Smoked Lamb Neck

 

Smoked lamb neck cooked on walnut wood. Perfect for slow cooking, this tender, shredded meat is taken to a new level with this easy smoking recipe.

Smoked lamb neck

Smoked lamb neck is an unusual cut of meat, but its tender texture and rich lamb flavor make it perfect for slow, low cooking in your smoker or pellet grill.

Smoked BBQ lamb doesn’t have to be complicated, and simplicity is often the key to your smoker or grill. Find out how to smoke lamb neck from scratch, from wet brine to choosing the best wood chips. Let’s grill!

Sliced ​​cutting board with smoked lamb neck

What is the lamb neck?

Lamb neck is a delicate and versatile cut. It’s not the most common cut of meat, but you can find racks of lamb or steaks at most butcher shops and meat counters, often cheaper than other cuts.

Lamb neck can be slow braised or slow cooked, like smoked lamb shoulder , but similarly can be treated like a steak or chop and grilled over high heat or seared upside down. Since adult sheep are large animals, their neck meat is less bony and more versatile for cooking.

How do I buy lamb neck?

Raw lamb neck

While lamb neck isn’t as popular as classic grilled cuts like pork shoulder, brisket, and even lamb shoulder. Many butchers and supermarket chains leave the neck attached to the shoulder when slaughtering, but can separate it if desired.

If someone at your butcher shop has a penchant for comfort food, this is a cut so obscure they’ll want to take it home at the end of the day. This obscurity is also the reason why they are often reasonably priced. If one is also available, SHE can pick it up before cooking and freeze it for later use.

Meat preparation

As with most smoked meats, the preparation goes a long way! Grilling is a relatively uncomplicated process. If you also find the prep work daunting, remember that once the grill is on, there isn’t much you need to do.

First, start with a wet brine consisting of 2 liters of water and 1/2 cup of sea salt or kosher salt, as this is the safest way to prepare smoked lamb neck. The brine causes the muscles to break down as they cook, allowing the surrounding fats to permeate and protect the meat with moisture.

Dip the lamb neck in a brine bucket with the wet brine and refrigerate overnight. Pat dry with a paper towel or rag and sprinkle some black pepper on top. A little garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper might be welcome, but there’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple.

A simpler alternative to wet saline is a dry saline solution(or dry rub) applied 2 to 24 hours in advance, depending on time constraints. This approach doesn’t break down the lamb neck as much internally, but it still penetrates a bit and you get plenty of flavor.

A store-bought dry rub is an option, but try using 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt and a smaller serving of black pepper to make it easier with homemade ingredients. Again, garlic powder, cumin, and fresh herbs can be added to your dry brine if you want a variation.

The best wood for smoking lamb neck

Hickory works best with game meats like a smoked lamb neck. Its intense flavor compared to other complementary woods has characteristics of lamb’s neck and back, making it a perfect match. Applewood tends to add a lighter flavor but is a solid substitute in a pinch.

Times and temperatures

Now that YOU have the preparations in place, roasting YOUR lamb neck is the biggest but easiest part. Whether you used dry sea or wet sea, remove the prepared neck from the refrigerator an hour to two hours before grilling.

Place the lamb neck, uncovered, in a smoker set at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking uncovered gives it time to develop a delicious crust that adds texture to the meat.

So cook for 2.5 hours, then cover tightly with aluminum foil on a rimmed baking tray or hotel tray to catch any juice that may escape. Cook for a further 2-3 hours until the meat falls off the bone and can be easily detached.

Frequently asked questions

By now you should have a good idea of ​​how to smoke a lamb neck, but in case you missed something, here are the answers to some common questions.

How to serve smoked lamb neck

While you can slice the meat, a more common preparation is to “season” the meat like pork. Use a knife to remove tough bits from the bone and then two forks to shred/pull the tender meat. Serve as is with side dishes or place on a bun for a delicious sandwich!

How to reheat smoked lamb neck

If you have the lamb neck before freezing, you can toss it in a saucepan topped with a splash of water and your favorite BBQ sauce. Alternatively, break off lamb necks to add a smoky note to soups and stews. 

Smoked lamb neck

Smoked lamb neck seasoned with garlic and cumin before being slowly cooked over hickory. The best way to enjoy that underrated cut of lamb.
Course dinner, main course
American cuisine , BBQ
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 3 hours
Total time 3 hours 10 minutes
Serving 4

Gear

  • Salzheimer
  • Walnut wood

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lamb neck

Wet sole

  • 2 liters of water
  • ½ cup kosher salt

Dry massage

  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions

Wet sole

  • Pour the water and kosher salt into the brine bucket and stir to dissolve the salt.
  • Submerge the lamb neck in the brine pail, making sure the meat is completely submerged in the brine. Place the bucket in the refrigerator and leave overnight.

Rub dry seasoning

  • Remove the lamb from the brine and rinse with water. Pat dry with baking paper.
  • Cut the neck of the roast into steaks, each at least ½ inch thick.
  • On a small tattoo, combine dry dressing ingredients. Use a fork to remove or mash any lumps.
  • Apply a generous amount of the dry matter to the lamb neck. Apply on all sides, working into any cracks or creases in the meat.

Roast meat

  • The next day, turn your smoker on to 120°C. If you are using a charcoal grill, make sure the grill is set to 2-Zone Indirect Grilling.
  • Place the lamb on the smoker grates or on the indirect side of your charcoal grill. Place wood chips on the coals or wood tray and close the lid.
  • Smoke 2 ½ hours or until internal temperature is 63°C(145°F).
  • Remove the lamb neck from the smoker and place on new foil. Leave for 20-30 minutes.
  • Served as steaks or pluck meat with forks

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