Moroccan Inspired Slow-Cooked Shetland Lamb Shoulder

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In this recipe, local, organic Shetland lamb shoulder is rubbed in a blend of Moroccan spices before being seared and slow-cooked with tomatoes, chickpeas and apricots until the lamb is fall-off-the-bone tender. Includes both oven and slow-cooker recipe instructions.

This recipe was originally published in January 2012 and was republished with new photos and information in May 2025.

Lamb shoulder – perfect for slow cooking

The shoulder of lamb is one of the most perfect cuts of meat for slow cooking. It's also one of the most environmentally sustainable meats (I'm talking Scottish hill-farmed sheep here from your local butchers, not New Zealand lamb from the supermarket).

The lamb's shoulder is a muscle that works hard during its short lifetime, which means it's packed full of flavour. However, because it has had to work hard, it benefits from slow cooking to make it tender. It's a less expensive alternative to the leaner leg of lamb, making it a valuable, nutritious ingredient for family meals.

Slow cooking this cut of lamb with the bone-in will add even more flavour to the finished dish.

What to serve with this slow-cooked lamb shoulder recipe

This recipe pairs really well with jewelled couscous with puy lentils and pomegranate, hummus, a simple layered tomato salad and a flatbread like Baladi or khobez.

I also like to serve some plain natural yoghurt drizzled with a little lemon-infused olive oil and sprinkled with paprika.

Although this recipe takes a long time to slow cook, leftovers taste even better the following day.

You can also freeze this recipe for later, defrost and reheat it for an effortless midweek meal later!

What you'll need…

• Spices: use whole cumin, coriander and fennel seeds, toasted and freshly ground for maximum flavour, and cayenne pepper and cinnamon sticks.
• Lamb shoulder: something locally and ethically reared. Mine comes from Uradale Farm.
• Olive oil: for searing the meat before slow cooking. This keeps in moisture and adds to the flavour.
• Brown onion: finely chopped for a base flavour.
• Tomato paste: adds a tomato richness to the sauce.
• Lamb stock: ideally made from scratch (check out my bone broth recipe), but a stockpot works too. Can substitute with chicken stock.
• Chickpeas: tinned is fine. Wash and drain them well before using. Alternatively, soak and cook 125 grams of dried chickpeas.
• Dried apricots: add a delicious fruity flavour to the dish. Substitute with raisins or figs if you wish (or a mixture of all three).
• Tinned tomatoes: whole tinned plum tomatoes in tomato juice are ideal for this recipe, but regular tinned chopped tomatoes will work, too.
• Fresh ginger: imparts warmth and flavour to the dish.
• Lemon zest: brings out the other flavours in the finished dish.
• Fresh coriander leaves: to garnish.

How to make it…

1. Rub the toasted, ground spices mixed with salt into the lamb.
2. Heat a splash of olive oil in a shallow casserole pan and brown the meat. Set aside or place into a slow cooker if using.
3. Heat the remaining olive oil in the same pan and saute the onions and any remaining spice mixture until softened.
4. Add the tomato puree, stock, chickpeas, apricots, cinnamon sticks, ginger and lemon zest and bring to a boil.
5. Return the meat to the pan or add the liquid to the slow cooker bowl.
6. Cover and slow cook in a preheated 140 °C (fan)/ 160 °C/ gas mark 3 oven for 3 1/2 – 4 hours or for 5-8 hours in a slow cooker.

Does the shoulder of lamb have a bone?

Yes, and we recommend buying a whole bone-in lamb shoulder for the best flavour, however, you can get boneless shoulder of lamb which is perfect for stuffing and roasting. Alternatively, you can buy a cubed lamb shoulder.

Is lamb shoulder fatty?

Yes, and this is why it tastes so good. Slow-cooking lamb shoulder makes it even more tender and delicious.

Should you seal lamb before slow cooking?

No, you don't really need to if you're short of time. Contrary to popular belief, browning the meat does not lock in moisture before slow cooking. However, it does add to the flavour of the finished dish. It also looks nicer, I feel, especially if you are serving the lamb shoulder whole instead of shredded.

What is lamb shoulder good for?

Lamb shoulder, because it's a tougher, fattier cut of lamb, is good for slow cooking and stewing. You might like my easy gluten-free lamb curry recipe, which is made from cubed lamb shoulder.