How to slow cook lamb
A long, slow cook is a wonderful way to cook up a lamb roast that is ultra-tender and just melts in your mouth. The perfect cooked piece of lamb will be tender and juicy, so it's essential to nail the instructions and cooking times for a lamb roast to-die-for every time.
The first step is choosing the right cut of lamb to slow cook. Shoulders, shanks, and leg roasts are great for slow cooking. Leave lamb racks and chops for another recipe, as these leaner cuts won't give you the tender and moist results you want.
How to slow-cook lamb shoulder?
Lamb shoulder is the perfect cut of meat for slow cooking; with lots of fats and tissues, the slow cooking process develops the flavours and produces super juicy results.
- Season your lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic, or even just a little salt and pepper.
- Sear the lamb shoulder in a hot pan to seal in the flavours if you wish, this is not compulsory however, slow cooking it as is works just as well.
- Arrange onion, garlic, and other aromatics into the base of the slow cooker bowl and place your lamb shoulder on top.
- Add enough sauces, stock, wine, or water to come up at least 2cm from the bottom. Cover with the lid and cook on Low for 5-6 hours, or around 3-4 hours on High, depending on the size and model of your slow cooker.
How do you slow-cook lamb shanks?
Lamb shanks are a tough cut of meat that are perfect in the slow cooker, and they're budget-friendly as they are relatively inexpensive.
- Sear lamb shanks in a hot pan until evenly browned, or add to the slow cooker as is.
- Add aromatics such as onion, garlic, herbs, and enough stock, tomato, wine, or water to come 1-2 cm up the side of the slow cooker bowl. Cover with a lid and cook on High for 4 hours, or for around 6-8 hours if cooking on Low.
How do you slow-cook lamb roast?
- Sear lamb roast in a hot pan until evenly browned; otherwise, add to the slow cooker as is.
- Add aromatics such as onion, garlic, herbs, and enough stock, tomato, wine, or water to come 1-2 cm up the side of the slow cooker bowl. Cover with lid and cook High 4 hours or Low 6-8 hours or until lamb flakes easily with a fork.
Slow-cooked lamb recipes
Now you know the basics to slow-cooked lamb, try some of these delicious lamb recipes to really give your dinners a new level of flavour.
GET THE RECIPE: Sri Lankan Lamb Shank Curry by Passage to India
This slow-cooked lamb shank recipe is full of delicate Sri Lankan spices and tender eggplant, making it ultra-warming for the cooler weather.
A whole lamb shoulder is great for feeding a crowd, but if you're feeding fewer people, the leftovers freeze perfectly.
