Easy 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Roast Lamb is tender, delicious, and prepared in seconds. Once you try this slow-cooked leg of lamb you will be amazed at how easy it is. Readers often can’t believe the recipe is so simple and has no added liquid!
Easy 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Roast Lamb is an effortless, moist, velvety, fall-apart, delicious way to cook a bone-in half leg of lamb. You can also do a small whole leg in a bigger slow cooker.
Table of contents
- Origins of this Slow Cooker Roast Lamb
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Lamb Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do You Need to Brown the Lamb Before Slow Cooking?
- Do You Need to Add Any Liquid?
- How Long Does a 1 KG Half Leg of Lamb Take to Cook in a Slow Cooker?
- How Long Does a 2 KG Leg of Lamb Take to Cook in a Slow Cooker?
- How Can Tell When the Lamb is Cooked?
- How Can You Add Extra Flavour?
- Can You Use a Boneless Leg of Lamb?
- Can You Use Another Type of Stock Cube
- What Can You Make With Leftover Lamb?
- How to Serve Slow Cooker Lamb Roast
- Serving Suggestions
- Side Dish Suggestions
- More Slow Cooker Recipes Using Red Meat
- Summary
Origins of this Slow Cooker Roast Lamb
They say that “Necessity is the mother of all invention” and that’s exactly how this recipe came about.
It was a swelteringly hot summer’s day and I was tired as I was recovering from a virus. Hence. I didn’t want to switch my oven on or create lots of washing up doing a Sunday roast.
So instead of roasting the lamb and potatoes etc in the oven, I decided a less messy and cooler option would be to use the slow cooker. Then I could air fry some roast potatoes, boil/steam some vegetables, and make some gravy.
In the past, I have made cuts into the lamb joint and inserted garlic cloves and fresh rosemary.
However, this was one of those days where even the bare minimum was a huge effort.
Hence, I decided my husband’s idea of just sprinkling over a lamb stock cube for flavour enhancement sounded the way to go.
We were all in food heaven eating our lamb Sunday roast. The meat was juicy and falling off the bone while the stock cube enhanced the lamb flavour!
However, the best thing about using a stock cube was the lovely golden crust it gave the lamb leg. It just looked like it had been roasted in the oven!
I was happy not to have messed up my oven with all the lamb fat and there were no cumbersome roasting tins to wash up.
Summer or winter I will be using the slow cooker to roast all my half lamb legs from now on!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Lamb Recipe
- It takes seconds to prepare.
- Uses only 2 ingredients.
- Using a slow cooker aka Crockpot gives perfectly juicy, tender lamb every time whereas oven-roasted lamb can be dry.
- Saves on energy (if serving with cold food).
- It’s the perfect meal for special occasions (Easter, Christmas, etc), a dinner party, or an easy mid-week meal (see serving suggestions below).
- Keeps your kitchen cooler in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need to Brown the Lamb Before Slow Cooking?
No, there’s no need to sear the lamb before slow cooking as the stock cube acts like a dry rub and forms a lovely golden finish to the skin.
Do You Need to Add Any Liquid?
No, there is no stock or water added, the leg of lamb creates juices as the connective tissue breaks down to render beautifully tender meat.
How Long Does a 1 KG Half Leg of Lamb Take to Cook in a Slow Cooker?
On high 3 1/2 – 4 hours and low 7 – 8 hours.
How Long Does a 2 KG Leg of Lamb Take to Cook in a Slow Cooker?
On high 5 – 6 hours and low 9 – 10 hours.
How Can Tell When the Lamb is Cooked?
You could use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature but that’s not a method I’ve ever used.
The easiest way to check is to insert a 2 pronged cook’s fork into the lamb which should glide in.
The meat should also flake away from the surface when pulled.
How Can You Add Extra Flavour?
You can pierce holes into the lamb leg with a small sharp knife, insert garlic cloves (sliced in half lengthways) and fresh rosemary, and then top with the crumbled stock cube.
Can You Use a Boneless Leg of Lamb?
It’s best to use the bone-in leg of lamb as the bone adds flavour and juiciness to the meat. It’s also more economical.
Can You Use Another Type of Stock Cube
Yes, I’ve used vegetable and beef stock cubes when I’ve run out of lamb stock cubes.
What Can You Make With Leftover Lamb?
If you have any slow-cooked roast lamb left over you should make my Lamb Burning Love or Shepherd’s Pie.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Lamb Roast
You can either carve it into thick slices or pull the meat. It will fall apart easily.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as part of a roast dinner with gravy, mint sauce, or Gooseberry, Apple and Mint Jelly.
- Garnish sliced lamb with fresh herbs and serve with a Greek Salad, stuffed vine leaves, etc.
- Use to make kebabs and fill them with sliced lamb, shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes, red onion, pickled chilli peppers, and sauce of your choice.
Side Dish Suggestions
Need a delicious side dish or 2 to serve with this slow cooked lamb recipe? Check out the following recipes:
- Crispy Coated Roast Potatoes
- Actifry Roast Potatoes
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
- Simple Ratatouille
- Honey Roast Parsnips and Carrots
- Easy Crushed Minted Peas with Shallots
More Slow Cooker Recipes Using Red Meat
I know you’ll love my easy 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Roast Lamb which is perfect to throw together before you go out for the day.
For more delicious slow-cooked meat recipes check out the following:
- Slow Cooked Pulled Lamb with White Wine & Root Vegetables – Fab Food 4 All
- Slow Cooker Shoulder of Lamb with Apricot & Chestnut Stuffing – Fab Food 4 All
- 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Gammon – Fab Food 4 All
- Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with Onion Gravy – Fab Food 4 All
- Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Fab Food 4 All
- Slow Cooked Beef & Butternut Squash – Fab Food 4 All
- Beef in Beer – Fab Food 4 All
- Poor Man’s Crispy Duck (Pulled Hoisin Pork Tortillas) – Fab Food 4 All
- Slow Cooker Roast Pork with Sage & Onion – BakingQueen74
- Sweet & Sour Slow Cooked Pork – Recipes Made Easy
Summary
If you’re tired and want really good roast lamb, with velvety, fall-apart meat, that requires no effort, then 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Roast Lamb is for you!
Do you think the recipe is too good to be true? Then take a look at all the wonderful comments below.
No wonder this recipe is so popular!
Pin Easy 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Roast Lamb for later!
Leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe; I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.
Easy 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Roast Lamb
Ingredients
- 1 kg ½ leg of lamb (for bigger joint see notes below)
- 1 lamb stock cube
Instructions
- Place lamb joint in the slow cooker and crumble over stock cube.
- Place lid on and cook for 3 ½ to 4 hours on high or 7 to 8 hours on low or until tender.
- Remove the lamb from the slow cooker and on a board, pull the meat with 2 forks or carve it thickly. (You can rest the lamb under a layer of foil if making gravy).
- Serve with roasted vegetables and gravy or as part of Greek style meal with salads etc.
Anne Frankland
Done this 2 ingredient with lamb and now also pork! Works a treat and makes the best juiciest pulled pork ever! Now I will try with beef silverside and a topside roast together in the slow cooker….each rubbed with a stock cube 😉
Camilla
Awesome Anne, do let me know how you get on. You might like this 2 ingredient slow cooker pulled pork too which tastes like crispy duck: https://www.fabfood4all.co.uk/poor-mans-crispy-duck-pulled-hoisin-pork-tortillas/
Alexi
Hi Camilla,
If doing 2kg I’m guessing you double the amount of stock cube powder? Also just thinking about the timing of cooking as I will put it on overnight..do you think it will matter of it stays on for closer to 12 hours or would you just cook for the 10 and turn the cooker to warm setting?
Camilla
Hi Alexi, you can double the stock cube or 1.5 might be enough. I would cook for 9 – 10 hrs and then switch to warm setting.
Alexi Parbs
Ok great thanks. Also I just have stock powder in a tin not in a cube. Do you know what 1 cube is equivalent to in teaspoons?
Camilla
If it’s powder I’d just sprinkle a thin layer over the top, you can’t really get this wrong.
Patrick Sparrow
Just popped the Lamb chump joint in the slow cooker on low (6am) made myself a cup of tea and jumped back into bed. Lunch sorted.
Camilla
Awesome, we had our tonight, took a bit longer than usual as joint was bigger:-)
Adam Porter
Ah I was worried and sneaky so I threw a heap of garlic and onions in the bottom of the slow cooker with a wee 200ml of chicken stock and seared all sides in a pan covered in salt and pepper. Did it on 6 hours on high and it fell apart and my Queen and Princesses were delighted! Sorry for going off recipe. I’m 100% sure now all would have been fine lol. But thank you for the confident recipe to do it on high for 6 hours! A 2.5kg Irish leg of lamb. Was delish!
Camilla
LOL Adam, and if you’d have added another 200 ml of white wine then you were almost in the territory of my other lush lamb dish: https://www.fabfood4all.co.uk/slow-cooked-pulled-lamb-with-white-wine-root-vegetables/ Always read the comments if sceptical and you’ll see that a recipe works (or doesn’t). Glad you enjoyed you lamb:-)
Kira Keegan
I couldn’t believe how tasty this was with only 2 ingredients. I’m ashamed to say I doubted the recipe and thought it was too simple to taste any good (and also that it must need liquid), but I wanted to use the slow cooker so I decided I’d give it a go anyway. I’m so glad I did! I’m happy to say I was very very wrong! I’ll never do slow cooker lamb any other way in future. Thanks for the great idea!
Camilla
Thank you, hat’s so wonderful to hear Kira. You might like to check out my 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Gammon which is equally easy:-) https://www.fabfood4all.co.uk/2-ingredient-slow-cooker-pulled-gammon/
shirley mcneil
I’m definitely going to do this today. I’ve never trued it without liquid, so will give you some feedback. Can’t wait.
Camilla
Great Shirley, hope you enjoyed your lamb:-)
Deb Anderson
Tried this today. Never have I eaten lamb as tender as this was. Thankyou
Camilla
Wonderful Deb, so glad you like the recipe:-)
John
Camilla, does it need a lamb stock cube or can a stock pot be used?
Camilla
I think a stock pot would be a bit wet but if it’s all you have then use it. I didn’t have lamb so used a beef stock cube at Easter which worked just as well:-)
Leslie Donkin
Best lamb I have ever tasted … many thanks for the recipe
Camilla
So happy to hear that Leslie, thank you for your feedback:-)
Calummaciver
I’m going to try that
Camilla
Great, let me know what you think:-)
Calummaciver
I’m going to try it tomorrow
Camilla
Excellent, hope you enjoyed it!
Tanya
Hi – did you not need to add any liquid to the slow cooker?
Many thanks
Camilla
Hi Tanya, no the liquid comes from the lamb as it cooks.
Andy
Hi Camilla
Just used your recipe with a twist as well as the Garlic used mint on top turned out great
Camilla
Yay Andy, so glad you like the recipe and added your own touch:-)
Rachel
Just cooked this for new year dinner. Amazing. Can’t believe how tender and tasty with just two ingredients. Will definitely be ding this again
Camilla
Thank you. so glad you liked the recipe, a lot of people had this today.
Ellen
So much to do, so little time. It was great to have this cooking in a nanosecond. I didn’t have any stock cubes, so I sprinkled onion soup mix generously on it.
I made quick cous cous to go with it and used the drippings to moisten and flavour the cous cous instead of butter in the last step. Success!
(Otherwise I’d save it for a soup base or risotto.)
Camilla
Thank you Ellen, what a great substitution to use Onion Soup mix:-)
Francesca
Beautifully tender. Gave it the love! Placed on a bed of medium carrots, parsnips whole garlic and onions cut in half. Sprinkled stock cube fresh rosemary and threw in some bay leaves. Half cup water in base. Only needed 5 hours cooking. So test around this time as a guide.0 1.8 kg weight. At end of cooking scooped the stock out and added a little cornflour to thicken stock on stove. Sol tender!
Camilla
You’d probably love my Slow Cooked Pulled Lamb with White Wine & Vegetables too:-) https://www.fabfood4all.co.uk/slow-cooked-pulled-lamb-with-white-wine-root-vegetables/
Elaine Wright
Hi ,I know this recipe has been on awhile but looks and sounds great,I have a boneless piece from butchers in a rosemary sauce, do you know how long it could take please, thanks Elaine
Camilla
Hi Elaine, I don’t know the weight of your lamb but you could take a look at my Slow Cooker Shoulder of Lamb with stuffing and use it as a guide/adjust. Just don’t put your joint in the oven at the end.https://www.fabfood4all.co.uk/slow-cooker-shoulder-welshlamb-apricot-chestnut-stuffing/
Gilly Setterfield
I love my slow cooker, doing lamb today, my cat likes a bit too, so easy, I’ve got beef for tomorrow so will do it in slow cooker, your recipe is so brilliant
Camilla
Excellent Gilly, so glad you like the recipe, enjoy with your cat:-)
Pippy
Put quartered onions and cubed potatoes in the slow cooker for the lamb to sit on and add a cup of chicken stock………. delicious
Camilla
Glad you enjoyed it and made it your own:-)
Jacko
I’ve cooked beef joints in my slow cooker. I suggest fo cook it on low and put joint on a layer of onion,garlic and carrots with a little gravy/liquid other wise it can become too dry.
Janet Speirs
Can I just use the same instructions for a rolled shoulder of lamb joint?
thanks
Camilla
I’ve never tried it with a rolled shoulder so couldn’t vouch for the timing on that but I imagine it would work. I’d Google timings for a slow cooked rolled shoulder if I was you to double check. Not sure a rolled shoulder would have the same outer layer of fat so the finished result might look different too.
Janet Speirs
Thanks Camilla but lack of fat isn’t an issue owing to health problems….
Just sounded so easy..
Cheers
Janet
Suse telford
Thank you camilla , were on a staycation in north Devon so put ours on this morning for lamb wraps, tzatziki and salad for our dinner tonight after we get back from the beach! It’s sooooooo tender xxx ‘ansome
Camilla
Awesome Suse, glad you enjoyed it on your holiday, that sounds delicious:-)
Amy
Hi,
Could I do this with a beef joint in a slow cooker? Do you need liquid? My oven is broke and an engineer isn’t coming until Tuesday. I would live a roast and would prefer beef. Many thanks Amy
Camilla
Hi Amy, I did experiment with a beef joint once but it wasn’t great. I think you need a bone for the meat to be succulent like this lamb. But if your oven has broken down then you could do this. Once you have the gravy and trimmings with it it won’t be bad and carve it thinly as it was on the tough side (but you could cook it less long too). It just wasn’t good enough to blog but it was edible.
Camilla
And no you don’t need any liquid. I would put some halved onions in the bottom which would be good!
May
Omg! This was the best lamb roast that i’ve ever had, hubby too, it’s so quick and easy, ill never cook it any other way, thanks so much for sharing this recipe.
Camilla
Yay May, I know, it’s the best way to cook roast lamb isn’t it:-)
Vicky
Could you do this with lamb chump?
Camilla
Hi Vicky, I’m afraid I don’t know as that’s not even a cut of lamb I’m familiar with. I think the bone is important for keeping this roast succulent and so my gut instinct would be no but I could be wrong!
Sheila
Good morning! Just about to try out this 2ingredient leg of lamb recipe! It’s just under 1kg…how long cooking in slow cooker on “low” setting please? Many thanks & have a great day
Camilla
Hi Sheila the recipe is for a 1 Kg half leg of lamb so just follow the instructions and you’ll be fine, just check after the shorter amount of time.
Lucy
I want to make this tomorrow, I have a 1kg half leg with the bone in.. do I still need to do it for 8 hours on low?
Thanks
Camilla
Yes that’s exactly what I use in the recipe so 7 – 8 hrs on low:-)
Jonathan
Just made this for Sunday lunch, it was fantastic. Really pleased with how it came out so full of flavour and tender. The Left over juices also helped make a good gravy. Some mint sauce on the side and roast potatoes, yum, the family were very happy. I am sooo doing this recipe again. Thanks for the recipe!
Camilla
Thank you for your feedback Jonathan, it is such a winner of a recipe isn’t it:-)
Mr Bev HOLDING
Hi Camilla,
Have used this recipe many times with great success. I’m now wanting to use a full 2kg leg ( having bought a 6.5l slow cooker),. please could you advise me of the revised cooking times.
Many thanks
Bev
Camilla
Hi Bev, I would say it would be 5 – 6 hrs on high or 9 – 10 hrs on low.
Mr Bev HOLDING
Many thanks
Camilla
Pleasure, I’ve also added the info to the post:-)
holly rheachel
I can’t find lamb cubes what else can I make it with
Camilla
I’m sure beef would be fine or veg failing that.
Sally
So no liquid is required for slow cooking this lamb ?
Camilla
That’s correct.
Maxine
Have just done this with the actrify roasties
OMG!!
So delicious & so easy
Thank you x
Camilla
Yay, glad you liked it, thank you for your feedback:-)
Sandra Slater
I also sprinkle beef stock cube on roast potatoes.
My mums recipe for lamb was cover lamb in English mustard then add brown sugar. Oh so good!!
Camilla
Fab, I put a seasoned semolina mix on our roast spuds https://www.fabfood4all.co.uk/crispy-coated-roast-potatoes/ . Your mum’s lamb sounds similar to what I do with our gammon at Christmas so bet that tastes good:-)
Bettylou Ackerson
I’ve just read your receipe for doing lamb in the crockpot. I’ve never heard of lamb stock cube. Must be something British. Can I use a beef cube. We only have chicken and beef where I live Will this work
Camilla
Hi Bettylou yes I’m sure a beef stock cube would work just as well!
Terry Anderson
It has started burningbmy lamb after about an hour, what should I do? Please help
Camilla
Hi Terry, I’ve never heard of this happening and this is my most popular recipe. Do you have a metal crockpot as opposed to porcelain? If you had it on high I would turn down to low also.
Cas
Tried this for Sunday roast with family.
Was perfect. All meat being done like that in future..
so easy.
Thank you
Camilla
Excellent Cas, so glad you like it. It doesn’t work with normal roast beef I should warn you (a bit tough, I tried), so brisket would be the one to pick if wanting beef! Chicken also fine, you just don’t get a crispy skin.
Stuart
Hi. Made this yesterday and it was delicious.
Thank you.
Was wondering could you do a similar thing with a beef roasting joint with a beef stock cube?
Camilla
Hi Stuart, I did actually try this without much success, it was edible but sweaty & tough from memory. I think the bone in the lamb is the difference.
Joanna Wood
Do you not need to add water?
Camilla
No, it really is that simple:-)
Elspeth
Brilliant just enjoyed this lamb pot roast
Camilla
Excellent, it’s such and easy and delicious recipe:-)
Michaela
Can this be done without stock cubes? Im unable to get any and im cooking it tomorrow
Camilla
Yes, it just won’t have the nice brown roasted look though which the stock cubes help with.
Jim hobson
I have a tower 3 .5 L slow cooker. Instuctions say about half full with liquid. Far too much for me , can i do it with less when cooking a small lamb shoulder?
Camilla
Hi Jim, you’ve totally confused me. There is no liquid in this recipe, just lamb and a stock cube. So just put a piece of lamb in that fits your slow cooker, I imagine half a leg would still fit.
Grace
I have a 5lb Ham, can I put this ham in a 6 quart slow cooker for how lone and is there 2 ingrediance to add!. Please respond..thank you!
Camilla
Hi, I wanted to give you a link to a friend’s Easy slow cooker gammon recipe but the blog no longer exists. But from memory all you did was pour over a can of pineapple chunks onto the gammon and coo (I used to make it often). I’m sure you can Google for the cooking time easily enough:-)
Fran Scholey
Do i need to add water are just cook with nothing
Camilla
No, it just cooks in it’s own moisture:-)
Normski
Would adding red wine to this work well
Camilla
I would steer you to this recipe which is lush and uses white wine so I’m sure you could sub for red wine! https://www.fabfood4all.co.uk/slow-cooked-pulled-lamb-with-white-wine-root-vegetables/
Gina Grantham
Looking forward to doing this tomorrow, however I was unable to get lamb stock cubes. I have beef or vegetable cubes in the cupboard, what do you think?
Camilla
Hi Gina, you could probably use either, but I might err towards the vegetable stock cube.
Robert Price
I love lamb
Camilla
We had this today, so good:-)
Emma Topp
Recipes with few ingredients are a life saver when you aren’t very good in the kitchen so thank you!
Camilla
Thanks Emma, it’s all just practice at the end of the day and lots of recipes need minimal skill. Currently teaching my son before he heads off to uni:-)
Lynn Heath
I’ve never done lamb in the slow cooker before, I’ll give this a try soon!
Camilla
You’re going to love it Lynn-)
Kay sale
My slow cooker is probably the most used bit of kitchen equipment have
Camilla
They are great, hubby rustling up a slow cooker beef stew as I type:-)
Patrick Karuu
Very delicious. Thanks for sharing
Tina Deacon
I love slow cookers they are amazing I really should use it more often, I’ve done a beef in it but not Lamb so will have to try this
Camilla
They are great aren’t they;-)
sandy ralph
oh my favorite meat, and this looks delicious
Camilla
Thanks Sandy, it really is-)
Lucy
Great idea to cook your lamb joint in the slow cooker for the summer and beat the heat!
Camilla
Thanks Lucy, it really is-)
Anna Johnston
Hey there, I just came across your blog & am having fun reading your awesome recipes. Not a big fan of lamb (kinda weird as I grew up on a sheep farm…. long story..lol), but I love the idea of slow cooking a roast. Looks really delish and I can relate on not wanting to waste sunshine hours in the kitchen in summer too.
Camilla
Thank you, glad you found me:-)
Amy Fidler
Can’t beat slow cooked Lamb x
Camilla
You really can’t Amy:-)
Richard Eldred Hawes
Looks like something I must try in my slow cooker
Camilla
You really should Richard:-)
Janice
There’s no doubt that the slow cooker is perfect for joints of meat, and with ‘pulled’ everything being so popular now it’s a must. I also have one of those fancy fat separating jugs and agree that it’s great for getting the juices for gravy.
Camilla
Hubby did actually carve the meat but of course it just fall apart as so tender. I don’t have one of those fancy jugs so really need to get one as my turkey baster died on my and split!
Munchiesandmunchkins
I love using my slow cooker for meat joints. So easy and lots of flavour. Your lamb sounds simple and delicious .
Camilla
Thanks Becky, yes slow cookers rock:-)