Meat & Egg Crafts

Easy Lamb Shoulder Boning – Step-by-Step Guide

Enhance your meat preparation skills with our guide on lamb shoulder boning techniques. Lamb shoulder is perfect for slow braising, slow-cooked curry, casserole, or making stock. Learn how to bone lamb shoulder perfectly using simple steps. Our step-by-step instructions ensure you get the most out of your lamb shoulder.


How to Bone Lamb Shoulder

Equipment Needed:

  • Sharp, stiff knife

Step-by-Step Instructions for Lamb Shoulder Boning Techniques:

  1. Separate the Hock: With a sharp stiff knife, cut through to the joint where the hock piece (the leg) meets the shoulder. Cut away any sinew to reveal the joint and cut through it. Cut the hock away and remove it. The hock is not usually eaten, but it is excellent for making stock.
  2. Locate the Blade Bone: Find the edge of the blade bone, a large, flat, triangular-shaped bone. Use your fingers to feel where the blade bone is situated inside the meat.
  3. Reveal the Blade Bone: Cut down to reveal the blade bone, then steadily scrape away across the surface of the bone, separating it from the meat. Angle the knife so that the edge scrapes across the bone, not into the meat.
  4. Remove the Blade Bone: Once you have revealed the surface of the whole blade bone, cut down each of its long edges. Cut the thin end free of any connective tissue. A sharp knife should easily cut through this soft tissue. Now the blade bone should easily come away.
  5. Remove the Remaining Bone: Next, remove the large bone that ran from the hock to the blade. Cut down to the bone and run the knife along it, following the shape of the bone, to separate it from the meat.
  6. Trim the Fat: Finally, trim away any large pieces of fat from the remaining meat.

Lamb shoulder contains a lot of tissue and fat, making it perfect for dishes with long cooking times. Therefore, knowing how to bone lamb shoulder properly is essential to prepare it for various delicious recipes. With these lamb shoulder boning techniques, you can easily prepare lamb for slow braising, curry, casserole, or stock.

Helpful Hint:

  • Use the removed bones to make a rich, flavorful stock that can be used in various dishes.

Alternative Uses for Boned Lamb Shoulder:

  • Slow Braised Lamb: Use boned lamb shoulder for a tender and flavorful slow braised lamb dish.
  • Lamb Curry: Add boned lamb shoulder to a slow-cooked curry for a rich and hearty meal.
  • Lamb Casserole: Use boned lamb shoulder in a casserole with vegetables and herbs for a comforting dish.