Slow-Cooked Lamb with Tomato and Olive Ladera

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

Tender lamb simmered slowly in a rich tomato sauce with olives and herbs, embodying the classic Greek 'ladera' olive oil braised style. This Greek-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 165 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks, extra virgin olive oil, large onion, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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

• 2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
• 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup water or broth
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder chunks and brown on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deeply caramelized.
2. Step 2: Add 1 chopped large onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Pour in 1 cup water or broth.
4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer gently for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley just before serving. Serve with crusty bread or roasted potatoes to soak up the flavorful sauce.