This Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder recipe is so simple and delicious. It cooks slowly, making it’s own delicious gravy sauce and is then glazed with sticky and sweet mint jelly.
However chaotic and busy we’ve been during the week, there’s something so calming about a Sunday roast isn’t there?
Or maybe it’s just because there’s finally time to cook without being in a rush like midweek. Either way, it’s a tradition I love.
I thought I’d share one of my favourite and easiest ways to cook a roast dinner – Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder. (Technically it’s not a ‘roast’ as it’s not cooked in the oven, but it still FEELS like a ‘roast’ to me as it’s a joint of meat.)
This Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder is a winner and here’s why:
- Lamb shoulder is a great value joint.
- This roast lamb takes hardly any preparation.
- It magically creates gravy as it cooks.
FAQs about the Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder recipe
Do I really not have to brown the lamb before cooking?
No. I think you get a much better result with this dish by browning AFTER cooking when a lot of the fat has already cooked off. The result is crunchy on top and soft underneath – YESSSS!
How do I stop the gravy from being too fatty?
I LOVE my Oxo Good Grips Gravy Separator for this. It makes it a doddle to pour off the excess fat. Otherwise you can do it manually by spooning off the layer of fat on top of the cooking liquid.
Do I have to use a lamb shoulder for this?
No, you can use a lamb leg too but it’s quite tricky to fit a whole one into the slow cooker! A lamb leg may take a little less cooking time depending on the size.
How do I cook this so it’s ready for lunchtime?
Good question! You can either put it on overnight and cook it on low for a little longer (it’s very difficult to overcook lamb shoulder) OR use a timer plug to start the slow cooker overnight. Genius!
Do I have to finish this off in the oven?
The short answer is: no. It just gives a delicious crispy golden glaze. You can serve the lamb straight from the slow cooker and it will still be meltingly tender, it just won’t have any colour.
More slow cooked recipes?
- Slow Cooker Beef Curry – No prep, just throw it all in!
- Slow Cooker Ham – Cooked in cider for so much flavour
- Slow Cooker Beef Joint – Another easy Sunday lunch
Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this recipe. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ by the recipe.
Also, if you’d like to show me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations.
Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder with Mint Glaze and Rich Gravy
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Lamb Shoulder
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 Cloves Garlic Peeled and chopped/crushed
- 2 Large Onions Peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 Large Carrots Peeled and chopped into chunks
- 400 ml Lamb stock See Note 1.
- 3 tbsp Cornflour
- 100 g Mint jelly
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce I use reduced salt
Instructions
- Put the garlic, onions, carrots, lamb joint and stock into the slow cooker. Add salt and pepper.
- Cook on HIGH for 10 hours or LOW for 12 hours.
- When cooked, remove the meat to a tin, smother in the mint jelly and bake in the oven at 220C for about 20 - 30 minutes or until browned.
- Remove the carrots and onions and set aside.
To make the gravy:
- Using a spoon or a gravy seperator jug, pour off the fatty layer from the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Discard the fatty part.
- From the remaining cooking juices, remove a small amount of the liquid from the pan (say a tablespoon or two) into a mug or bowl and stir in the cornflour into it until it dissolves. Add a small amount at first and stir in, keep adding until you get a thick paste.
- Add this 'slurry' back into the pan, pour in the soy sauce and stir. You can leave this in your slow cooker on HIGH for about 30 minutes, or if your pan is able to go on the hob, pop onto the hob to bubble for 10 minutes until thick.
Mogivi says
I love these ! Such an easy recipe that is full of flavor!
Katie W says
Hi, is this on or off the bone? Sounds delicious btw !
Sarah Barnes says
Hi Katie, this is on the bone, you could buy a rolled shoulder if you prefer but the bone does give it lots of flavour.
katie says
Glad you said that it was on the bone! It was really tasty and enjoyed by everyone 😋
Kim says
I have bought half a shoulder to try this recipe do I need to alter the timings in the slow cooker?
Joana says
I’m cooking this tomorrow for our Easter lunch!! I can’t wait to taste it!! 😋
Katie Bennett says
Couldn’t resist doing this for Easter Sunday as soon as I saw your new recipe pop up this week. This dinner went down a storm with the whole family, they devoured it and we can’t wait to have it again. Even mum is happy to get up just before 6am to pop it in the slow cooker 😉. Thanks again Sarah for another delicious dish for the meal planner.
Barbara Hall says
I’ve done something similar but with red currant jelly, it was beautiful and I used a leg of lamb this last time.
I shall be trying out this recipe when I have lamb next time
helan says
Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.
Rebekah says
I made this for a get-together, there was so much food, but the lamb was all gone. Delish.
sylvia tompkins says
Just cooked this on Palm Sunday. Absolutely gorgeous,I normally don’t like cooking lamb as I find it so awkward to carve,no need to get the knife out for this. My husband thoroughly enjoyed it too.
Janet says
Wow we have just had this and it’s possibly my favourite toast ever! The flavour is next level! Thank you for sharing this with us! Can’t wait for the book!
Liz says
Just tweaked this for summer , did a smaller joint for a bit less time and shredded it after roasting to go in pittas with salad , tsatziki and fries on the side. It was delicious! Easy peasy and 5 clean plates including from my very hard to please kids! Thank you !!