Slow-Braised Lamb with Aleppo-Inspired Spice Blend

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender lamb slow-braised in a rich tomato and Aleppo pepper sauce, accented with warm Middle Eastern spices. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 165 minutes pairs bone-in lamb shoulder, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs bone-in lamb shoulder with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear the lamb pieces for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Remove the lamb and reduce heat to medium. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until it darkens slightly and smells rich.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp Aleppo pepper flakes, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Return the lamb to the pot, submerge in sauce, cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until the lamb is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Lamb with Aleppo-Inspired Spice Blend take to make?

Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Braised Lamb with Aleppo-Inspired Spice Blend?

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 bone-in lamb shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Lamb with Aleppo-Inspired Spice Blend?

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 Slow-Braised Lamb with Aleppo-Inspired Spice Blend 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 Slow-Braised Lamb with Aleppo-Inspired Spice Blend?

Middle Eastern lamb 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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