Preparation: Score lamb’s fat layer diagonally, massage with olive oil, season generously with salt and pepper, then coat thoroughly with half the prepared sauce.
4. Roasting Setup: Arrange sliced onions and crushed garlic in roasting pan, place lamb on top, pour water into pan base, and cover completely with aluminum foil.
5. Initial Roasting: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, roast lamb for 3 hours, creating tender, succulent meat through slow cooking process.
6. Caramelization Stage: Uncover lamb, increase oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, roast additional 20-25 minutes to develop rich, golden exterior.
7. Resting and Serving: Confirm internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, rest meat for 20 minutes, then drizzle reserved sauce before presenting to enhance flavor profile.

Notes

• Temper Meat Wisely: Remove lamb from refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
• Score Fat Strategically: Create diagonal cuts in fat layer to help render fat, enhance flavor absorption, and promote crispy exterior.
• Monitor Internal Temperature: Use meat thermometer to check doneness, aiming for 145°F to guarantee succulent, perfectly cooked lamb.
• Rest Meat Patiently: Let lamb rest 20 minutes after roasting to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor retention.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 436
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 707 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 97 mg