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Home ยป Recipes

Published: Feb 9, 2017. Post Updated: Feb 7, 2025

Home ยป Recipes

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder

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Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder - I love a Roast Lamb Shoulder and it is pretty simple to make. What's not to love? Delicious, tender, juicy, moist, falling off the bone meat that is infused with Herbs and Garlic. If you prefer a roast leg of Lamb, why not try The MOST tender Leg of Lamb.

Lamb shoulder in a pan with juices, onions and garlic around it

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder

One of my favourite Sunday roasts is Lamb Shoulder.

It is more tender and delicious then even a leg. The recipe for this and most roasts is very hands off, leaving you to enjoy your weekend unflustered!

I always serve shoulder of lamb with homemade yorkshire's and roast potatoes.

Slow cooked lamb shoulder in tin

The best Sunday Roast

When I first started making roasts which was almost 20 years ago..(OMG how old am i?), I would always use a leg of lamb but I prefer a shoulder because the meat is so tender.

The reason I mentioned how long it has been is because in those days, I really didn't have much of a clue about cooking but could make a roast easily because it is so easy to make a good roast dinner.

This is a meal, I used to make with my mum, so i always think of her when i am making it. Before i was married, Sunday used to be family day and we would all gather at my mums to eat.

Needles to say, i really miss it and get jealous when I think about it every week!

As the number of family members (Kids) have increased, the house has gotten busier and busier and now it is oh so loud and crowded on a Sunday. You have to scream to be heard!

How to make Shoulder of Lamb

Preheat oven to 240 C/220 Fan/Gas Mark 9.
 
Rub the lamb with the olive oil, mustard, spices, herbs, salt and pepper.
 
Make incisions all over the lamb and stuff with Garlic and Rosemary.
Lamb shoulder with mustard, herbs and salt and pepper in roasting tin
 
Rosemary and Garlic being put into incisions in lamb
 
Rosemary being stuffed into incisions
 
Garlic added to tin
 
Onions added to tin

Add onion, and garlic to the roasting tin. Place the lamb shoulder on top. Pour stock around.

Turn the heat down to 170 C/150 Fan/Gas Mark 3.
 
Add 2 layers of foil on top of the roasting tin. Don't close too tightly. Place in the oven and roast for 4 - 5 hours basting regularly.

Remove foil and turn the heat up to 240 C/220 Fan, Gas Mark 9. Roast for 20 minutes. 

Remove from the tin and cover loosely with the foil for 20 minutes before serving. 

Lamb shoulder in tray with potato dauphinoise, roast potatoes and yorkshire puddings to back

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder in tin with large fork to side

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder being shredded with a fork

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder being shredded with a fork

Lamb shoulder in tin on table

HOW LONG TO COOK LAMB SHOULDER

I prefer to slow cook lamb shoulder and as such the temperature I cook at is Gas Mark 3/170C.

For a 1 KG Shoulder - 3 hours.

For a 2 KG Shoulder - 4 - 4.5 hours.

Expert Tips and Notes

Roast Potatoes - You can add these to the shelf underneath the lamb shoulder to cook whilst the lamb is cooking. The Yorkshire Puddings need the oven to themselves!
 
Incisions - Adding herbs and garlic into incisions in the lamb, helps to flavour it beautifully.
 
Marinade - You can marinade the Shoulder up to 3 days in advance.
 
Fridge - If the lamb is in the fridge, remove from the fridge at least 1 hour before cooking. 

How to make Gravy from pan juices

Remove meat from tray and tilt the tin. The fat will separate from the juices and rest on top.
 
Spoon off as much as you can but leave around 1.5 - 2 tablespoons. Scrape the tin to release any stuck bits.
 
Place tray onto the hob over low heat.
 
Once the juices sizzle, stir in 1 tablespoon of Flour whisking fast.
Add 500 ml hot stock and turn heat up. Allow to cook until it thickens. Turn heat down and allow to reduce a little. 

Variations

Herbs- You can add any herbs that you like to this recipe. Oregano, Thyme and Rosemary may feel out of place with the other spices but it works really well. You can skip them if you prefer.

Flavourings - You can skip the herbs and rub over some Tandoori Paste or Harissa if you like. I love Rose Harissa.

Ground Spices - You can add other spices such as Coriander Powder, Paprika.

Spice Rub - You can also make a spice rub by roasting full spices such as Coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Dry Red Chillies, Black Peppers and then grinding down with some Garlic and Onion to form a paste.

How long does it take to roast a lamb shoulder?

You can roast it as above at a lower temperature or at a higher temperature (200 C/Gas Mark 6) for 45 minutes - 1 hour per kilo. Then add an additional 15 minutes at a higher temperature - 225C/Gas Mark 8.

Can you overcook lamb shoulder?

Not really. You will know it is cooked when it can be easily shred with a fork. Baste regularly and top the stock up if needed.

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder being shredded with a fork

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder being shredded with a fork

More Roast Recipes:

The most tender Leg of Lamb

Buttermilk Roast Chicken

Preserved Lemon, Cumin and Thyme Roast Chicken

Roast Chicken and Potatoes

Buttermilk Roast Chicken

Slow Cooked Leg of Lamb

Sides:

Crunchy Roast Potatoes

Yorkshire Puddings

The BEST Cauliflower Cheese

Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Potato Dauphinoise

Roast Cauliflower Salad with Zingy dressing

Best baked Mac and Cheese

Korean Garlic Bread

**if you make and enjoy this recipe, please leave a ๐Ÿ’ฌ comment and 5 โญ star rating. please tag us on instagram. we love to see your creations and your feedback helps us to shape future content! we love to hear from you. thankyou

 

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder being shredded with a fork

Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder

Safira
I love a Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder and it is pretty simple to make and loved by all. What's not to love? Delicious, juicy, moist, falling off the bone meat that is infused with Herbs and Garlic.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine british, English
Servings 6
Calories 475 kcal

Ingredients
  

Lamb Marinade

  • 5 lb Lamb Shoulder
  • 4 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 8 Garlic Cloves Crushed
  • 2 inches Ginger Crushed
  • 2 Green Chillies Crushed (optional)
  • 3 tablespoon Mustard English
  • 1 tablespoon Mint Paste
  • 2 tablespoon Dry Oregano Optional
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme Leaves Optional
  • 2 teaspoon Cumin Powder
  • 2 teaspoon Coriander Powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 1 Lemon Juice only
  • Salt & Pepper

For the Incisions

  • 2 cloves Garlic finely sliced
  • Few Sprigs Rosemary

For the Tin

  • 2 large Red Onions Sliced into wedges
  • 2 heads Garlic bottom sliced off
  • 250 ml Lamb Stock or Water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 240 C/220 Fan/Gas Mark 9.
  • Rub the lamb with the olive oil, garlic, ginger, green chilli, mustard, mint, oregano, thyme, cumin, coriander, turmeric, lemon and salt and pepper.ย 
  • Make incisions all over the lamb and stuff with Garlic and Rosemary.ย 
  • Turn the heat down to 170 C/150 Fan/Gas Mark 3.
  • Add onion, and garlic to the roasting tin. Place the lamb shoulder on top. Pour water around. Season some more.
  • Add 2 layers of foil on top of the roasting tin. Don't close too tightly. Place in the oven and roast for 4 - 5 hours.ย Check midway and add more stock if needed.
  • Remove foil and turn the heat up to 240 C/220 Fan, Gas Mark 9. Roast for 20 minutes.ย ย 
  • Remove from the tin and cover loosely with the foil for 20 minutes before serving.ย 

Notes

HOW LONG TO COOK LAMB SHOULDER

I prefer to slow cook lamb shoulder and as such the temperature I cook at is Gas Mark 3/170C.
For a 1 KG Shoulder - 3 hours.
For a 2 KG Shoulder - 4 - 4.5 hours.

Expert Tips and Notes

Roast Potatoes - You can add these to the shelf underneath the lamb shoulder to cook whilst the lamb is cooking. The Yorkshire Puddings need the oven to themselves!
 
Incisions - Adding herbs and garlic into incisions in the lamb, helps to flavour it beautifully.
 
Marinade - You can marinade the Shoulder up to 3 days in advance.
 
Fridge - If the lamb is in the fridge, remove from the fridge at least 1 hour before cooking. 

How to make Gravy from pan juices

Remove meat from tray and tilt the tin. The fat will separate from the juices and rest on top.
 
Spoon off as much as you can but leave around 1.5 - 2 tablespoons. Scrape the tin to release any stuck bits.
 
Place tray onto the hob over low heat.
 
Once the juices sizzle, stir in 1 tablespoon of Flour whisking fast.
Add 500 ml hot stock and turn heat up. Allow to cook until it thickens. Turn heat down and allow to reduce a little. 

Variations

Herbs- You can add any herbs that you like to this recipe. Oregano, Thyme and Rosemary may feel out of place with the other spices but it works really well. You can skip them if you prefer.
Flavourings - You can skip the herbs and rub over some Tandoori Paste or Harissa if you like. I love Rose Harissa.
Ground Spices - You can add other spices such as Coriander Powder, Paprika.
Spice Rub - You can also make a spice rub by roasting full spices such as Coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Dry Red Chillies, Black Peppers and then grinding down with some Garlic and Onion to form a paste.

How long does it take to roast a lamb shoulder?

You can roast it as above at a lower temperature or at a higher temperature (200 C/Gas Mark 6) for 45 minutes - 1 hour per kilo. Then add an additional 15 minutes at a higher temperature - 225C/Gas Mark 8.

Can you overcook lamb shoulder?

Not really. You will know it is cooked when it can be easily shred with a fork. Baste regularly and top the stock up if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 50gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 152mgSodium: 536mgPotassium: 885mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 103IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 6mg
Keyword Lamb Shoulder, Roast Dinner, Slow cooked lamb shoulder, Sunday Roast
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

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hey...Iโ€™m safira! I share accessible Global Recipes as well as Baking recipes for home cooks. One of my passions is to teach home cooks to become more confident in the kitchen and this comes with time and experience.

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