Grilled Lamb Shoulder with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary
©Francis Hammond Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Lamb · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · TasteColder weather in Provence, or anywhere else, is the perfect excuse for making hearty dishes and serving wines that complement the earthy flavours. Below is a recipe for grilled lamb shoulder with a lemon, garlic, and rosemary infusion from author, chef, and journalist Susan Herrmann Loomis.
This recipe comes from her cookbook French Grill: 125 Refined & Rustic Recipes, published in 2018. In addition to publishing 14 best-selling books, Susan Herrmann Loomis founded the Dancing Tomatoes website, where you can read more about this talented lady. Based in Paris, with 20 years of teaching experience, Loomis offers live cooking classes via video link and a collection of traditional six 4-course menus in her Plat du Jour video archive.
Lemon, Garlicky, Rosemary Lamb Shoulder
The lamb shoulder is infused with lemon, garlic, and rosemary before being cooked over hot coals (or a gas BBQ). Enjoy this epaule d'agneau au citron, ail, et romarin from the French Grill cookbook by Susan Herrmann Loomis.
Equipment
- cutting board, large plastic with grooves to catch the juices
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup fresh rosemary leaves
- 2 garlic cloves green germ removed if necessary
- 1 zest of one lemon
- 1 lamb shoulder boned, about 3 to 3-1/2 lbs or 1.5- 1.75kg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp green peppercorns coarsely ground (or white and black peppercorns)
Instructions
- Mince together the rosemary leaves, garlic, and lemon zest and transfer to a small bowl.
- Make six ½-inch (1.25cm) deep slits in the lamb shoulder. Insert as much of the rosemary mixture as you can in each slit. Mix the remaining mixture with the olive oil and rub it over the lamb shoulder. Let the lamb sit at room temperature for 2 hours up to overnight. If leaving the lamb overnight, wrap and refrigerate it and remove it from the refrigerator at least 2 hours before grilling so it is at room temperature.
- Build a good-sized fire about 25 minutes before cooking the lamb shoulder. When the coals are red and dusted with ash, divide them in the barbecue, putting half the coals on either side. Set a BBQ grill pan in the middle of the coals, then set the grill over the coals.
- When the grill is hot, place the lamb shoulder in the centre over the drip pan. Sprinkle salt and a bit of freshly ground pepper over the shoulder, and close the grill, ensuring the air holes are open on the top and the body of the barbecue. Grill for 12 minutes until the shoulder is pale gold on the grill side. Turn the shoulder, season with salt and pepper, and grill for another 12 minutes.
- Transfer the shoulder to the part of the grill over the coals, cover, and grill until the shoulder is deep golden, about 10 minutes. Turn and repeat.
- NOTE: The interior temperature of the lamb should now be about 150ºF (65.5ºC), which means it is medium and, to my way of thinking, perfectly cooked. If you like it rarer, brown it on just one side; if you like it more well done, adjust the initial cooking time in the centre of the grill accordingly.
- Transfer the lamb from the grill to a cutting board that will catch the juices. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes and up to 20 minutes before slicing the lamb. Drain the juices into a small pitcher and serve alongside the meat.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
More Lamb Recipes to Try:
Grilled Lamb Chops with Parsley and Mint Vinaigrette
This dish is a crowd-pleaser. Start the potatoes in advance and prepare your mise-en-place (chopped herbs), the rest can be done when your guests arrive.
Check out this recipe
Grilled Lamb Kebabs
Easy to prepare, but allow enough time to marinate before cooking.
Check out this recipe
Moroccan Lamb Mechoui
Since I do not have enough people to feed a proper mechoui to I generally cook a leg or preferably a shoulder of lamb. The shoulder lends itself to the longer cooking time and yields incredibly tender and juicy meat. I marinate the lamb for at least two hours but preferably overnight. I like to cook the mechoui in a hot smoker or charcoal grill but an oven at 375°F will work as well. Serve with saffron rice or golden couscous.
Check out this recipe
Slow-roasted Lamb Shoulder with Za’atar
The slow roasting process creates a juicy lamb and the za'atar will add a little spice!
Check out this recipe
Lamb Stew with Root Vegetables (Navarin d’Agneau)
Local free-range lamb is easy to find in Provence, so there are many typical dishes that you will find on menus. Navarin d’Agneau is a traditional slow-cooked stew made with root vegetables.
Check out this recipeLegal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Related Provence Articles
Explore Provence’s Essence: 6 Stunning Villages Worth Visiting
June 25, 2025
When someone asks what villages in Provence are worth visiting. It is hard to answer as there are perched Medieval hamlets, famous wine villages, attractive seaside ports, and vibrant urban centres. This list highlights six (6) stunning villages showcasing the region’s rich history and vibrant lifestyle. Luberon Villages Provence is known for its picturesque villages …
The Summer Truffle Festival in Aups is a Culinary Treat – Don’t Miss Out!
June 23, 2025
Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups sits at 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered the capital of the Haut-Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy summer weekend, Aups attracts many visitors. It is considered the “gateway” to the Verdon Regional Natural Park, …
Make this Provencal Summer Menu Inspired by Seasonal Flavours
June 20, 2025
Cynthia Moos is a Provence native and the founder of Best French Forever, a lifestyle brand dedicated to women inspired by the Provençal art de vivre. Her mission is to invite women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and curate a life they love. We asked Cynthia if she would curate our 2025 summer menu. …
Where to Eat in Provence? Domaine la Pierre Blanche is a Food Lovers’ Paradise
June 18, 2025
As the sun gracefully dips behind the Alpilles, the landscape is bathed in a gentle golden glow that dances across the grapevines, offering a prelude to an enchanting evening in Provence. This region’s luminous light, which has long captured the imaginations of celebrated artists, serves as a backdrop to the “Rosé Mule,” a tantalizing cocktail …
No Comment