What is lamb shoulder good for?
This part of the animal works hard, so the meat from a lamb’s shoulder is full of flavour. It takes a while to become tender, but this means it’s a great choice for stewing and slow-roasting. To maximise the flavour, cook lamb shoulder on the bone so the meat simply falls apart when pulled with a fork.
Can lamb shoulder be overcooked?
It’s hard to overcook lamb shoulder, especially if you are cooking a large joint. You will know the lamb is ready when the meat is so tender you can easily shred it with a fork. If you are cooking your lamb shoulder in the oven, check whether you need to add more stock in the pan after 2-3 hours.
Should you cover lamb shoulder when cooking?
Due to the longer cooking time of slow roast shoulder, it’s a good idea to cover it with foil to help retain moisture. Take the foil off for the last 30 minutes of the cooking time to let the skin crisp up.
Is lamb leg or shoulder better for slow cooking?
The leg gives neater, leaner pieces of meat than the shoulder, but both are meltingly tender and have fantastic flavour. Great slow-roasted in a covered pan for many hours, until the meat is literally falling off the bone.
What is the tastiest cut of lamb?
Loin. This is the most tender part of the lamb, producing only the most tender and flavourful cuts. Boned and rolled loin makes for a delectable roasting joint. This is also where the juiciest chops and noisettes come from.
Why is my lamb shoulder tough?
If you cut it incorrectly, you’ll end up with tough, chewy meat — even if you cooked it perfectly! This is the “grain.” They’re easy to see in tough cuts of meat like leg of lamb, but harder to see in tender cuts like rack of lamb. If you cut with the grain, you’ll end up with long strands of fiber in each bite.
How long does lamb shoulder pieces take to cook?
Oven Cooking time for half or whole shoulder of lamb
| Shoulder of Lamb (bone-in) weight kg and (lb) | Oven cooking time 170C / fan 150C Gas mark 3 (325F) | Total cooking time |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 kg – 1.9 kg (3.5 lb – 4.1 lb) | 3 hour 30 minutes | 4 hours |
| 2 kg – 2.5kg (4.4 lb – 5.5 lb) | 4 hour 30 minutes | 5 hours |