Spiced roasted leg of lamb is the ultimate showstopper: a tender, succulent roast infused with fresh herbs and warm spices. Coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, and allspice build a marinade that penetrates deep into the meat overnight. It's surprisingly simple to achieve perfection.
Ready to create a meal that will have everyone talking? This Spiced Roasted Leg of Lamb is the ultimate showstopper. Imagine a tender, succulent roast, infused with a vibrant blend of fresh herbs and warm spices, filling your home with an irresistible aroma. It’s not just a dish; it’s an experience, and this recipe makes it surprisingly simple to achieve perfection.
Ingredients
• For the Marinade
• 1/3 cup / 15 g (0.53 oz) fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground coriander
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground cumin
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/3 cup / 80 ml olive oil
• For the Lamb
• 1 5 lb / 2.27 kg grass-fed, bone-in leg of lamb
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Create the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine the chopped parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest, ground coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, allspice, and olive oil. Stir until it forms a thick, fragrant paste.
3. Prepare the Lamb: Pat the entire leg of lamb completely dry with paper towels. Using your hands, rub the marinade paste evenly over every surface of the meat, working it into any crevices.
4. Marinate for Flavor: Place the coated lamb in a large dish or a resealable bag. Cover or seal tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
5. Temper the Meat: Remove the lamb from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you plan to cook. Letting it come to room temperature ensures more even roasting.
6. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F / 177°C with a rack in the center position. Place a greased metal rack inside a large roasting pan.
7. Roast to Perfection: Position the leg of lamb on the rack, fat-side up. Transfer to the oven and roast for 75 to 90 minutes. For even browning, rotate the pan halfway through the cooking time.
8. Check for Doneness: The most reliable way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer. For a perfect medium-rare, the internal temperature should read 135°F / 57°C when inserted into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone.
9. Rest the Roast: This step is crucial! Remove the lamb from the oven, transfer it to a cutting board, and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender result.
10. Carve and Serve: Carve the lamb against the grain into beautiful slices and serve immediately to your delighted guests.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition (Per Serving)
• Calories: 610
• Fat: 29.6 g
• Fiber: 0.7 g
Pro Tips
• Score the Fat: Before applying the marinade, use a sharp knife to make shallow, diamond-shaped cuts across the fat cap. This helps the fat render beautifully and allows the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat.
• Trust the Thermometer: Don’t guess! A reliable instant-read meat thermometer is the best tool to guarantee your lamb is cooked to your desired doneness without overcooking.
• Make a Pan Gravy: Don’t let those flavorful drippings go to waste! After removing the lamb to rest, place the roasting pan over medium heat, whisk in a tablespoon of flour, and then slowly pour in some beef or chicken broth to create a delicious, simple gravy.
FAQ
Q: How long should I marinate the leg of lamb
A: For the best flavor, you should marinate the leg of lamb in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Marinating it overnight is preferable to allow the spices to deeply penetrate the meat.
Q: What is the ideal internal temperature for medium-rare lamb
A: The ideal internal temperature for a medium-rare leg of lamb is 135°F (57°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone, for an accurate reading.
Q: Why is it important to rest the lamb after roasting
A: Resting the lamb for 15-20 minutes is a crucial step. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the roast, which ensures every slice is moist, tender, and flavorful.
Q: Can I make a gravy from the pan drippings
A: Yes, you can easily make a delicious pan gravy. After removing the lamb to rest, place the roasting pan on the stove over medium heat, whisk in a tablespoon of flour, and then slowly add beef or chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency.
Pro Tips
- Score the fat cap with shallow diamond-shaped cuts before rubbing on the marinade — it helps the fat render beautifully and lets the spices penetrate deeper.
- Marinate the lamb for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, in a sealed bag or covered dish so the flavors deeply penetrate the meat.
- Pull the leg from the fridge 30 minutes before roasting so it comes to room temperature and cooks more evenly.
- Roast at 350°F / 177°C on a rack in the pan for 75-90 minutes, rotating the pan halfway, until the thickest part (avoiding bone) reads 135°F / 57°C for medium-rare.
- Rest the roast 15-20 minutes under loose foil; for a keto-friendly pan gravy, simmer the drippings with a splash of beef or chicken broth instead of flour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I marinate the leg of lamb?
At least 8 hours in the refrigerator, and overnight if you can. The garlic, parsley, and warm spice paste needs time to reach the center of a bone-in roast.
Is spiced roasted leg of lamb keto-friendly?
Yes — each of the eight servings has about 2g of carbohydrates with 56g of protein and 29.6g of fat. The marinade is herbs, spices, lemon zest, and olive oil.
What internal temperature should the roast reach?
135°F / 57°C in the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone, for medium-rare after 75-90 minutes at 350°F / 177°C — plus the crucial 15-20 minute rest.
What can I do with the pan drippings?
Place the roasting pan over medium heat and simmer the drippings with beef or chicken broth for a quick gravy. For a keto version, skip the flour and let it reduce naturally.
Recipe card below.
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Spiced Roasted Leg of Lamb
Ingredients
Method
- Directions
- Create the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine the chopped parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest, ground coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, allspice, and olive oil.
- Stir until it forms a thick, fragrant paste.
- Prepare the Lamb: Pat the entire leg of lamb completely dry with paper towels.
- Using your hands, rub the marinade paste evenly over every surface of the meat, working it into any crevices.
- Marinate for Flavor: Place the coated lamb in a large dish or a resealable bag.
- Cover or seal tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Temper the Meat: Remove the lamb from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you plan to cook.
- Letting it come to room temperature ensures more even roasting.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F / 177°C with a rack in the center position.
- Place a greased metal rack inside a large roasting pan.
- Roast to Perfection: Position the leg of lamb on the rack, fat-side up.
- Transfer to the oven and roast for 75 to 90 minutes. For even browning, rotate the pan halfway through the cooking time.
- Check for Doneness: The most reliable way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer. For a perfect medium-rare, the internal temperature should read 135°F / 57°C when inserted into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone.
- Rest the Roast: This step is crucial!
- Remove the lamb from the oven, transfer it to a cutting board, and tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender result.
- Carve and Serve: Carve the lamb against the grain into beautiful slices and serve immediately to your delighted guests.
