Slow-Cooked Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Greek Spices
Succulent lamb shoulder slowly braised with garlic, fresh rosemary, and traditional Greek spices for tender, flavorful meat. This greek-inspired lamb ready in about 215 minutes pairs bone-in lamb shoulder, garlic cloves, sliced, fresh rosemary sprigs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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
- 3 lbs bone-in lamb shoulder
- 6 garlic cloves, sliced
- 3 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Using a sharp knife, make 6 small slits all over 3 lbs bone-in lamb shoulder and insert 6 sliced garlic cloves and 3 fresh rosemary sprigs into the slits.
- Step 2: Rub the lamb all over with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Place the lamb in a heavy ovenproof roasting pan and pour 1 cup chicken broth around it.
- Step 4: Cover the pan tightly with foil and slow-cook in the preheated oven for 3 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices, until the meat is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 425°F. Roast uncovered for 15 minutes to brown the exterior.
- Step 6: Remove lamb from oven and drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the pan juices.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Greek Spices take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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-Cooked Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Greek Spices?
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-Cooked Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Greek Spices?
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-Cooked Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Greek Spices for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Cooked Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Greek Spices?
Greek 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.
