Pulled Lamb Shoulder

Our grass-fed lamb shoulder, slow cooked and falling off the bone, makes a delicious and inexpensive meal. The bone adds incredible flavor and yields a beautiful, tender meat. The natural gelatin melts and bastes the meat as it slowly cooks. Make sure to check out the video where chef demonstrates the recipe.

Pulled lamb shoulder
Pulled lamb shoulder

The shoulder can be braised on an open pit fire as demonstrated, or in your oven if the season of equipment dictates in your area. Be sure to sear the shoulder before braising to give it the nice dark color leaving the skin and fat on to add flavor and conserve moisture, then all you have to do is slowly cook until the meat is tender and easily pulls from the bone with a fork. One of our shoulders will feed about 4 adults.

This recipe is by chef Ben Spangler. Hailing from Minnesota, Ben draws from his Midwestern roots to create dishes that are unpretentious and delicious. Ben has competed on national television for the Food Network and appeared on local Minneapolis food networks. He is currently executive chef at Mercy in Minneapolis.

Chef Ben Spangler.

Looking to buy lamb or goat online? Shepherd Song Farm: Grass to table. We raise lambs & goats traditionally, humanely and sustainably. 100% Grass Fed, Pasture Raised, Never Confined, no Hormones, Grains or Animal Byproducts. Born, raised and processed in the U.S.A. Good for you and good for the environment.

Lamb Shoulder Pit Preparation
Our mise en place for cooking the lamb shoulder in a fire pit. Photo by Ben Spangler.

 

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Pulled lamb shoulder
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Pulled Lamb Shoulder

Falling off the bone pulled lamb shoulder seasoned with braising juices is a meal everyone will love.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 547kcal
Cost: 30

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Ingredients

  • 3 lb Shepherd Song Farm lamb shoulder 1 whole lamb shoulder
  • 1   onion
  • 2   carrots
  • 2   celery stalks
  • 2   cups marinara your favorite brand
  • 1   bottle of dark beer your choice
  • 1   cup vegetable stock
  • 2   teaspoons paprika
  • 1   Tablespoon oregano
  • 2   Tablespoons flour
  • mixed bunch of parsley rosemary & thyme
  • 18 fingerling potatoes depending on size
  • 8   cipollini onions
  • teaspoon salt and pepper
  • Water as needed

Instructions

  • Dice the onion, carrot and celery. Roughly chop the garlic.
  • Cover potatoes with water in a small sauce pot and put aside.
  • Season lamb shoulder with salt and pepper and dust lightly with flour.
  • Sear lamb on medium heat, browning evenly on both sides.
  • Remove shoulder from pot and add chopped vegetables.
  • Caramelize vegetables.
  • Add spices and herbs lightly cook and deglaze with beer.
  • Add vegetables, stock, marinara and water.
  • Add additional water as needed if your pan threatens to dry out.

Lamb Shoulder

  • Place lamb shoulder and whole, peeled cipollini onions in the pot and cover with lid.
  • Cook on low heat for approximately 3 hours or until meat is tender.
  • While cooking the shoulder, boil the potatoes until tender, then drain and cool to room temp.
  • Cut potatoes in half or quarters.

Finish and Serve

  • When shoulder is ready sauté the potatoes in oil on high heat.
  • As the potatoes begin to caramelize add herbs and butter.
  • With a fork, pull the meat from shoulder bone underneath the fat cap.
  • Plate the shoulder roast with potatoes and parsley leaves. Drizzle with oil.

Video

Notes

Either lamb or goat shoulder can be used in this recipe. 

Nutrition

Serving: 6oz | Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 127g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 455IU | Vitamin C: 137mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 9mg