In this recipe, local, organic Shetland lamb shoulder is rubbed in a blend of Moroccan spices before being seared and slow-cooked with tomatoes, chickpeas and apricots until the lamb is fall-off-the-bone tender. Includes both oven and slow-cooker recipe instructions.
This recipe was originally published in January 2012 and was republished with new photos and information in May 2021.
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- Lamb shoulder – perfect for slow cooking
- What to serve with this slow-cooked lamb shoulder recipe
- What you’ll need…
- How to make it…
- Does the shoulder of lamb have a bone?
- Is lamb shoulder fatty?
- Should you seal lamb before slow cooking?
- What is lamb shoulder good for?
- Morrocan Slow-cooked Lamb Shoulder Recipe
- Pin this recipe for later
- Other lamb recipes you might like
Lamb shoulder – perfect for slow cooking
The shoulder of lamb is one of the most perfect cuts of meat for slow cooking. It’s also one of the most environmentally sustainable meats (I’m talking Scottish hill-farmed sheep here from your local butchers, not New Zealand lamb from the supermarket).
The lamb’s shoulder is a muscle that works hard during its short lifetime, which means it’s packed full of flavour. However, because it has had to work hard, it benefits from slow cooking to make it tender. It’s a less expensive alternative to the leaner leg of lamb, making it a valuable, nutritious ingredient for family meals.
Slow cooking this cut of lamb with the bone-in will add even more flavour to the finished dish.
What to serve with this slow-cooked lamb shoulder recipe
This recipe pairs really well with jewelled couscous with puy lentils and pomegranate, hummus, a simple layered tomato salad and a flatbread like Baladi or khobez.
I also like to serve some plain natural yoghurt drizzled with a little lemon-infused olive oil and sprinkled with paprika.
Although this recipe takes a long time to slow cook, leftovers taste even better the following day.
You can also freeze this recipe for later, defrost and reheat it for an effortless midweek meal later!
What you’ll need…
- Spices – use whole cumin, coriander and fennel seeds, toasted and freshly ground for maximum flavour, and cayenne pepper and cinnamon sticks.
- Lamb shoulder – something locally and ethically reared. Mine comes from Uradale Farm.
- Olive oil – for searing the meat before slow cooking. This keeps in moisture and adds to the flavour.
- Brown onion – finely chopped for a base flavour.
- Tomato paste – adds a tomato richness to the sauce.
- Lamb stock – ideally made from scratch (check out my bone broth recipe), but a stockpot works too. Can substitute with chicken stock.
- Chickpeas – tinned is fine. Wash and drain them well before using. Alternatively, soak and cook 125 grams of dried chickpeas.
- Dried apricots – add a delicious fruity flavour to the dish. Substitute with raisins or figs if you wish (or a mixture of all three).
- Tinned tomatoes – whole tinned plum tomatoes in tomato juice are ideal for this recipe, but regular tinned chopped tomatoes will work, too.
- Fresh ginger – imparts warmth and flavour to the dish.
- Lemon zest – brings out the other flavours in the finished dish.
- Fresh coriander leaves – to garnish.
How to make it…
- Rub the toasted, ground spices mixed with salt into the lamb.
- Heat a splash of olive oil in a shallow casserole pan and brown the meat. Set aside or place into a slow cooker if using.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in the same pan and saute the onions and any remaining spice mixture until softened.
- Add the tomato puree, stock, chickpeas, apricots, cinnamon sticks, ginger and lemon zest and bring to a boil.
- Return the meat to the pan or add the liquid to the slow cooker bowl.
- Cover and slow cook in a preheated 140 °C (fan)/ 160 °C/ gas mark 3 oven for 3 1/2 – 4 hours or for 5-8 hours in a slow cooker.
Click here for the full recipe instructions (including slow cooker instructions)
Does the shoulder of lamb have a bone?
Yes, and we recommend buying a whole bone-in lamb shoulder for the best flavour, however, you can get boneless shoulder of lamb which is perfect for stuffing and roasting. Alternatively, you can buy a cubed lamb shoulder.
Is lamb shoulder fatty?
Yes, and this is why it tastes so good. Slow-cooking lamb shoulder makes it even more tender and delicious.
Should you seal lamb before slow cooking?
No, you don’t really need to if you’re short of time. Contrary to popular belief, browning the meat does not lock in moisture before slow cooking. However, it does add to the flavour of the finished dish. It also looks nicer, I feel, especially if you are serving the lamb shoulder whole instead of shredded.
What is lamb shoulder good for?
Lamb shoulder, because it’s a tougher, fattier cut of lamb, is good for slow cooking and stewing. You might like my easy gluten-free lamb curry recipe, which is made from cubed lamb shoulder.
Recipe Difficulty Levels
Easy
Requires basic cooking skills and ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.
Moderate
Requires more experience, preparation and/or cooking time. You may have to source special ingredients.
Challenging
Recipes requiring more advanced skills and experience and maybe some special equipment.
Morrocan Slow-cooked Lamb Shoulder Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp whole cumin seeds
- 2 tsp whole coriander seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1.5 tsp Shetland sea salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1.5 kg lamb shoulder bone-in weight
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 250 ml lamb stock
- 400 grams tinned chopped tomatoes
- 400 grams tinned chickpeas
- 150 grams dried apricots coarsely chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger root minced
- 1 lemon zest only
- fresh coriander leaves to garnish
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Equipment
Instructions
- Toast your cumin, coriander and fennel seeds in a dry pan. Grind to a coarse powder in a mortar and pestle.
- Mix the toasted spices with the cayenne, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the outside of the lamb shoulder.
- Heat half of the oil in a large casserole dish (or saute pan) and sear the outside of the lamb all over. Set aside, or place in a slow cooker, if using.
- Heat the remaining oil in the casserole dish and saute the onions with any spice mixture which may be left in the bowl. Cook the onions for approximately five minutes, until softened.
- Add the lamb stock and deglaze the pan, scraping up any tasty browned bits leftover from browning the lamb.
- Add the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, cinnamon sticks, ginger, lemon zest, chickpeas and apricots.
- Return the browned lamb to the casserole dish, or add the liquid ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Slowly cook the lamb in the centre of the oven for 3.5-4 hours, or set the slow cooker for 8 hours on low.
- Serve the lamb whole, or shredded mixed into the sauce and garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
Crunchy Cricket Granola
I made this a month ago and it was such a hit that everyone has asked for it again today, Easter Sunday, instead of traditional lamb!
Last time I improvised a bit with the spices, using a Moroccan mix of spices rather than all the separate spices and it was amazing. I also left out the tomato puree as I didn’t have any. I added extra apricots for even more sweetness. It’s the kind of dish that doesn’t rely on you following the receipt exactly- which really suits me as I am usually missing something! I also only cooked it for 3 hours instead of 4 as it was getting late! Again, no problem. I bet it’s always delicious no matter what you do. My new favourite lamb recipe! Thank you for sharing it.
Fantastic! I am so glad you like it! I’m the same way with this recipe, it’s just sort of ‘guidelines’ and I adapt depending on what mood/ingredients I’ve got. It’s very forgiving, and leftovers freeze excellently!
Came across this recipe and made it for a birthday dinner yesterday with a salt marsh lamb shoulder, home made naans and your jewelled couscous recipe. Everyone loved it, and plenty of leftovers. Thank you!
Oh wow, thank you so much for letting my recipes be a part of your birthday celebrations and I am delighted it went down well! Thank *you*!
You forgot to mention adding the chopped tomatoes. . .
Oh my goodness, so I did. Remedied! Thank you for letting me know!
Love all of the flavors, and the lamb is so tender from being slow cooked.
The lamb looks mouthwatering tasty. I love the use of all the spices to make it so flavourful. Definitely a recipe worth trying out.
I love everything about this recipe and how you plated it. I know what I’m making this weekend!
That lamb looks so meltingly tender! I wish I had a bowl right now!
So much great flavor in this recipe! The lamb comes out so tender and delicious.
I’ve loved the slow cooker over the past few weeks! I’ve made a lot of pork, it will be great to add some variety and cook lamb soon! Thanks for the recipe!
Perfect for these cold days
Ooh, that looks gorgeous. I think there’s something celebratory about a whole leg of lamb – maybe I associate it with Easter growint up or something – and that looks fabulous in it’s bed of spiced chickpeas – oh yes – this is another one to come back to – as soon as my local farm shop’s offer of the week is leg of lamb. mmmmmmmm
I know what you mean Heather. It’s almost primal 🙂
Fabulous recipe and result! This Moroccan lamb shoulder was accompanied by Elizabeth’s Moroccan-style roast potato wedges, and a mixed salad and wraps. Highly recommended! Thank you
Thank you!! I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, and you’ve made my day with your fantastic feedback!
HI,
Only found your site a few weeks ago and love it and have a real interest now in all things Shetland.
Thought I’d let you know that I made this (using your recipe for Chicken stock with apple cider vinegar) last week for Easter Sunday and it was also my Hubsand’s birthday, it went down a real treat, so tasty, ….. have to decide what to try next.
Cheers
Maura
I’m so glad you liked it! This is one of our favourite dishes too 🙂 Thank you for leaving such lovely feedback, and happy cooking!
Can I do this in a tagine?
Absolutely!
Should the lamb be covered whilst it’s slowly cooking in an oven for 3.5 to 4 hours?
Yes, make sure the lamb is covered through cooking.