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    Home > Roast Dinner

    Slow Roast Shoulder of Welsh Lamb with Vegetables and Cider Gravy (One Pot!)

    Published: Aug 28, 2019 · Modified: Aug 5, 2021 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Go to Video Print Recipe
    Image of roast lamb shoulder and vegetables in a roasting tin with jug of gravy - with a text overlay
    Two image collage of roast lamb shoulder and vegetables in a roasting tin with jug of gravy

    This incredible slow-roasted shoulder of Welsh Lamb is cooked with the veggies - all in the same pan! Served with an easy cider gravy this succulent lamb is a real crowd-pleaser.
    Roast lamb shoulder and vegetables in a roasting tin on a wooden table.
    This post was created in partnership with PGI Welsh Lamb. All opinions are my own.

    If I were to ask you "When is the perfect time to eat lamb?" What would you say?

    Easter?

    I know that's what I'd have said up until recently. But then I discovered that lamb - or more specifically Welsh Lamb (which is the best - and I'll tell you why in a minute) is actually at it's absolute best from the beginning of August through to November. I know right?

    Chris and I recently spent a fantastic couple of days down in south Wales, learning all about lamb.
    Close up of roast lamb shoulder and vegetables in a roasting tin

    • We visited the Salt Marshes at Gower Salt Marsh Lamb
    • We learned about the many different cuts of lamb at a butchery session at Hugh Phillips
    • We had a masterclass session with Head Chef Hywel Griffith
    • We were fed a fantastic 4-course dinner (cooked by Hywel and his team) at the Beach House Restaurant in Oxwich Bay, right on the beach.

    I'll share some pics with you further on down this post, but first...

    Why is Welsh Lamb the best?

    We eat lamb a lot, and I didn't really take a lot of notice of where it came from. BUT, I had noticed that the lamb we often buy from a little farm shop on our way home from our regular trips to Wales, is always the best lamb.
    - It turns out that a big factor is the amount of rain there is in Wales (which, is a lot!).
    - All of that rain ensures the finest juicy grass for the sheep to graze freely on  - whether it's luscious pastureland, or the highly nutritious salt marshes.
    - They're also reared using traditional farming methods that date back centuries. One of my favourite parts of the trip was watching the sheep dogs expertly zipping around, rounding up the sheep and seeing them safely to the field before the tide came in.

    With Love Lamb Week coming up (1st-7th September 2019), I wanted to show you an easy way to get delicious lamb dinner on the table.

    No par-boiling potatoes, no peeling of carrots and no need to install a second sink to fit in all of the pots and pans that the average roast dinner requires!

    • We start off by drizzling oil onto a big shoulder of lamb, then sprinkling with salt, pepper and rosemary, covering with foil and placing in the oven for 3 hours.
    • After three hours, baste the lamb and add in the potatoes (adding oil and seasoning again) for 15 minutes.
    • Then add in carrots, shallots, butternut squash and sprouts. Toss all of the vegetables in the fat and meat juices in the pan. Back into the oven for 15 minutes.
    • Then add tenderstem broccoli and lightly season, before placing back in the oven for a final 15 minutes.

    Collage of 6 images showing how to make roast lamb and vegetables in one tin

    Remove from the oven and place the vegetables and lamb on a warm serving plate to rest while you make the gravy.

    • Place the roasting tin over a medium-high heat and pour in the cider.
    • Scrape up all of the bits from the pan and simmer for a few minutes.
    • Then add in lamb stock and bring to the boil. Stir in a little cornflour (cornstarch) slurry to thicken.
      Collage of 4 images showing how to make lamb and cider gravy Serve with the lamb and veggies.

    Close up image of lamb, vegetables and gravy on a white plate

    Alternative joints of Welsh Lamb:

    • If you'd prefer to use a leg of lamb, then use a 1.8kg-2kg leg of lamb - with the same temperature and timings.
    • You could also use a boneless rolled leg or boneless rolled shoulder of lamb.
      Joints of meat are much more flavourful and juicy when cooked with the bone in, but it is easier to carve a boneless joint. Boneless joints are usually smaller, so you'll need to reduce the cooking time accordingly.
      Most advice calls for 25-30 minutes of cooking per 450g/1 lb plus 25-30 minutes. I would also add an extra 30 minutes cooking time for the whole dish (including the vegetables), this is because adding vegetables to the tin, slows down the cooking of the lamb.

    So let's have a look at a few pics! If you want to get straight on with the recipe, the recipe video and full recipe card are at the bottom of this post.

    First was our trip to Gower Salt Marsh Lamb where we saw the lambs roaming the salt marshes (you might be able to see them as tiny little specks in the first image). The salt marshes are abundant with all sorts of nourishing goodies for the lambs to graze on - such as samphire, sorrel, sea lavender and Thrift.
    The lambs were expertly rounded up by the sheep dogs and farmers who moved the sheep over to the pastured field before the tide came in (a few wild horses went along for the ride too!). The sheep dogs were the sweetest things, and you can see below how much they love their owners.

    After the salt marshes we headed over to Hugh Phillips butchers for a butchery session. It was amazing to see the variety of cuts available. It's too easy to think of lamb chops, leg and shoulder as the only cuts available. I counted about 14 or 15 cuts here, and it was interesting to hear how they focus on different cuts depending on the season. i.e more diced lamb over winter - for stews and casseroles. More mince and ribs over the summer for burgers and barbecues.

    3 image collage of butchery at Hugh Phillips butchers.

    Next we headed over to the Beach House Restaurant in Oxwich Bay for a masterclass session with Head Chef Hywel Griffith. I've got to admit, I was a little alarmed at the faggot-making process (offal scares me), but I had a little taste, and they were good! We also watch Hywel prepare a loin of lamb with laverbread sauce - which was delicious! Notice on one of the images, there's a bottle of 'lamb fat'. I think that needs to be a new addition to my kitchen!

    Collage of 8 images showing prep of faggots and lamb with laverbread sauce

    Hywel and his team then treated us to a fantastic meal at his restaurant. Check out the view from the patio outside. So pretty!
    We ate:

    • Laverbread loaf with salted butter
    • Charred mackerel fillet with anchovy mayonnaise and avocado
    • Hay smoked lamb with pearl barley and mushroom ketchup
    • Salt marsh lamb with carrot and caraway puree
    • Hazelnut treacle tart with vanilla and lime clotted cream ice cream

    Collage of 6 images showing meal at Beach House Restaurant in Oxwich Bay

    We were spoiled rotten on this trip, and it was so great to see the versatility as well as the provenance of PGI Welsh Lamb.

    I couldn't wait to get home to get in the kitchen and make this roasted shoulder of lamb (we even stopped off at a farm shop and bought more Welsh lamb for a curry ha ha).

    roast lamb shoulder and vegetables in a roasting tin with carving knife

    Will you be cooking lamb this Sunday? At this time of year you can find Welsh lamb available in most supermarkets.

    Slow Roast Shoulder of Lamb recipe video:

    If you'd like to see some more recipes from my fellow foodies who also came on the trip, check these out below:

    • Welsh Lamb Kebabs from Jane at The Hedge Combers
    • Welsh Lamb Bombay Hotpot - from Pippa at The Slimming Foodie
    • Welsh Lamb Paella from Eb at Easy Peasie Foodie
    • I've also done another delicious lamb recipe recently - Lamb Carnitas - served on warmed tacos with ALL the toppings!

    The Slow Roast Shoulder of Lamb Recipe:

    roast lamb shoulder and vegetables in a roasting tin with jug of gravy

    Slow roast shoulder of lamb with vegetables and cider gravy

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    This incredible slow-roasted shoulder of lamb is cooked with the veggies – all in the same pan! Served with an easy cider gravy this succulent lamb is a real crowd pleaser.

    5 from 7 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine British, Welsh
    Servings 6
    Calories 789 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 2-2.2 kg (4.4 - 4.8 lbs) shoulder of lamb
    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp dried rosemary
    • 4 medium red-skinned potatoes - chopped into large chunks (no need to peel)
    • 10 small carrots - peeled with trimmed tops
    • 10 shallots - peeled
    • ½ butternut squash - peeled and sliced into 1cm-thick half-moons
    • 12 sprouts
    • 200 g (4oz) tenderstem broccoli

    Cider Gravy

    • 150 ml (½ cup plus 2 tbsp) cider - (hard cider if you're in the US)
    • 300 ml (1 ¼ cups) lamb stock
    • 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch) mixed with 4 tbsp cold water to make a slurry

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Place the lamb in a large baking tin and score the fatty bits of the lamb lightly with a sharp knife.
    • Rub on one tablespoon of the olive oil, then sprinkle on half of the salt, pepper and rosemary (½ tsp of each). Cover the tin with foil (tent it over the lamb, so it’s not actually touching the lamb) and place in the oven for 3 hours (this will give you well-done but juicy lamb. Cook for 2 hours 15 minutes if you like your lamb a little more rare).
    • After 3 hours, remove the foil and baste the lamb.
    • Arrange the potatoes in the tin around the lamb. Drizzle the remaining oil onto the potatoes and sprinkle on half of the remaining salt, pepper and rosemary (¼ tsp of each).
    • Place back in the oven to cook, uncovered for 15 minutes
    • Open the oven and turn the potatoes. Add the carrots, shallots, butternut squash and sprouts. Turn them in the oil and meat juices to coat, then place back in the oven for a further 15 minutes.
    • Open the oven and add the broccoli. Turn to coat in the oil and meat juices and sprinkle the remaining salt, pepper and rosemary (¼ tsp of each) onto all of the vegetables. Place back in the oven for a final 15 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and place the lamb and vegetables on a warm serving plate, then cover with foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes whilst you make the gravy.
    • Add the cider to the meat juices in the roasting pan (alternatively you can transfer the meat juices from the roasting pan to a saucepan – scrape it clean so you get all the flavouand boil for 5 minutes until reduced by half.
    • Add the stock and bring back to the boil. Slowly pour in the cornflour and water mixture whilst stirring until the gravy has thickened. Give it a little taste and add a little salt and pepper if required.
    • Remove the foil from the lamb and serve with the cider gravy.

    Video

    ✎ Notes

    Nutritional Information is per serving. Note: as it's difficult to work out the exact quantity of meat on a 2kg shoulder of lamb, I've estimated this to be 1kg of meat for the whole joint).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 789kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 36gFat: 47gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 685mgPotassium: 1848mgFiber: 10gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 24513IUVitamin C: 98mgCalcium: 162mgIron: 6mg
    Keywords Lamb Recipe Ideas, One Pan, roast dinner, Sunday Lunch
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More
    « Falafel Salad Bowl with Creamy Feta Dip
    Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe »

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Theresa says

      December 18, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe
      Smashing dinner

      Reply
    2. Felicity says

      October 12, 2022 at 12:16 am

      5 stars
      I made the recipe as directed but it took forever for the vegetables to finish. I think next time I'll roast the vegetables separately and at a higher temp. Flavor wise, it was delicious! I will definitely keep this recipe for future use! It's a nice change from all the middle eastern flavors.

      Reply
    3. Mags says

      September 19, 2022 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Nicky!
      Thank you for this delicious recipe. You are SO right Welsh lamb is The Best! I live in USA now which is more of a beef eating country but my childhood memories are of Mum making roast leg of Welsh Lamb at Easter (yes I read your comments). Still a superior cut of lamb and the taste out of this world. I cannot duplicate this recipe as I only have US of A lamb or New Zealand but I still remember those Welsh Lamb dinners! Amazing! Thank you:)

      Reply
    4. Lewis Hodkin says

      August 24, 2022 at 2:51 pm

      Hi, do you recommend a cider? Or can you use any such as ‘Strongbow Original’? Can’t wait to try this, thank you.

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        September 04, 2022 at 7:16 pm

        Hi Lewis, I like to use a dry cider (my favourite is Aspall), but strongbow will totally work 🙂

        Reply
    5. Janice says

      September 05, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect every time. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.

      Reply
    6. Shaun Silson says

      January 23, 2021 at 1:12 pm

      Hi Nicky you can delete this later. Instruction 7 says ¼ tsp of eaconto all of the vegetables. I spent a good few minutes wondering what eaconto was as I 'd never heard of it. Then I realised it mean't 'each onto'! Loving your recipes.

      Reply
    7. nikki says

      June 21, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      hi is 180c means fan oven?

      Reply
      • Chris Corbishley says

        June 22, 2020 at 2:37 pm

        Hi Nikki,

        Yes its 180c fan oven

        Thanks

        Chris

        Reply
    8. Aynsley Joyce says

      January 12, 2020 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      Fabulous recipe for a one pan wonder roast dinner! It went down a treat! I cooked the lamb a little on the rare side, and it literally pulled apart with a fork! I got to use a lamb shoulder I’d had in the freezer for ages!! Thank you so much!! 😀

      Reply
      • Chris Corbishley says

        January 13, 2020 at 7:37 am

        Thanks Aynsley,

        Really glad you enjoyed it.

        Chris & Nicky

        Reply
      • bob says

        April 26, 2020 at 10:48 am

        What temperature do you set the oven to?

        Reply
        • Chris Corbishley says

          April 27, 2020 at 9:42 am

          Hi Bob,

          Preheat the oven to 180C/350F

          Thanks

          Chris

    9. hgf says

      January 08, 2020 at 9:24 am

      Fine way of explaining, and pleasant article to get facts about my presentation subject matter, which i am going to deliver in university.

      Reply
    10. Mirza says

      September 01, 2019 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      Beautiful.

      Reply
    11. Karly says

      August 30, 2019 at 3:35 pm

      The presentation of this is gorgeous! Can't wait to make this soon.

      Reply
    12. ann mowlam says

      August 29, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      hi, great reciept, to be tried at any time, i will be making it. all your reciepts are great, look forward to getting more.

      Reply
    13. Floranet says

      August 29, 2019 at 5:47 am

      Your writing seems to be totally an inspiring one. Thank You!!

      Reply
    14. Dragonfly43 says

      August 28, 2019 at 11:34 pm

      I like leg of lamb medium rare but have never prepared a shoulder roast. That looks delicious! Thanks!

      Reply

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