This rosemary garlic and honey slow-cooked lamb shoulder is truly a masterpiece of a lamb roast. Tender, juicy meat on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and coated in a luscious caramelized sauce. This lamb dish is ideal for special occasions like weekends, Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving.
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Best Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder Roast
Weekends and holidays call for a delicious lamb roast, and this recipe is hands down the best I've ever made.
The key to perfection lies in scoring the lamb deeply to allow the flavors of rosemary and garlic to penetrate the meat thoroughly.
Slow-cooked with red wine and water, the lamb develops a succulent texture and a rich, flavorful pan sauce. A final touch of honey adds a sweet and sticky glaze to the roast.
This dish is a showstopper for any festive gathering, and I plan to make it the centerpiece of my Christmas feast.
Ingredients For Lamb Roast
- Lamb shoulder - bone-in, about 1.3-1.5kg, perfect for serving 4-5 people.
- Rosemary - fresh sprigs, chopped, or dried herbs as a substitute.
- Garlic - cut into long pieces for easy insertion into the lamb.
- Seasoning - salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Honey - for a sweet glaze.
- Red wine - adds depth and flavor to the sauce.
How To Make My Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder
For detailed instructions and the full recipe card, refer to the section below. Here's a brief overview of the cooking process:
- Step 1. Preheat the oven.
- Step 2. Prepare the rosemary and garlic.
- Step 3. Score the lamb and season it.
- Step 4. Place the lamb in a roasting pan with water and wine.
- Step 5. Roast covered, then drizzle with honey.
- Step 6. Roast uncovered until browned.
- Step 7. Rest, carve, and serve with pan sauce.
👩🍳 Recipe tip: Consider adding potatoes or carrots to the pan for a flavorful side dish.
More Lamb Recipes To Try
Full Recipe
How Much Lamb Meat Per Person?
When cooking lamb shoulder, consider that the meat will shrink during roasting, resulting in a smaller yield than expected.
An average 1.5 kg lamb shoulder typically provides around 700-800g of cooked meat, sufficient for about 5 people.
For larger gatherings, plan to cook multiple lamb shoulders to ensure ample servings.
Lamb Leg vs Lamb Shoulder
Lamb shoulder offers a richer flavor and juicier texture due to its higher fat content and connective tissue.
Slow-cooking is ideal for lamb shoulder to allow the fat to render and create succulent meat.
Lamb leg, on the other hand, is leaner and requires careful cooking to prevent toughness.
Both cuts can be enhanced with rosemary, garlic, and honey for a delectable dish.
