Lamb Lover’s Delight: How to Cook Lamb Shoulder in the Oven for Ultimate Tenderness
If you’ve ever wondered how to cook lamb shoulder in the oven so it turns out meltingly tender, this recipe is your answer. With heaps of love and patience, behold this 12-hour slow cooked lamb shoulder: juicy, bursting with flavour and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
What’s great about this dish is its ‘set it and forget it’ nature. Let’s be real, not every family has a minimum of 30 guests ready to celebrate Easter or Christmas with a lamb on the spit. Some families do have quieter affairs with just a handful of friends. Doing a whole lamb on the spit sometimes doesn’t make sense for a smaller crowd, so this recipe is a gem for those looking for delicious food without the hefty effort or cost.
I marinated this beauty overnight, popped it in the oven on low, and hit the hay. Come morning, the heavenly scent of slow cooked lamb greeted me, and by noon, this tender masterpiece was ready for lunch.
Your guests will swear you toiled away in the kitchen for hours, but truthfully, the hardest part was resisting a taste test before they arrived.
If you’re looking for something to pair with this dish, lemon potatoes and a fresh greek salad is the perfect combination.
Ingredients
Method
- Coat lamb with olive oil, lemon, garlic, salt and pepper
- Cut onions in quarters and add to oven dish.
- Leave the used lemons in the dish too
- Pop it in the fridge covered for 30 minutes to 2 hours. The longer the better!
- Pour stock into dish to cover the meat 3/4 of the way. Depending on the size of your dish, you may need the whole cup of stock to reach the meat 3/4 of the way or you may need less. So long as the meat is covered 3/4 of the way, you’re good to go.
- Slow cook on 100°C fan for 12 hours with lid on
- After 12 hours remove lamb from oven and allow to rest for 20 minutes.
- Transfer meat to a tray and baste lamb with olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper and oregano.
- Turn oven to 275°C fan. Once oven gets to that temperature add meat to the oven for 8 minutes or until the top of the meat has began to crisp.
- Remove from the oven and separate meat with tongs. The meat should easily fall apart.
- Sprinkle parsley to garnish. Add more salt and pepper here if you think it needs it.
- Serve and EAT!
FAQs: Lamb Shoulder Recipe
1. Can I use a different cut of lamb instead of lamb shoulder?
Absolutely! While lamb shoulder is preferred for its tenderness and flavour when slow-cooked, I have personally tried using lamb leg as well. However, I found that lamb shoulder tends to be more tender and succulent after slow cooking. I would recommend sticking with lamb shoulder for this recipe, but if you only have lamb leg available, you won’t be disappointed either way.
2. What can I use if I don’t have beef stock?
If you don’t have beef stock on hand, you can substitute it with chicken stock or vegetable stock.
3. Can I marinate the slow cooked lamb for longer than 2 hours?
Yep, the longer, the better, even overnight for a richer flavour. The longer marination time allows the flavours to meld together and infuse into the meat more deeply, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
4. Can I prepare this recipe in advance for a special occasion?
Yes, this recipe is perfect for preparing in advance! You can marinate the lamb and slow cook it the day before your gathering. After slow cooking, let it cool, cover, and refrigerate overnight. On the day of your event, simply chargrill the lamb before serving to add a delicious crispy exterior.
5. What should I do if my slow cooked lamb shoulder is still tough after 12 hours?
If your lamb shoulder is still tough after 12 hours, first, double-check that you actually turned on the oven! Kidding aside, if it’s still not tender, give it some extra time. Sometimes, lamb just needs a little more love and patience. Increase the cooking time and ensure the meat is fully submerged in liquid to help break down those stubborn fibres. Before you know it, you’ll have melt-in-your-mouth lamb goodness!
6. Can I use a slow cooker instead of an oven for this recipe?
Yes, you can definitely use a slow cooker! Follow the same steps for marinating the lamb and placing it in the slow cooker with beef stock. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or until the lamb is tender and falls apart easily. Slow cookers are a convenient option for this recipe, allowing you to set it and forget it until mealtime.
7. Can I add vegetables to the dish while slow cooking the lamb?
Absolutely! Adding vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions can enhance the flavors of the dish and create a complete meal. Cut the vegetables into large chunks and place them around the lamb in the baking dish or slow cooker. They will absorb the delicious juices from the lamb as it cooks, resulting in tender and flavourful vegetables alongside your perfectly cooked lamb.