Description

Have you ever wondered why some holiday dinners feel like a royal feast while others just feel like an ordinary Sunday meal? This Roasted Leg of Lamb is a game-changer for home cooks. It is a flavor-packed, tender masterpiece that uses a simple ‘wet rub’ of fresh rosemary, thyme, and garlic to create a beautiful crust while keeping the inside juicy and perfectly pink.

Ingredients

Scale

1 boneless leg of lamb (4 to 5 pounds), tied with kitchen string
1/4 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1 teaspoon lemon zest

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Instructions

Room Temperature: Take the lamb out of the refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking so it cooks evenly.
Prepare the Herb Paste: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and lemon zest into a thick paste.
Season the Lamb: Pat the lamb dry with paper towels. Rub the herb paste all over the meat, getting into all the cracks and folds.
Initial Sear: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place lamb on a wire rack inside a roasting pan. Roast for 15 minutes to sear the outside.
Slow Roast: Reduce oven heat to 325°F. Continue roasting until a meat thermometer reaches 135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium.
The Most Important Step: Remove from oven and cover loosely with foil. Let the lamb rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Notes

Always use a meat thermometer; relying on a timer is risky as every oven is different. Slice against the grain for the most tender bite. If using dried herbs, use 1 tablespoon of dried for every 3 tablespoons of fresh. You can also add potatoes and onions to the bottom of the roasting pan to cook in the lamb drippings.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Oven Roasted
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx 6oz)
Calories: 380
Sugar: 0g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 110mg