Braised Lamb Shoulder Pomegranate (Print Version)

Tender lamb slow-cooked with spices and a sweet-tart pomegranate finish for a rich, festive main course.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat

01 - 4 lbs lamb shoulder, bone-in
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 2 medium onions, sliced
04 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 carrots, sliced
06 - 1 celery stalk, chopped

→ Spices

07 - 2 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp ground coriander
09 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/2 tsp ground allspice
11 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
12 - 1 tsp salt

→ Liquids

13 - 1 2/3 cups beef or lamb stock
14 - 1 cup pomegranate juice
15 - 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
16 - 1 tbsp tomato paste

→ To Finish

17 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
19 - Zest of 1 lemon

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 325°F.
02 - Pat the lamb shoulder dry and season with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb shoulder on all sides for about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
04 - In the same pot, add onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
05 - Stir in cumin, corriander, cinnamon, allspice, and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Return the lamb to the pot. Pour in stock, pomegranate juice, and pomegranate molasses. Bring to a simmer.
07 - Cover with a lid and braise in the oven for 2.5 hours, basting occasionally, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
08 - Remove the lamb and let it rest for 10 minutes. Skim excess fat from the sauce and simmer to reduce if needed.
09 - Shred or carve the lamb. Serve topped with pomegranate seeds, parsley, and lemon zest. Spoon sauce over the meat.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pomegranate creates this incredible sweet and tart balance that cuts through the rich lamb perfectly
  • It's one of those dishes that looks impressive but practically cooks itself
  • The spices fill your entire home with the most welcoming warmth
02 -
  • Don't rush the searing step, those browned bits are the foundation of your sauce's flavor
  • The sauce might look thin right out of the oven, but letting it rest will help it thicken naturally
  • Pomegranate molasses is worth seeking out at specialty stores, but online delivery works too
03 -
  • If the sauce reduces too much, add a splash of water or stock while reheating
  • Don't skip the lemon zest at the end, it's what makes all the flavors sing

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