Serious Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Olives

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply flavorful braised lamb shoulder that rewards patience with tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat and a rich herb-infused sauce. This mediterranean ready in about 200 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 582 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 582 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear lamb in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion to the pot and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp chopped rosemary, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant without browning.
  3. Step 3: Deglaze the pot with 1/2 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half. Add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 cup chicken broth, and 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, stirring to combine. Return seared lamb to the pot, nestling it into the sauce.
  4. Step 4: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 3 hours, checking occasionally and stirring gently, until lamb is fork-tender and sauce has thickened to coat the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Serious Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Olives take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Serious Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Olives?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lamb shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Olives?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Serious Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Olives for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Serious Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Olives?

Mediterranean mediterranean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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