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Easter Roasted Lamb Shoulder Slow and Tender

Easter roasted lamb shoulder offers tender slow-cooked perfection with spring roast dinner ease. Discover our easy recipe and try now! (Check: 140 characters...
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinners
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 kg lamb shoulder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 lemon, sliced

Method
 

  1. Start by patting your lamb shoulder completely dry with paper towels—this is actually crucial for getting that crispy skin. Mix together the minced garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, rosemary, and mint in a small bowl. Rub this spice mixture all over the lamb shoulder, really getting it into the crevices and seams. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes so the seasoning can really bond with the meat.
  2. Preheat your oven to 325°F while the lamb rests. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe roasting pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully place the lamb shoulder in the hot pan and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until you get a beautiful golden-brown crust. Don't move it around—let it sit and develop that color.
  3. Once you've got that gorgeous sear on all sides, arrange the lemon slices around the lamb in the pan. Drizzle the honey over the top of the lamb shoulder, letting some of it pool in the pan. Pour about 1 cup of water into the pan (not over the lamb itself) to create steam. This keeps everything moist during the long cook time.
  4. Cover the roasting pan loosely with foil and place it in the preheated 325°F oven. You'll roast it for about 3 hours and 30 minutes, checking after the first 2 hours. I always rotate the pan halfway through for even cooking, though honestly some ovens heat unevenly anyway so don't stress too much about perfection.
  5. The lamb is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 160°F for medium (I personally prefer 165°F). The meat should shred easily with a fork when it's ready. Don't panic if it looks a little wet when you pull it out—that's just the cooking liquid and it'll evaporate while the lamb rests.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven and carefully tent it with foil for about 15 minutes before carving. This resting time lets the juices redistribute so you don't lose all that tenderness when you cut into it. Transfer the lamb to a cutting board and pour the pan drippings into a bowl for serving as a quick sauce.
  7. Slice or shred the lamb shoulder depending on how you want to serve it—slices look nicer for plating, but shredded works great for feeding a big group. Spoon those caramelized pan juices over the top and garnish with fresh herbs if you've got them. That's it—you've got yourself a show-stopping Easter roasted lamb shoulder recipe that tastes way more complicated than it actually is.