Air Fryer Lamb Shoulder with Garlic and Herbs
Tender lamb shoulder cooked quickly in the air fryer with garlic and aromatic herbs, perfect for a festive meal.
Steps
- 1
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- 2
Season the lamb shoulder with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, rubbing well into the meat.
- 3
Place the meat in an oven-safe dish that fits in the air fryer basket, add garlic cloves and pour broth around.
- 4
Cook for 40 minutes at 180°C (350°F), basting with the broth halfway through.
- 5
For even more tender meat, reduce temperature to 160°C (320°F) and cook for another 5–10 minutes.
Shopping list
1 lamb shoulder (about 1 kg / 2.2 lbs), 3 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 fresh rosemary sprig, 1 fresh thyme sprig, 10 cl (about 1/2 cup) vegetable or chicken broth, salt and pepper
Recipe story
Lamb shoulder is a traditional dish in Mediterranean cuisine, prized for its tenderness and flavor. In ancient Greece, lamb was often cooked with wild herbs and garlic, served at celebrations. In the Middle East, lamb is equally popular, seasoned with various herbs and slow-cooked. The modern air fryer recipe preserves the essence of these traditions, offering a quick and healthy version.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Thyme
In ancient Rome, thyme was burned in temples to purify the air and ward off evil spirits, and Roman soldiers added it to their baths to strengthen their courage. In the Middle Ages, noble ladies embroidered thyme on knights' scarves as a symbol of bravery. The ancient Greeks used it in baths and temples, and its name derives from the Greek 'thymos', meaning 'courage'.
Rosemary
In ancient Rome, rosemary was a symbol of remembrance and fidelity, used in bridal crowns and funeral rites. Legend says that the goddess Venus, emerging from the sea waves, created rosemary.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Cloves
Cloves, the dried buds of the exotic Syzygium aromaticum tree, were one of the most prized spices of the ancient world, often called 'aromatic gold'. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the clove trade, bringing them from the Maluku Islands, the only place they grew, and selling them at exorbitant prices in Europe.
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