Slow-cooker lamb kleftiko with potatoes
This slow cooker version of Greek lamb kleftiko is cooked for 9 hours, resulting in beautifully tender meat that falls off the bone.
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1.4 kilogram lamb shoulder
- 1 kilogram red- and white-skinned baby potatoes
- 1 large (200g) brown onion, sliced thinly
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/3 cup (80ml) dry white wine
- 1/3 cup (80ml) chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rind
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon rigani (see tips) or dried oregano
- 3 clove garlic, crushed
- 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh oregano leaves
- Heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat; cook lamb, turning, for 20 minutes or until well browned.
- Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a 4.5-litre (18-cup) slow cooker on Sauté (Medium) setting; cook potatoes, onion, bay leaves and cinnamon, stirring, for 10 minutes or until browned.
- Place lamb on top of potatoes in cooker. Combine wine, stock, rind, juice, rigani and garlic in a small jug; pour over lamb. Cook, covered, on Low, for 9 hours or until meat is falling off the bone.
- Serve lamb kleftiko with potatoes and a little cooking liquid. Sprinkle with fresh oregano.
A handful of simple flavourings, including lemon and garlic, turn into something amazing with the magic of the slow cooker. Are you looking for more Greek recipes or slow cooker lamb ideas?
Method
Heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat; cook lamb, turning, for 20 minutes or until well browned.
Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a 4.5-litre (18-cup) slow cooker on Sauté (Medium) setting; cook potatoes, onion, bay leaves and cinnamon, stirring, for 10 minutes or until browned. Place lamb on top of potatoes in cooker.
Combine wine, stock, rind, juice, rigani and garlic in a small jug; pour over lamb. Cook, covered, on Low, for 9 hours or until meat is falling off the bone.
Serve lamb kleftiko with potatoes and a little cooking liquid. Sprinkle with fresh oregano.
What to serve with kleftiko
Accompany the lamb kleftiko with a Greek salad or steamed continental beans and lemon halves, if desired.
Cooking lamb in the slow cooker
Depending on the size and shape of your slow cooker, you may be able to brown the lamb in the cooker for step 1, if you prefer.
What is rigani? Rigani is Greek-style dried oregano and it is available from specialty food stores and delicatessens. You can use dried oregano for this kleftiko recipe instead, if you like.
What is kleftiko? Kleftiko is a traditional slow-roasted Greek dish of meat and potatoes.
It is most often made with lamb shoulder, though does not have to be (some versions use goat). It is usually cooked in parchment paper to trap in the juices and aromatics, which we have replaced with the slow cooker here.