Juicy Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Herb Sauce: A Family Favorite

Succulent lamb shoulder is a true masterpiece, turning an ordinary piece of meat into a special dining treat.

When slow-roasted, the tough fibers soften, resulting in tender and flavorful bites that almost melt in your mouth.

Many people love this cooking style because it can make lamb taste amazing.

The herb sauce pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of the roasted meat, adding layers of taste to each bite.

This way of preparing lamb has been cherished for ages in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern kitchens, highlighting how versatile lamb can be as the main dish.

With aromatic herbs and well-chosen spices, this dish promises a meal that will leave everyone craving more.

Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce Ingredients List

• Lamb Shoulder: A tender, flavorful cut perfect for slow roasting, with rich marbling that keeps the meat juicy and succulent. Choose a high-quality, grass-fed lamb shoulder for best results.

• Red Onion, Shallots: Provide sweet, deep flavor base for the roasting process. Fresh, firm vegetables work best.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and richness to the lamb's overall flavor profile.
• Lemon: Brings bright, citrusy notes and helps tenderize the meat. Use fresh, ripe lemons.

• Oregano, Rosemary: Classic Mediterranean herbs that complement lamb's robust flavor. Fresh herbs provide more intense taste.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the lamb's natural taste.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Finishing salt for added texture and flavor burst.

• Dry White Wine: Adds complexity and helps create a flavorful cooking liquid.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and additional depth to the roasting process.

• Mint, Parsley: Fresh herbs that create a bright, vibrant sauce.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds tangy acidity to balance the rich lamb.
• Olive Oil: Helps emulsify the sauce and provide smooth texture.
• Fresno Chile Pepper: Offers optional heat and subtle spiciness.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brings fresh, citrusy brightness to the herb sauce.

Cooking Guide For Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce

Step 1: Prep the Lamb

Remove lamb from refrigerator and pat completely dry with paper towels. Allow meat to reach room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking.

Step 2: Create Roasting Base

• Red onion quarters
• Halved shallots
• Halved garlic cloves
• Halved lemons
• Fresh oregano sprigs
• Rosemary branches

Place lamb skin-side down on herb mixture. Drizzle with olive oil and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Flip lamb skin-side up, adding another drizzle of oil and additional seasoning.

Step 3: Roast and Transform

• Dry white wine
• Chicken broth

Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil. Continue cooking for 3½-4 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender. Remove foil for final 30 minutes of cooking to create crispy exterior.

Step 4: Let the Meat Rest

Transfer lamb to serving platter. Loosely cover with foil and allow to rest for 20-30 minutes. This helps redistribute meat juices, ensuring maximum flavor and tenderness.

Step 5: Craft Vibrant Herb Sauce (Blender Method)

• Fresh herbs
• Shallot
• Garlic
• Vinegar
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil

Purée until smooth. Add sliced fresno chile for extra kick.

Step 6: Alternative Sauce Preparation (Food Processor Method)

Place herbs and aromatics in food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Stream in liquid ingredients while processing. Stir in sliced fresno chile pepper for added heat.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Slice lamb and arrange on platter. Drizzle with herb sauce. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve alongside roasted vegetables from the pan for a complete meal.

Tips For Juicy Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce

• Optimize Meat Tenderness: Let the lamb sit at room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking and maximum juiciness.
• Control Cooking Temperature: Start with high heat to develop a crispy exterior, then lower the temperature for slow, gentle roasting that breaks down tough connective tissues.
• Master Wine Selection: Choose a dry white wine with good acidity to enhance the lamb's rich flavor and help tenderize the meat during braising.
• Elevate Herb Sauce Technique: Use a personal blender or food processor to create a smooth, vibrant sauce that complements the lamb's robust taste.
• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the spiciness by controlling the amount of fresno chile pepper added to the herb sauce, catering to different heat preferences.

Why Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce Feels Fancy

• Master Weekend Cooking: This recipe transforms a challenging cut into melt-in-your-mouth perfection with minimal hands-on effort, making it ideal for leisurely weekend cooking adventures.
• Crowd-Pleasing Centerpiece: Impress dinner guests with a restaurant-quality main dish that looks sophisticated but requires simple preparation techniques anyone can master.
• Flavor-Packed Meal Prep: Create versatile leftovers that taste even better the next day, perfect for sandwiches, salads, or quick reheated meals throughout the week.
• Stress-Free Entertaining: The long, slow roasting process allows you to prepare side dishes or relax while the lamb develops rich, deep flavors without constant monitoring.

How To Store Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce

• Refrigerate: Store leftover lamb in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container. Lamb can be frozen for 2-3 months without losing quality.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place lamb in a baking dish, add a splash of broth to prevent drying, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave: For quick reheating, use medium power in 30-second intervals, checking moisture and temperature to prevent toughness.

Perfect Matches For Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce

• Pair with Bold Red Wines: Select robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that complement the rich, gamey flavor of roasted lamb, cutting through its fatty texture and enhancing the meat's deep, savory profile.
• Create Mediterranean Vegetable Sides: Prepare roasted Mediterranean vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers seasoned with similar herbs used in the lamb, creating a harmonious flavor connection between the main dish and its accompaniments.
• Match with Earthy Grain Salads: Serve a hearty quinoa or couscous salad with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and toasted pine nuts that echoes the herb sauce's brightness and provides a complementary texture to the tender lamb.
• Introduce Crisp Herbal Cocktails: Mix gin-based cocktails with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, mirroring the lamb's herb profile and offering a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, slow-roasted meat.

New Takes On Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce

• Mediterranean-Style Lamb: Replace oregano and rosemary with za'atar spice blend and cumin for a Middle Eastern flavor profile.
• Slow Cooker Alternative: Transfer prepared lamb to a slow cooker instead of oven, cooking on low for 6-8 hours until meat is tender and falling apart.
• Gluten-Free Version: Ensure all broth and wine are certified gluten-free. Substitute regular salt with kosher or sea salt to maintain recipe integrity.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip onions and lemons, focus on herb-infused meat preparation. Replace wine with additional chicken broth to maintain moisture and reduce carbohydrate content.

Questions About Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Herb Sauce

• Why should I bring the lamb to room temperature before cooking?

Bringing the lamb to room temperature helps it cook more evenly, ensuring a tender and juicy result without cold spots in the meat.

• What type of wine works best for this recipe?

A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works perfectly, adding depth and acidity to the lamb’s cooking liquid.

• Can I substitute fresh herbs if I don't have the exact ones mentioned?

Yes, you can substitute similar fresh herbs. For example, swap oregano with thyme or use a combination of fresh herbs you have available.

• How do I know when the lamb is perfectly cooked?

The lamb is done when it’s fork-tender and easily pulls apart. This typically takes 3½-4 hours of slow roasting at a low temperature, followed by an additional 30 minutes uncovered.

Succulent Oven-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Herb Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent oven-roasted lamb shoulder celebrates Mediterranean flavors with a fragrant herb sauce that dances across tender meat. Delicate rosemary and garlic infuse this classic dish, promising a memorable culinary journey that will transport diners to sun-drenched coastal landscapes.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3.5–4 pounds (1.6–1.8 kilograms) bone-in lamb shoulder
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) dry white wine
• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 medium red onions, peeled, halved, and cut into wedges
• 4 medium shallots, peeled and halved
• 2 heads of garlic, halved
• 2 medium lemons, halved
• 10–12 oregano sprigs
• 6 rosemary sprigs

Herb Sauce Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup (160 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• ½ medium lemon, zested and juiced (about 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
• 1 small shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves
• ½ cup fresh parsley
• 1 small garlic clove, peeled
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Optional: 1 medium fresno chile, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Prepare the lamb by removing it from refrigeration and allowing it to reach ambient temperature, patting the surface dry with paper towels to ensure optimal roasting conditions.
2. Preheat the oven to a high temperature of 425°F. Arrange aromatics including red onion, shallots, garlic, lemons, oregano, and rosemary across the bottom of a roasting pan, creating a fragrant base for the lamb.
3. Position the lamb shoulder skin-side down over the herbs, drizzling generously with olive oil and seasoning thoroughly with kosher salt and black pepper. Carefully flip the meat to expose the skin side, repeating the oil and seasoning process.
4. Initiate roasting at the high temperature for 30 minutes, then reduce the oven to 350°F. Pour white wine and chicken broth around the lamb, covering the pan tightly with aluminum foil to create a moist cooking environment.
5. Continue roasting for 3½-4 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. Remove the foil during the final 30 minutes to crisp the skin and concentrate flavors.
6. After removing from the oven, allow the lamb to rest under a loose foil tent for 20-30 minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices and ensures maximum tenderness.
7. For the herb sauce, blend shallot, mint, parsley, garlic, and salt until finely chopped. Incorporate red wine vinegar, lemon zest, and juice, then slowly stream in olive oil while processing.
8. Finish the sauce by stirring in thinly sliced fresno chile pepper for a subtle heat. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve alongside the succulent roasted lamb, garnishing with flaky sea salt if desired.

Notes

• Ensure the lamb reaches room temperature before cooking to guarantee even cooking and tender meat.
• Pat the lamb dry completely to help achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior during roasting.
• Choose a high-quality, fatty lamb shoulder for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• For dietary modifications, swap traditional herbs with alternative seasonings like za’atar or herbs de Provence.
• Gluten-free diets can enjoy this recipe without modifications, as it

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg