Slow-Cooked Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle Lamb Shoulder

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

A tender lamb shoulder infused with earthy wattleseed and citrusy lemon myrtle, slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth soft. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 260 minutes pairs bone-in lamb shoulder, wattleseed powder, lemon myrtle powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Australian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp wattleseed powder, 1 tbsp lemon myrtle powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Rub the seasoning mix all over the 3 lb lamb shoulder, making small incisions to insert 5 sliced garlic cloves evenly into the meat.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the lamb shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes until browned and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour 2 cups beef broth into the pot, add 3 fresh rosemary sprigs and 1 tbsp lemon zest, then cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the pot to the oven and slow-cook for 3.5 to 4 hours until the lamb is fork-tender and pulling apart easily.
  6. Step 6: Remove the lamb from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding for serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle Lamb Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle Lamb Shoulder?

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 Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle Lamb Shoulder?

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 Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle Lamb Shoulder 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 Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle Lamb Shoulder?

Australian slow cooker 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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