Slow-Braised Lamb with Mediterranean Olive and Tomato Ragout
Tender lamb slow-cooked in a savory tomato sauce with briny olives and fresh herbs, capturing the essence of Mediterranean flavors. This mediterranean-inspired lamb (mediterranean) ready in about 170 minutes pairs pounds bone-in lamb shoulder, tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in lamb shoulder
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup, pitted and halved Kalamata olives
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 pounds bone-in lamb shoulder, searing on all sides for 5-7 minutes until deeply browned, then remove lamb and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine, scraping browned bits from the bottom of the pot, and cook for 3 minutes until reduced by half.
- Step 4: Add 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Return lamb to the pot, nestling it into the sauce. Add 1 cup water, cover with the lid, and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 2 1/2 hours until lamb is fork-tender.
- Step 6: Remove rosemary and thyme sprigs before serving. Serve lamb with the tomato and olive ragout spooned over, accompanied by crusty bread or roasted vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Lamb with Mediterranean Olive and Tomato Ragout take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 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 Mediterranean Olive and Tomato Ragout?
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 pounds bone-in lamb shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Lamb with Mediterranean Olive and Tomato Ragout?
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 Mediterranean Olive and Tomato Ragout 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 Mediterranean Olive and Tomato Ragout?
Mediterranean 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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