Instant Pot Lamb

What is Lamb Shoulder?

Lamb may have less marbling than beef, but it’s still delicious, tender, juicy, & full of flavor.

Usually, the most popular cuts of lamb are rack of lamb, lamb chops, lamb shanks, or leg of lamb. But don’t forget the lamb shoulder!

Lamb shoulder, as the name indicates, is the shoulder of the lamb – just above the foreshank and below the neck.

It’s a tougher cut of lamb with a little more fat that’s marbled through the meat. So it’s great for long braising or slow roasting as a whole for hours.

This is where the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker shines! Instead of making slow-roasted lamb shoulder, you can save time & hassle by using the Instant Pot, and it’ll come out ultra-tender, juicy, and deliciously flavorful!

Time to cook Ultra-Tender Lamb in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Lamb

Here are the ingredients for cooking Lamb in Instant Pot:

*Pro Tip: We got our square-cut lamb shoulder (bone-in) delivered from a local butcher. It weighs 3lbs and it’s 3.25″ thick.

*Note: We like to ground our whole herbs and spices, so we ground the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, dried rosemary, and dried thyme with our mortar and pestle

*Note: However, using pre-ground herb & spices will work for this Instant Pot Lamb Recipe.

Tools for Instant Pot Lamb Roast

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
• Mortar and Pestle
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Mixing Bowl

Brown Lamb Shoulder in Instant Pot

First, heat up Instant Pot Pressure Cooker using “Sauté More” function, and wait until it says “HOT”.

*Pro Tip: Make sure the Instant Pot is as hot as it can be in order to induce a maillard reaction.

Pat dry the lamb shoulder, then season one side generously with salt and black pepper.

Then, drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil in the inner pot, and ensure to coat the oil over the whole bottom of the pot.

Carefully place the seasoned side of lamb in Instant Pot. Then, generously season the other side with salt and black pepper.

Brown one side of lamb shoulder for 5 minutes before flipping it over, then brown the other side for another 5 minutes.

Saute Onion and Garlic

*Pro Tip: If you’re using an 8 quart Instant Pot, you can just flip the lamb shoulder over and you should have enough room to saute the onions. If you’re using a 6 quart Instant Pot, remove the browned lamb shoulder, then set it aside.

Now, add sliced onions in Instant Pot, and saute for 3 minutes.

Then, add crushed garlic, 2 tsp (6g) ground cumin, ½ tsp (1g) ground fennel, 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste, 3 bay leaves, 2 tsp (2.2g) dried rosemary, and 2 tsp (2g) dried thyme in Instant Pot, and saute for another minute. 

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour in 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. Give it a quick mix.

Pressure Cook Lamb

Add 2 tbsp (30ml) regular soy sauce and another cup (250ml) of unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot, then give it a quick mix.

First, place the lamb shoulder with the skin side up, then sprinkle some salt on the skin.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

We cooked 3 similar sized lamb shoulders with 3 different cooking times. The following are the results we came up with.

Pressure Cooking Methods:

• For Tender with a Bite: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 hour and 45 minutes, then 15 minutes Natural Release.
• For Super Tender: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 2 hours and 15 minutes, then 15 minutes Natural Release.

*For Reference: This lamb roast (photo below) has been cooked for 2 hours and 15 minutes + 15 minutes natural release.

After 15 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to Venting position.

Remove the lid carefully.

Optional: Pressure Cook Carrots & Potatoes

Remove the lamb roast and place it on a serving plate.

If you want to cook up some carrots and potatoes, cut them into chunks, then add them in the Instant Pot.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes, then Quick Release.

After the pressure cooking cycle has ended, release the pressure by turning the Venting Knob to Venting position.

Remove the lid carefully.

Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt (roughly 1 – 2 pinches of salt).

Season & Thicken Lamb Gravy

Finally, bring the tasty lamb gravy to a simmer with the “Saute More” function.

Thicken Lamb Gravy: mix 3 tbsp (45g) cornstarch and 4 tbsp (60ml) cold water together, then stir the mixture into the lamb gravy one third at a time until desired thickness.

Then, taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt if necessary (roughly 1 – 2 large pinch of salt).

Serve Instant Pot Lamb Shoulder

Your Instant Pot Lamb is ready to be served!

Drizzle some of the yummy lamb gravy all over the lamb and enjoy~

Enjoy this Instant Pot Lamb!

More Instant Pot Lamb Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Lamb Shanks

Instant Pot Chinese Lamb Stew

Instant Pot Goat Curry