How To Cook Lamb Shoulder In Slow Cooker

Ingredients

Cooking a delicious lamb shoulder in a slow cooker is an easy and tasty way to feed a crowd. To get started, you'll need the following ingredients:

1 (3 to 4 pound) boneless lamb shoulder roast
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Instructions

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to get started:

In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the lamb shoulder.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lamb shoulder and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.
Transfer the lamb shoulder to the slow cooker. Add the tomato paste, beef broth, red wine vinegar, and the remaining spice mixture. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the lamb is tender and falling apart.
Transfer the lamb to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Shred the meat with two forks.
Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and stir in the fresh oregano, parsley, and mint. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Once your lamb shoulder is cooked, there are plenty of ways to serve it. Here are a few ideas:

Serve the lamb in a warm pita with hummus and tzatziki.
Toss the lamb with cooked farro, roasted vegetables, and a lemon-garlic vinaigrette.
Stuff the lamb into a wrap with feta cheese and tzatziki.
Serve the lamb over creamy polenta.
Toss the lamb with cooked noodles, roasted vegetables, and a creamy sauce.
Serve the lamb over a bed of cauli-rice.

Nutrition

Cooked lamb shoulder is an excellent source of protein, iron, and zinc. It is also rich in B vitamins, including B12. One serving of cooked lamb shoulder (3 ounces) contains approximately:

Calories: 205
Total Fat: 9 grams
Saturated Fat: 3.8 grams
Cholesterol: 85 milligrams
Protein: 24 grams
Iron: 2.7 milligrams
Zinc: 4.1 milligrams
Vitamin B12: 2.4 micrograms

Lamb shoulder is an excellent source of important vitamins and minerals. As with all meats, it's important to cook it to the proper temperature (165°F) to ensure safety and quality. Enjoy!