Herb-Roasted Mediterranean Lamb Shoulder with Garlic and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder infused with Mediterranean herbs, garlic, and lemon, resulting in tender, flavorful meat perfect for a hearty meal. This Mediterranean-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 230 minutes, pairs bone-in lamb shoulder, garlic cloves, fresh rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs bone-in lamb shoulder
• 6 cloves, sliced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

The roasting pan we’d use for this → Best Roasting Pans for 2026: Racks, Handles & Sizes for the Holiday Bird

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Score the surface of 4 lbs bone-in lamb shoulder and insert 6 sliced garlic cloves evenly into cuts.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create a marinade.
3. Step 3: Rub the marinade thoroughly over the lamb shoulder, ensuring even coating. Place the lamb in a roasting pan.
4. Step 4: Roast in the preheated oven for 3 to 3.5 hours, basting every hour with pan juices, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving to allow juices to redistribute.