How long you can leave lamb in a slow cooker

How long can you leave lamb in a slow cooker?

It takes a long time to overcook most lamb cuts in the slow cooker. Cuts like the shoulder, shanks and forequarter are much more forgiving than a leg of lamb, and they can stay in the slow cooker for a couple more hours than the recommended cooking time.

However, if you leave lamb in the slow cooker for too long it will become stringy and dry. Although it’s still edible, it won't have the same tender juiciness that you want from slow-cooked lamb. It’s best to follow the recipe (there are lots of slow cooker recipes and lamb recipes below), but these times are a rough guide to how long you can leave your lamb in the slow cooker:

• High: 4-5 hours

• Medium: 5-8 hours

• Low: 8-12 hours

Note: Most slow cookers only have a high or low setting.

If you find that your lamb is still tough after these times, test the meat in 30 minute intervals until it's fork tender.

Slow cooker recipes

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Lamb shanks are more forgiving in a slow cooker, they can stay in for longer than the recommended time while still remaining moist and tender.

These slow cooked sausages are so easy and tasty, there's a reason that they're an old Aussie classic.

This lamb is cooked in a classic Greek marinade and makes a stunning Sunday roast.