What Is Lamb shoulder and How Can I Use It?

Lamb shoulder is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 34 recipes to get you started.

Nutrition

Where found

Lamb shoulder is usually found in the meats section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Lamb shoulder is a member of the Lamb, Veal, and Game Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does lamb shoulder weigh?

Related

Lamb, Veal, and Game Products

Recipes using lamb shoulder

There are 34 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Mongolian Lamb

Mongolian lamb stir-fry with thin-sliced shoulder, soy sauce, garlic, scallions, and toasted sesame seeds. A quick wok dish with a glossy, savory-sweet sauce.

Lamb Rogan Josh

Lamb rogan josh, the Kashmiri curry, with lamb marinated in spiced yogurt overnight then pressure-cooked fork-tender in a fragrant tomato, ginger, and garam masala gravy. Deeply spiced, not just hot.

Lamb Shoulder in Pastry

Lamb shoulder in pastry, a British-style boneless lamb roast wrapped in flaky pastry and baked golden. A traditional Sunday-dinner centerpiece with countryside roots.

Slavonija Braised Lamb

Croatian braised lamb shoulder in a paprika and tarragon sour cream sauce, served over homemade spaetzle. A rich, warming Eastern European braise with a complete side dish recipe included.

Lamb & Artichoke Chili

Tender lamb shoulder simmered with whole artichoke bottoms in a lime-spiked Mexican chili base. An elegant twist on traditional chili that pairs earthy lamb with the delicate flavor of fresh artichokes.

Irish Lambpot

Irish lambpot: lamb shoulder simmered with turnip, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and marjoram in one pot. Simple, hearty, and ready in just over an hour.

Lamb Chops with Balsamic Sauce

Pan-seared lamb shoulder chops with rosemary and thyme, finished with a quick balsamic reduction sauce made from shallots, chicken broth, and butter. Ready in 35 minutes.

Mid Eastern Lamb Stew

Middle Eastern lamb stew with allspice, cinnamon, turmeric, mushrooms, and plump raisins in a tomato-sherry broth. Boneless lamb shoulder simmered tender with warm spices.

Lamb with Honey & Almonds

Moroccan-style lamb with honey, saffron, almonds, raisins, and chickpeas braised in a clay pot. A fragrant one-pot main dish with warm spices, served over brown rice or bulgur.

Chili with Lamb & Black Beans

A slow-simmered lamb chili with black beans, fresh ginger, allspice, and Zinfandel wine. Beans cook with lamb bones for deep flavor. Best made a day ahead for the richest taste.

Lamb & Tomato Casserole

Slow cooker lamb and tomato casserole simmers lamb shoulder with marjoram, onions, and canned tomatoes until fork-tender, building a deeply savory braise that gets richer overnight. A set-it-and-walk-away dinner.

Pitta Breads with Couscous & Roasted Lamb

Stuffed pitta breads loaded with spice-rubbed roasted lamb, herbed couscous, griddled eggplant, and black olives in a balsamic-ginger dressing. A make-ahead meal that starts with an overnight marinade.

Marlo's Lamb Chops Creole

Lamb chops Creole: shoulder lamb chops braised under a tomato, green pepper, and onion sauce with cayenne and chili powder. Old-school Louisiana home cooking at its best.

Lamb Cacciatore

Italian lamb cacciatore braises cubed lamb shoulder with garlic, rosemary, sage and a splash of vinegar for a rustic, hunter-style one-pot stew. Tangy, tender, and deeply aromatic.

Indian Style Lamb with Sweet Potatoes

Indian-style lamb with sweet potatoes is a one-pot braise of minced lamb, garam masala, ginger and garlic simmered with sweet potato and kale. A light, low-fat curry-style dinner in under 30 minutes.

Yankee Lamb Stew

Yankee lamb stew with braised lamb shoulder, potatoes, turnips, carrots, and peas in a white wine and thyme sauce. Oven-braised in a Dutch oven for fork-tender meat.

Lamb (Rolled & Stuffed)

Rolled and stuffed lamb shoulder with breadcrumbs, bacon, orange zest, and fresh herbs, roasted and glazed with honey and orange juice for a sweet-savory Sunday centerpiece.

Lamb Couscous

Saffron-braised lamb shoulder served over herb couscous with cucumber, red pepper, and fresh mint. A North African-inspired one-pot meal with bright, herby accompaniments.

Lamb with Artichokes & Preserved Lemons

Moroccan lamb tagine with fresh artichoke hearts, preserved lemons, olives, and saffron. A slow-braised North African classic with bright, briny citrus finish.

Stuffed Lamb Shoulder for the Slow Cooker

Boned lamb shoulder stuffed with herbed sausage, rolled, and slow-cooked over carrots, celery, and onions until fall-apart tender. Set it and forget it for 10 to 12 hours.

Lamb & Sausage Couscous

Braised lamb shoulder and merguez-style sausages served over couscous with a cumin and cayenne broth. A North African-inspired feast with carrots, zucchini, and white wine.

Lamb, Chickpea, & Vegetable Couscous

Lamb, chickpea, and vegetable couscous is a Moroccan-style braise of cubed lamb shoulder simmered with carrots, turnips, zucchini, and peppers in a cinnamon-spiced tomato broth over fluffy couscous.

Spicy Lamb Chili

Hearty lamb shoulder chili with pinto beans, double paprika, cumin, and a secret hit of coffee. Seared, simmered, and fork-tender in 90 minutes. A bold twist on classic chili.

Souvlaki with Tzaziki

Greek lamb souvlaki with tzatziki: red-wine and oregano-marinated lamb shoulder skewers grilled over coals, served with cool strained yogurt, cucumber, and garlic dip.

Crusty Roast Lamb (Uaineoil Faoi Chrusta)

Traditional Irish roast lamb shoulder with a buttery herb breadcrumb crust, roasted over a bed of potatoes, onions, and sliced apple. Sunday dinner the old country way.

All 34 recipes