Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed Rub
Succulent lamb shoulder slow-roasted with a fragrant dry rub of lemon myrtle and ground wattleseed, delivering tender meat with an aromatic crust. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 240 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, bone-in, lemon myrtle powder, ground wattleseed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 4 lbs lamb shoulder, bone-in
- 2 tbsp lemon myrtle powder
- 1 tbsp ground wattleseed
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp lemon myrtle powder, 1 tbsp ground wattleseed, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, and 3 tbsp olive oil to form a paste.
- Step 2: Rub this lemon myrtle and wattleseed paste evenly over the entire 4 lb bone-in lamb shoulder, pressing it into the meat. Place the lamb in a roasting pan.
- Step 3: Pour 1 cup water into the roasting pan to keep the meat moist during cooking. Cover the pan tightly with foil and roast for 3 to 3.5 hours until the lamb is very tender and the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C).
- Step 4: Remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Roast uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to develop a flavorful crust.
- Step 5: Let the lamb rest covered loosely with foil for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute for a juicy, aromatic roast.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed Rub take to make?
Total time is about 240 minutes (20 min prep + 220 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-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed Rub?
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 lamb shoulder, bone-in from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed Rub?
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-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed Rub 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-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed Rub?
Australian 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.