Smoked lamb shoulder is a delicious and easy way to impress your guests. If you’re looking to become a backyard BBQ hero, this mouth-watering recipe for smoked lamb shoulder is a must-try. This dish is perfect for your next family gathering or summer cookout and is sure to impress even the toughest of critics.
Smoking lamb shoulder on a pellet smoker is a great way to add depth and complexity to the flavor of the meat. By using a combination of wood pellets and low and slow cooking, you’ll achieve a juicy and flavorful dish that is sure to become a staple in your summer meal rotation.
This recipe is great for anyone, whether you’re a seasoned pit master or just starting out with smoking. It’s easy to follow and includes step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the process from start to finish.
First, we’ll start with a simple dry rub that will add flavor and help to form a nice crust on the outside of the meat. Next, we’ll smoke the lamb shoulder using neutral wood chips like apple, cherry, or pecan for flavor. Finally, we’ll serve it with delicious warmed pita bread and hummus that will leave your guests begging for more.
So, gather your ingredients, fire up your pellet smoker, and get ready to become a BBQ hero with this amazing recipe for smoked lamb shoulder. The perfect blend of smoke, seasonings and juicy tender meat will have your taste buds singing with joy. Get ready to dig in and enjoy!
How To Smoke Lamb Shoulder
Step 1: Preheat Your Pellet Smoker
Before beginning the smoking process, you need to preheat your pellet smoker to 250°F. Different types of pellets can be used to create different flavors of smoke in your dish. Alder, cherry, and maple pellets are particularly suited for lamb, as they will give the shoulder a hint of sweetness in addition to the smoky flavor.
Step 2: Prepare & Rub The Spice Mixture
Once the smoker is preheated, mix all the spices together in a small bowl. The right mix of spices is essential to create a flavorful dish. Rub the spice mixture all over the lamb shoulder, making sure it is fully coated. This will help the spice blend penetrate deep into the meat, ensuring a flavorful dish.
Step 3: Place The Lamb Shoulder In The Smoker
Once the smoker is preheated, mix all the spices together in a small bowl. The right mix of spices is essential to create a flavorful dish. Rub the spice mixture all over the lamb shoulder, making sure it is fully coated. This will help the spice blend penetrate deep into the meat, ensuring a flavorful dish.
Step 4: Wrap Lamb In Butcher Paper
Once the lamb has reached 165°F, remove it from the smoker and wrap it in butcher paper. The butcher paper will help to create a pocket of steam around the lamb, ensuring it is cooked evenly and remains tender and juicy. Place it back in the smoker.
Step 5: Increase Smoker Temperature
Increase the temperature of the smoker to 300°F and smoke until the internal temperature of the lamb reaches 200°F.
Step 6: Let It Rest
Once the lamb has reached 200°F, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for approximately 1 hour. This will allow the juices to settle and will help to lock in the flavor.
Step 7: Shred or Pull the Lamb
After the hour-long rest, shred or pull the lamb and serve it warm on a pita with hummus or BBQ sauce. Enjoy your delicious smoked lamb shoulder containing nutrition calories!
Tips For Making The Best Smoked Lamb Shoulder
Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting out, these tips will make your smoking experience even better.
Be Patient
Smoking meat takes time, so allow yourself plenty of time to complete the process. The total cooking time for this recipe is 4-5 hours. Keep in mind though, this time is only a guideline.
The final cooking time will vary depending on the size of your meat and the accuracy of your smoker’s temperature. Smoked lamb shoulder cooking average time almost like smoked pork butt or pork shoulder.
Experiment With Wood Pellet Flavors
The type of wood pellets you use in your pellet smoker can have a big impact on the flavor of your smoked lamb shoulder. There are a variety of wood pellet flavors to choose from, including hickory, mesquite, apple, and more.
Each type of wood will impart a unique flavor to the meat, so it’s worth experimenting with different types until you find the one that you like the best.
Butcher Paper Wrap
Butcher paper helps to keep the meat moist and tender by trapping the natural juices inside. This is important because it helps to prevent the meat from drying out, which can result in tough and chewy meat.
When wrapping the lamb in butcher paper, make sure to wrap it tightly so that no steam escapes, but leave a little room for air to circulate.
This will help to ensure that the meat cooks evenly and is infused with the maximum amount of smoke flavor. You can also choose boneless lamb shoulder to prepare the recipe.
With these tips, you’re sure to impress your family and friends with your delicious smoked lamb shoulder. Happy smoking!
Best Beer Pairing For Smoked Lamb Shoulder
Get ready to embark on a flavor-packed journey with your Smoked Lamb Shoulder! This succulent, smoky dish is a culinary delight, and what’s a feast without the perfect beer to complement it? Let’s explore the top beer pairings that will make your lamb shoulder even more mouthwatering.
India Pale Ale (IPA)
An IPA is a perfect choice for those who love a bold, hoppy flavor. The bitterness of the hops in an IPA cuts through the richness of the pulled smoked lamb shoulder, creating a well-balanced and flavorful pairing.
The bold hop flavors in the beer also complement the smoky flavor of the meat, making this a classic combination.
Belgian Dubbel
Belgian Dubbels are known for their rich, malty flavor and notes of dark fruit, like raisins and figs. The sweet, fruity notes in the beer are a great match for the savory smoky flavor of the lamb.
This beer’s higher alcohol content will also help to cut through the richness of the pulled lamb shoulder, making this pairing a winning combination.
Brown Ale
A brown ale is a perfect choice for those who prefer a more mild flavor. The nutty, caramel notes in a brown ale pair well with the smoky flavor of the lamb, while its smooth and creamy texture complements the tender texture of the meat.
This pairing is a great option for those who are looking for a more understated, yet still delicious, combination.
Related Recipes
- Smoked Lamb Shoulder Chops Recipe
- Smoked Rack Of Lamb Recipe
- Smoked Lamb Chops Recipe
- Smoked Leg of Lamb Recipe
- Lamb Seasoning Recipe
Smoked Lamb Shoulder
Equipment
- Smoker Pellets
Ingredients
- 8 lb lamb shoulder bone in
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Herb Rub
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tbsp dried sage
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp dried bay leaf crushed
- 1 tbsp black pepper finely ground
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1½ cups hummus to serve
- apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet smoker to 250°F, using your preferred type of pellets. Alder, cherry, and maple are great for lamb.
- Mix all the spices together in a small bowl and rub the spice mixture all over the lamb shoulder, ensuring it is well coated.
- Place the lamb shoulder in the smoker, fat side up, before that you can trim the excess fat and smoke for about 4 hours or until it reaches 165°F
- Remove and wrap the lamb shoulder in butcher paper and return it to the smoker.
- Increase the smoker temperature to 300° and smoke until the internal temperature of the lamb reaches 200°F
- Remove the lamb from the smoker and let it rest for an hour.
- Shred or pull the lamb and serve it warm on a pita with hummus or BBQ sauce. Enjoy your delicious smoked lamb shoulder!
Smoked Lamb Shoulder FAQs
What is a pellet smoker and how does it work?
A pellet smoker is a type of outdoor cooking equipment that uses wood pellets as fuel to smoke food. The wood pellets are fed into the smoker’s hopper and then burned to produce smoke, which is used to cook the food. The pellet smoker allows for precise temperature control, making it easy to achieve the perfect smoke flavor for your food.
How do I choose the right wood pellets for my smoked lamb shoulder recipe?
When choosing wood pellets for your smoked lamb shoulder recipe, consider the flavor profile you are looking for. Popular options include hickory, mesquite, apple, and more. Each type of wood will impart a unique flavor to the meat, so it’s worth experimenting with different types until you find the one that you like the best.
How long does it take to smoke a lamb shoulder on a pellet smoker?
It takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to smoke a lamb shoulder on a pellet smoker, but this can vary depending on factors such as the size of the shoulder and the temperature of the smoker.
What is butcher paper and why is it used in smoking lamb shoulder?
Butcher paper is a type of heavy-duty paper that is used for wrapping food. When wrapping the lamb in butcher paper while smoking, it helps to keep the meat moist and tender by trapping the natural juices inside. The butcher paper also allows smoke to penetrate the meat, which helps to infuse it with flavor.
How do I shred the pulled smoked lamb shoulder?
The pulled smoked lamb shoulder can be shredded using two forks or any pulled pork shredding tool. Simply pull the meat apart in opposite directions to shred it into bite-sized pieces.
Can I use other cuts of lamb for this recipe, or does it have to be a shoulder?
While a lamb shoulder is a traditional cut used for this recipe, other cuts of lamb, such as lamb leg or rib roast, can also be used.
What is the best way to serve the pulled smoked lamb shoulder?
The pulled smoked lamb shoulder is typically served on a warm pita, but it can also be served with other types of bread, such as a soft flour tortilla or crusty baguette. It can also be served as a main dish with sides such as roasted vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.